Rama is the hero of the Ramayana and the seventh avatar of Vishnu. The epic follows his exile from Ayodhya, his separation from his wife Sita, and his campaign against the demon king Ravana, ending with the restoration of justice and rightful rule.
Rama is celebrated as maryada purushottama, often translated as the ideal or exemplary person. He is associated with dharma, self-control, loyalty, and kingship. His allies include his brother Lakshmana, the devoted Hanuman, and the vanara forces that help him reach Lanka and defeat Ravana.
Rama should not be confused with Krishna, another major Vishnu avatar, or with Parashurama, the earlier axe-bearing avatar who briefly encounters him in the Ramayana. Rama’s birth is celebrated during Rama Navami, while stories of his return to Ayodhya help shape Diwali traditions. The Ramayana exists in many regional and religious versions, but Rama’s role as its central hero is consistent.