A visit between Dawn to Dusk! A visit to all three Ranganatha Swamy Temples on the same day between sunrise and sunset! Aren’t you excited right now to go on Triranga Darshan in one day! It is believed a visit to three Sriranganatha Swamy temples between dawn to dusk called “Triranga Darshan”
Bharathiyam was first conceived on March 14, 2000, as a seed idea — long before India’s cultural heritage found a home online. Though the domain was registered on that very day, its deeper blossoming required 25 years of experience, inner churning, and karmic purification.
Moksha Ranganatha Swamy: The Gateway to Liberation
Moksha Ranganatha Swamy: The Gateway to Liberation
Moksha Ranganatha Swamy Temple at Rangasthala (also called Thippenahalli or Dinnehosahalli). Over time, Rangasthala has come to be called a Moksha Sthalam — a place where devotees believe the journey of worship culminates in liberation. Legend, Etymology, and the Path to Moksha The name “Moksha Ranganatha” itself reveals the temple’s spiritual purpose.
The Divine Child Who Blesses Couples with Children
The Divine Child Who Blesses Couples with Children
In the serene village of Dodda Mallur, near Channapatna in Ramanagara district, stands one of the most enchanting temples of Karnataka — the Sri Aprameya Swamy Temple, home to the rare and beloved deity of Ambegalu Krishna, the crawling child form of Lord Sri Krishna.
Deepavali — The Festival of Light and Inner Illumination
Deepavali — The Festival of Light and Inner Illumination
The word Deepavali comes from Sanskrit — Dipa meaning “lamp” and Avali meaning “a row.” Thus, Deepavali means “a row of lights.” But beyond the luminous lamps and joyous celebrations, lies a profound spiritual symbolism
Vedic Stories Sacred Stories of the Vedas – Light from the Dawn of Time The Vedas are not mere scriptures — they are living rivers of wisdom flowing through the ages. Hidden within their hymns and mantras are stories that reveal the origins of creation, the deeds of devas and rishis, and the eternal play of dharma.
Every civilization is born, grows, declines, and often disappears into the pages of history. Yet Bharat, the land sanctified by rishis, rivers, and the rhythm of Sanātana Dharma, stands apart. It is not merely a civilization of the past but a living continuum that has nourished countless generations, adapting to time yet never losing its eternal pulse.
When we think of the great epics of India, the Ramayana and Mahabharata immediately come to mind. Yet Bharat’s cultural landscape is woven with dozens of regional epics—oral, written, and sung—that have shaped local identities and carried the wisdom of dharma into every corner of the subcontinent. These epics, though lesser known outside their regions, are as profound as the pan-Indian narratives, reflecting the diversity and richness of Sanātana Dharma. They remind us that the epic spirit is not confined to Ayodhya or Kurukshetra but flows through every river and valley of Bharat.
What Are Regional Epics?
Regional epics are long narratives of heroes, saints, or deities composed in local languages and transmitted through oral traditions, folk performances, and ballads. They often carry the essence of dharma, justice, and devotion, but rooted in local contexts—celebrating village heroes, warrior saints, or divine incarnations unique to a region.
While the Ramayana and Mahabharata present universal archetypes, regional epics show how communities reinterpret dharma in their own landscapes, languages, and histories.
Silappadikaram (Tamil Nadu)
One of the earliest regional epics, the Silappadikaram (The Tale of the Anklet), was composed in Tamil around the 2nd century CE. It tells the tragic story of Kannagi, a chaste woman whose husband Kovalan is wrongly executed by the Pandya king. In righteous fury, Kannagi burns down the city of Madurai, proving her husband’s innocence and transforming into a goddess of justice.
The epic is not only a tale of love and injustice but also a statement of dharma—how truth ultimately triumphs, even if through suffering. Kannagi continues to be worshipped in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka as a goddess of chastity and justice.
Pampa Bharata (Kannada)
In Karnataka, the poet Adikavi Pampa (10th century CE) composed the Pampa Bharata, a Jain retelling of the Mahabharata. Here, Arjuna is portrayed as the true hero, while the narrative reflects Jain values of non-violence and renunciation.
Pampa’s work shows how local poets reshaped pan-Indian epics through their own spiritual lens, blending regional language, Jain philosophy, and poetic innovation. The Pampa Bharata became a cornerstone of Kannada literature, inspiring centuries of poets.
Mappila Ramayanam (Kerala)
In Kerala, the Ramayana found a unique form among the Mappila Muslim community. The Mappila Ramayanam is sung in the local dialect, blending Islamic cultural influences with devotion to Rama. Though differing in style from Valmiki’s text, it shows how the epic spirit transcends boundaries, becoming part of shared cultural heritage.
Pabuji Ki Phad (Rajasthan)
In the deserts of Rajasthan, the epic of Pabuji is painted on large scrolls (phads) and sung by traditional bards. Pabuji is remembered as a hero and protector of cattle, who sacrificed his life defending dharma and his people.
Performed all night in village gatherings, the Pabuji Ki Phad combines song, art, and devotion, keeping alive a hero who embodies Rajput valor and sacrifice. For villagers, Pabuji is not a distant figure but a living guardian deity.
Telugu Epics: Palnati Virula Katha
In Andhra Pradesh, the Palnati Virula Katha narrates the 12th-century battle of Palnadu, remembered as the “Andhra Kurukshetra.” It recounts the rivalry between two warrior clans, blending history and legend. Like the Mahabharata, it portrays dilemmas of loyalty, dharma, and kinship.
This epic, sung by wandering minstrels, remains a reminder of Andhra’s martial traditions and the timeless struggle between justice and power.
Assamese Ramayana and Mahabharata
In Assam, the saint-poet Madhava Kandali (14th century) composed the first Ramayana in a modern Indian language. His Saptakanda Ramayana localized the story with Assamese culture and idiom, making it accessible to common people. Later, the Burhanath Bharata brought the Mahabharata into Assamese verse, ensuring that epic dharma resonated in the Brahmaputra valley.
Manipuri Epic of Khamba-Thoibi
The Manipuri epic of Khamba-Thoibi narrates the love story of Khamba, a poor orphan, and Thoibi, a princess. Set against the backdrop of martial traditions and court intrigue, the epic celebrates valor, devotion, and love overcoming social barriers. Performed through song and dance, it remains central to Manipuri cultural identity.
Other Regional Treasures
In Maharashtra, the Jñaneshwari (a commentary on the Gita) and the abhangas of Tukaram retell epic truths in poetic devotion.
In Orissa, the Jagamohana Ramayana by Balarama Dasa localizes Rama’s story for Odia audiences.
In Bengal, Chandi Mangala and Manasa Mangala epics honor local goddesses alongside epic dharma.
Each region adds its own heroes, heroines, and divine beings, making the epic tradition a living, evolving stream.
Common Threads Across Epics
Though diverse in language and form, these regional epics share common threads:
Dharma: Whether Kannagi’s chastity, Pabuji’s valor, or Khamba’s devotion, each epic explores righteousness in its cultural context.
Accessibility: Composed in local languages, they made spiritual and moral lessons available to common people.
Integration of Faiths: Many epics reflect Jain, Buddhist, or even Islamic influences, showing Sanātana Dharma’s openness.
Performance Tradition: Most are sung, danced, or painted, ensuring that epics were not confined to books but lived in community life.
Why They Matter Today
In today’s globalized world, regional epics remind us of India’s inner diversity. They show that dharma is not a rigid code but a living truth, expressed differently across communities. They also preserve regional languages, oral traditions, and cultural identities, ensuring that the voice of the village is heard alongside the voice of the sage.
Studying these epics expands our understanding of Sanātana Dharma beyond Valmiki and Vyasa, revealing a thousand storytellers who carried the torch of wisdom in their own ways.
Conclusion
The Ramayana and Mahabharata may be the great rivers of India’s epic tradition, but the regional epics are its tributaries—smaller in scale yet equally life-giving. From Kannagi’s fiery justice in Tamil Nadu to Pabuji’s valor in Rajasthan, from Khamba’s love in Manipur to Palnadu’s war in Andhra, these stories continue to shape the moral imagination of Bharat.
To read or listen to them is to hear the many voices of Sanātana Dharma, echoing the same eternal truths in diverse tongues. Together, they remind us that dharma is both universal and local, both eternal and ever new.
“When you are born with a question in your soul, the answer becomes your life’s work.”
Venkatesham is the founder and guiding spirit behind Bharathiyam — a digital dharmic initiative dedicated to reviving, preserving, and sharing the timeless soul-wisdom of Bharat.
Born into a traditional family rooted in simplicity, reverence, and moral strength, his life bridges two worlds — the outer world of technology and digital communication, and the inner world of silence, reflection, and spiritual seeking.
The articles and essays featured on Bharathiyam are not recent creations, but part of a lifelong body of work that began more than two decades ago. Many of them were originally written between 2000 and 2020, stored quietly as Word documents — reflections, insights, and learnings collected through years of sādhanā, study, and service. These writings are now being published in their original spirit, dated according to when they were first composed.
Alongside Bharathiyam, he continues to nurture two interconnected literary trilogies exploring dharma, family, and the soul’s journey — expressions of the same inner quest that began long ago and continues to unfold through his work and life.
