Hi, my name's Mrs. Charalambous, and welcome to today's lesson.

I've got a really great story to tell you.

Today's lesson is the story of Rama and Sita from the unit Festivals: How do ancient stories influence modern celebrations? Let's get started.

By the end of today's lesson, you'll be able to retell the story of Rama and Sita from the "Ramayana".

Let's look at today's keywords and practise with my turn, your turn.

"Ramayana".

"Ramayana", an ancient Indian epic that tells a story of Rama and Sita.

Rama.

Rama, a prince known for his bravery, kindness, and devotion to duty.

Sita.

Sita, the wife of Rama, a princess known for her beauty and devotion.

Ravana.

Ravana, the king of Lanka who has 10 heads and 20 arms. Diwali.

Diwali, a Hindu festival that symbolises the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.

Let's carry on.

Today's lesson outline for the story of Rama and Sita looks like this.

Let's begin with where would we find an ancient Hindu story.

This is a map of India.

Hindu Dharma has existed for thousands of years.

It originated in India.

The Hindu worldview has many paths, but it shares the idea of Dharma.

Dharma is living a life based on service, respecting others, and being connected to all of nature.

Hindu Dharma has many ancient stories which have been passed down through generations.

Look at this image.

What can you see? Take a moment to really look at it before sharing some of your answers with me.

Would you like to share some answers with me now? That's right.

I can see white horses as well.

I think it might be a fight scene because I can see bows and arrows and land and water.

Ooh, I wonder what this is.

This is a manuscript of the "Ramayana" from the 17th century.

Wow, such a long time ago.

The "Ramayana" is an epic story from India, and epic story means a long story which contains deeper meanings.

What is the "Ramayana"? Is it A, a type of temple, B, a festival, or C, an epic story? Have a moment to think before sharing your answer with me.

That's right.

It's C, an epic story.

Let's carry on.

There are many beautiful copies of the "Ramayana".

The beautiful illustrations show how important it has been to Hindus in the past.

It is a central story for Hindus today.

Its deeper meanings help Hindus understand how to live a life according to dharma.

This is Kavita, a British Hindu.

Hi, Kavita.

She says, "For me, the 'Ramayana' is one of the most famous stories in Hindu Dharma.

It tells the tale of Prince Rama and his brave journey to rescue his wife, Sita, from the evil King Ravana.

Some people even call this the Rama and Sita story because they are the main characters." Have you heard of this story before? Kavita says, "The story of the 'Ramayana' is often shared during prayers and special celebrations.

I hear it a lot during a festival called Diwali.

This is a picture of me at my local mandir getting ready to listen to the 'Ramayana' being told as part of the Diwali celebrations." Oh, doesn't she look lovely? And behind, can you see? It says Diwali in the background.

Let's check her understanding so far with true or false.

You can do this for true and this for false if you like.

The "Ramayana" is told at festivals like Eid True or false.

Take a moment to think before I reveal the answer to you.

That's right.

It's false.

Why? Would you like to share why with me? That's right.

It's false because there "Ramayana" is told at festivals at the Hindu festival of Diwali.

Let's carry on.

Ooh, this is a procession in India.

I wonder who that could be of.

Hmm.

As well as in books and retellings, the "Ramayana" is acted out in plays and dances called the Ramlila.

During festivals, there are also grand processions like this one where huge statues of Ravana are displayed an even burn to celebrate Rama's victory over him.

We'll find more about this victory in the story that I retell later to you.

Task A.

Kavita says, "I listen to a retelling of the 'Ramayana' at the mandir during the festival of Diwali." Can you explain two other ways Hindus might hear the "Ramayana"? Pause the video here and when you're ready, press play so that we can continue.

Task A, feedback time.

Kavita said, "I listened to a retelling of the "Ramayana" at the mandir during the festival of Diwali.

Can you explain two other ways Hindus might hear the "Ramayana"? Your answers could have included: People might hear the "Ramayana" in books where the story is written down or they might hear it acted out in plays or dances during festivals like Ramlila.

These performances show the main parts of the story and help people learn about Rama's journey.

Would you like to share what you've written with me? Great job.

Let's move on.

Cycle two.

What happened in the story of Rama and Sita? "Ramayana": the story of Rama and Sita.

A long time ago in a kingdom far away, there lived a kind and brave prince named Rama.

He was the eldest son of King Dasharatha and was loved by everyone.

Rama had three younger brothers and together they lived happily in the grand palace.

Rama was married to Sita, a beautiful and wise princess.

They loved each other dearly and were very happy together, but one day, everything changed.

Rama's stepmother queen, Kaikeyi, wanted her son to be king instead of Rama.

She convinced the king to send Rama away into the forest for 14 years.

Although it was unfair, Rama obeyed his father's wishes.

Sita and his younger brother Lakshman refused to let him go alone and decided to go with him.

They left the palace and travelled deep into the forest, living among the trees and helping the people they met.

They built a small hut and were happy together even though they no longer had the comfort of the palace.

Let's check our understanding about the story so far with this question.

Why did Rama have to live in the forest for 14 years? A, to go on a journey to find his wife, Sita.

B, his stepmother wanted her son to be king instead of Rama.

C, he was cursed by a wizard.

Take a moment to think about the answer before I reveal it to you.

That's right.

It was B, his stepmother wanted her son to be king instead of Rama, so she sent him to the forest for 14 years.

But danger was near, far away, King Ravana ruled the land of Lanka, now Sri Lanka.

He was powerful, clever, and feared by all.

When he heard of Sita's beauty, he wanted to take her for himself.

One day, he made a bad decision as he wanted Sita for himself.

He knew that Rama was strong and would protect her, so he decided to trick her instead.

One day, while Rama and Lakshman were away hunting, he disguised himself as a golden deer.

The deer leapt gracefully through the trees near Sita's hut.

Its fur shining in the sunlight.

"Oh, how beautiful it is." Sita said.

"Rama, please catch it for me." Rama wanting to make Sita happy, chased after the deer.

But as soon as he ran deep into the forest, the deer cried out in Rama's voice, "Help me, Lakshman." Sita hearing the cry became frightened, she begged Lakshman to go and help his brother.

Lakshman did not want to leave her alone, but Sita insisted.

"You must go." She said.

Before leaving, Lakshman drew a magical line around the hut.

"Do not step outside this line, Sita." He warned.

"It'll keep you safe from harm." Then he hurried into the forest to find Rama.

As soon as Lakshman was gone, Ravana appeared, and now he had disguised himself as an old, tired beggar.

He came to the hut and called out.

"Dear, lady, I am a poor traveller.

Please, will you give me something to eat?" Sita, who was always kind and generous wanted to help, she picked up some food and tried to give it to him while staying inside the magical line, but the old man pretended to look sad.

"You are a princess, and yet you will not step forward to help an old man.

Ooh." He sighed.

Sita did not want to be unkind, she forgot the warning and stepped outside the line just for a moment.

The moment she did, Ravana dropped his disguise.

He grew tall and fearsome with 10 heads and 20 arms. He grabbed Sita, lifted her into his flying chariot, and soared into the sky, taking her to his kingdom of Lanka.

Sita scream for help, but Rama and Lakshman were too far away to hear.

However, the great vulture Jatayu, a friend of Rama's father saw what was happening.

He flew after Ravana, tried to stop him fighting bravely, but Ravana was too strong and wounded Jatayu badly before flying away.

Let's check our understanding with true or false.

Ravana wanted to take Rama back to Lanka, true or false? Take a moment ahead to think about the answer before I reveal it to you.

That's right.

It's false.

Why? Hmm.

Yes, Ravana wanted to take Sita back to Lanka because he had heard how beautiful she was.

Didn't want Rama.

Let's carry on.

When Rama and Lakshman returned, they found the hut empty.

Sita was gone, but then they saw Jatayu lying injured on the ground.

With his last breath, he told them, "Ravana has taken Sita to Lanka." Rama and Lakshman set off on a great journey to find her.

Along the way, they met the mighty warrior called Hanuman, who became their friend and help her.

Hanuman leapt across the ocean to Lanka and found Sita in Ravana's garden.

She was sitting under a tree refusing to stay in Ravana's palace.

Hanuman gave Sita hope telling her that Rama was coming to save her.

Then he returned to Rama and Lakshman with the news.

Let's take a moment to check our understanding.

Hmm.

Who helps Rama and Lakshman rescue Sita? Take a look at some of the options.

Hmm.

Is it A, Hanuman and his army, B, Ravana, or C, Rama's dad, the king? That's right.

It's a Hanuman and his army.

Ooh, let's carry on with the story and see what happens next.

Rama gathered an army and built a great bridge across the sea to reach Lanka.

A fierce battle followed.

Rama and his army fought bravely, and finally, Rama defeated Ravana with a powerful magical arrow.

He was able to rescue Sita.

At last, Rama and Sita were united.

Together, they returned to their home palace as their 14 years in the forest were over.

On their return, Rama became king and the people celebrated his return with lights and lots of joy.

Today, this story is remembered through the festival of Diwali, the Festival of Lights which celebrates Rama's victory.

And so Rama and Sita lived happily ever after, ruling their kingdom with wisdom and kindness.

Let's check our understanding for the final part of the story with true or false.

The people of the kingdom celebrated Rama's by fasting.

True or false? Take a moment before we discuss the answer.

That's right.

It's false.

Why? The people of the kingdom celebrated with lights not fasting.

Diwali is the Festival of Lights.

Well done if you got that answer correct.

Let's carry on.

Kavita says, "For me, when I hear this story at Diwali, it reminds me of the importance of love, courage, and doing what is right.

Rama and Sita never gave up even in difficult times.

It makes me feel inspired to be kind and brave too." Task B.

Lucas says, "The story of Rama and Sita has many important moments." Think about the story.

Which moment stands out the most to you? One, create a picture of this moment from the story, and two, explain why you think this part is the most important.

Here is a sentence starter to help you.

I think the most important part is.

Hmm, because.

Pause the video here to answer this, and when you're ready, press play for some feedback.

Task B, feedback time.

Think about the story.

Which moment stands out the most to you? One, create a picture of this moment.

Two, explain why you think this art is the most important.

And here, you can see I've drawn the fight scene of Rama defeating Ravana.

I said, "I think the most important part of the story is when Rama defeated Ravana because it shows that good wins over evil.

Rama never gives up.

And with the help of his friends, he rescued Sita.

This moment teaches us about bravery and doing what is right." Would you like to share yours with me? Wow.

Great answer.

I'm so proud of your learning today.

Let's summarise today's lesson, the story of Rama and Sita.

The story of Rama and Sita is found in "Ramayana", which is an ancient epic story from India.

The story of Rama and Sita is often retold by Hindus annually.

That means every year.

As well as in books and retellings, the "Ramayana" is acted out in plays and dances called Ramlila.

The story has deeper meanings to help Hindus live out their dharma.

Well done for today's lesson and I hope to see you soon.

Bye for now.