Incarnating in the Ikshvaaku lineage of King Dashrath of Ayodhya, Lord Rama is known as Maryaada Purushottam. His life exemplifies the ideal son, ideal husband and ideal ruler.

His purpose in manifesting was to eradicate evil in the form of Ravan, son of Pulatsya rishi. Though a Brahmin well-versed in the scriptures, Ravan had caused chaos in the whole of Bharat (India). Opposed to Dharma, he was regarded as a raakshas (demon). Harassing rishis was his life-goal. Therefore Lord Vishnu incarnated as Maryaada Purushottam Shri Ram.

Being the eldest son and rightful heir to his father, he stepped down for his step-brother, Bharat, Kaikeyi's son, to please both Dashrath and Kaikeyi. After returning from the war with Ravan, having endured severe hardships and austerities in the forest, rather than feeling bitter towards Kaikeyi, who had instigated Dashrath, he remained positive. Such nobility and magnanimity of heart is reflected in his sentiments when bowing to Kaikeyi after returning from exile: "O mother, it is by your grace that I came to know many things during my forest exile: My father's love, Bharat's forsaking the throne, Hanumanji's might, Sugriva's friendship, Lakshman's immeasurable devotion, Sitaji's purity as pativrata (chaste)wife, the strength in my arms and the enmity of dissenters. If you had not graced me, how could I have known these?"

Even today, Lord Rama's virtues of equanimity in honor and insult, steadfastness in life's vicissitudes, magnanimity towards devotees and dissenters alike, are virtues worthy of emulation by all.

Ritual
People observe a waterless(nirjala) fast on this day. Arti at noon, the time of Lord Rama's birth, is performed in all Ram mandirs in India and abroad. The festival is celebrated with great eclat especially in four major pilgrim places, namely, in Nasik, Tirupati, Rameshwar and Ayodhya. Devotees today listen to discourses on Ramlila from the Ramayan, the most popular version being Tulsidas's Ramacharitmanas.