Did Lord Rama really walk from Sri Lanka to Ayodhya in 21 days? Recent discussions have reignited an age-old debate surrounding the legendary journey of Lord Rama, particularly regarding the timeline of his return from Sri Lanka to Ayodhya after vanquishing King Ravana. The conquering event, celebrated as Dussehra, is said to mark the beginning of a 21-day period leading up to Diwali, when the people of Ayodhya welcomed their king back from 14 years of exile.
How Did Google Maps Get Into The Picture?
A post circulating on the X (formerly Twitter) has gone viral, featuring a screenshot from Google Maps.
The post claims that travelling on foot from Sri Lanka to Ayodhya would take approximately 21 days, intriguingly corresponding with the timeline between these two significant festivals.
Does Google Maps Truly Show 21 Days?
It seems Google Maps is not exactly showing 21 days as a walking/hiking travel time. When we checked the same route, it shows 542 hours on Maps, which is a little over 22.5 days.
Of course, as you can see above, the walking route involves several breaks, including a ferry as well as a cross-country border.
Will You Be Able To Complete The Same Journey In 21 Days?
The simple answer would be: No, unless you have a Pushpak Viman!
The viral tweet has sparked a mix of amazement and scepticism among users. While some are captivated by the claim, others criticise the oversimplification of a divine narrative.
Critics emphasise that geographical changes over time make it problematic to use contemporary mapping tools to trace ancient routes (as we can see in our Google Maps screenshot as well).
Of course, this would also mean that you'll have to walk non-stop. While Lord Rama with his Godly abilities could have made the journey, chances are you will face a severe health crisis if you walk over 3,100 km without a single stop.
Of course, legends also claim that Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman flew to Ayodhya on the Pushpak Viman. Unless the flying chariot, crafted by Vishwakarma for Brahma, travels at a slow speed, the journey must have been much shorter. Of course, we should remember here that Diwali is celebrated when Lord Rama reached Ayodhya, so certain pitstops before that could have been possible if you count the 21-day concept.
The viral post, and the ensuing social media debates, should only be considered a healthy discussion among faithful to explore the intersection of mythology, faith, and modern technology in understanding epic narratives. This should not mar anyone's happiness or faith in celebrating the festival of lights, Diwali!