New Delhi, April 6 -- In a detailed article for Mid-Day on Ram Navami 2025, popular mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik explains why Shri Ram, unlike other heroes from Indian epics, is never shown riding a chariot. He uses this point to explore the deeper and older roots of the Ramayana.

Shri Ram is always shown as a great archer, but never as a royal figure hunting lions from a chariot. However, it was common in ancient kingdoms like Egypt and Persia.

In contrast, Shri Ram walks through forests, fights battles on foot and travels in wild areas where chariots wouldn't work.

According to Pattanaik, this shows that Ram's story comes from an older time, when chariots were not common in India. He says that the chariot was introduced later, aroun...