Stand in Cambodia’s Angkor Wat and you’ll find Ramayana carvings stretching across 400 acres of sacred stone—the world’s largest religious monument, dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Fly to Bali and watch Balinese Hindus chant Sanskrit mantras in daily prayers—in a country where 87% are Muslim.
Visit Thailand and discover that their kings are ceremonially called “Rama”—Rama I through Rama X—honoring an Indian epic as the foundation of royal legitimacy.
Board a flight in Indonesia and you’re traveling on Garuda Indonesia—named after Lord Vishnu’s divine eagle mount—in the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation.
Yet back in India—the birthplace of these traditions—Ramayana is debated as mythology, Shiva dismissed as metaphor, Krishna questioned as unhistorical, and our temples controlled while other religions operate freely.
How did this reversal happen?
Why do nations thousands of kilometers away preserve our heritage with more pride than we do?
Today, we’re uncovering the forgotten story of Sanatana Dharma’s organic spread across Asia—and the colonial project that made Indians ashamed of what the world still respects.
Part I: The Evidence They Can’t Erase
Angkor Wat: When Vishnu Became a World Wonder
Location: Siem Reap, Cambodia
Built: 1113-1150 CE (almost 900 years ago)
Commissioned by: King Suryavarman II (whose name means “Protector of the Sun”)
Dedicated to: Lord Vishnu
Size: 162.6 hectares (402 acres) – four times the size of Vatican City
Angkor Wat isn’t just “a temple”—it’s the largest religious monument ever built by humanity. Its construction required:
- 50,000 workers laboring for 30 years
- 1.5 million cubic meters of sandstone
- A 190-meter-wide moat with 5.5 km perimeter symbolizing the cosmic ocean
- Five central towers representing the peaks of Mount Meru (the abode of gods in Hindu cosmology)
What’s carved on its walls?
Every square meter tells our stories:
- Samudra Manthan (Churning of the Cosmic Ocean) – the most famous bas-relief
- Scenes from the Ramayana – Rama’s journey, Hanuman’s heroism
- Episodes from the Mahabharata – the great war, Krishna’s teachings
- Depictions of Vishnu and his avatars
The Original Name:
According to scholars, Angkor Wat’s original name was likely “Vrah Viṣhṇuloka” (वृह विष्णुलोक) – “The Sacred Dwelling of Vishnu.”
The Irony:
Today, Angkor Wat appears on the Cambodian national flag. An entire nation—Buddhist-majority Cambodia—proudly displays a Hindu temple as their supreme national symbol.
Meanwhile in India, textbooks teach children that Ramayana and Mahabharata are “mythology,” and archaeological evidence for Dwaraka, Ram Setu, and Kurukshetra is marginalized or debated endlessly.
Indonesia: Where 87% Muslims Honor Hindu Symbols
Indonesia is the world’s largest Muslim-majority country (87.2% Muslim population, ~240 million Muslims). Yet:
1. National Emblem: Garuda Pancasila
The Indonesian coat of arms features Garuda—the divine eagle mount (vahana) of Lord Vishnu.
Key Facts:
- Garuda (गरुड) is a Sanskrit word meaning the mythical king of birds
- Designed in 1950 by Sultan Hamid II (a descendant of Prophet Muhammad!)
- The Garuda holds in its talons the national motto: “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika” (Unity in Diversity) – a phrase from the Old Javanese poem Kakawin Sutasoma (14th century), based on Hindu-Buddhist philosophy
On the Garuda’s chest is a shield with five symbols representing Pancasila (Indonesia’s state philosophy):
- Star – Belief in One God
- Chain – Just and civilized humanity
- Banyan tree – Unity of Indonesia
- Bull’s head – Democracy
- Rice and cotton – Social justice
2. Garuda Indonesia: The National Airline
Founded January 26, 1949, Indonesia’s flag carrier was named Garuda on the suggestion of President Sukarno.
From the airline’s founding documents:
“The name Garuda is taken from the Hindu tradition: it is the name of Lord Vishnu’s mount (vahana).”
Modern fleet:
- 140+ aircraft serving 96 destinations
- 5-star Skytrax rating
- Named “World’s Best Cabin Crew” multiple times
- Every plane bears the Garuda logo—Hindu mythology displayed proudly worldwide
Think about this: When was the last time you saw an Indian airline or institution prominently featuring Vedic symbols with such pride?
3. Indonesian Currency Features Ganesha
Various Indonesian banknotes and coins have featured Lord Ganesha, Hanuman, and scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata—despite being a Muslim-majority nation.
4. Bali: The Last Hindu Kingdom
Bali (83% Hindu) preserves Sanatan Dharma more authentically than many parts of India:
Daily Rituals:
- Sanskrit mantras chanted in homes and temples
- Nyepi (Day of Silence) – Hindu New Year based on the Saka calendar
- Galungan festival celebrating dharma’s victory over adharma
- Daily offerings (canang sari) at home shrines
Major Monuments:
- Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue – 75-meter (246-foot) statue of Lord Vishnu riding Garuda
- Tanah Lot Temple – sea temple to Lord Baruna
- Besakih Temple – the “Mother Temple,” dedicated to Trimurti
Shadow Puppetry (Wayang Kulit):
Indonesia’s UNESCO-recognized traditional art form tells stories exclusively from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Performances in Java and Bali feature:
- Rama and Sita’s story
- Krishna’s life and teachings
- Bhima’s adventures
- Arjuna’s dilemmas
Muslim-majority Java watches these Hindu epics performed regularly—no one questions whether Rama existed or Krishna was real. They simply honor the wisdom.
Thailand: Where Kings Are Called Rama
Thailand (93% Theravada Buddhist) has preserved Hindu culture with extraordinary devotion:
1. Royal Names Based on Ramayana
Since the founding of the Chakri Dynasty in 1782, every Thai king has taken the title “Rama”:
- Rama I (1782-1809) – Founded Bangkok, commissioned Thai Ramakien
- Rama II (1809-1824) – Poet-king, refined Ramakien literature
- Rama III through Rama IX (King Bhumibol – the beloved modern king)
- Rama X (Current king – Maha Vajiralongkorn)
This isn’t symbolic—it’s constitutional. Thai kings are considered manifestations of Vishnu, upholding dharma in the modern world.
2. The Ramakien: Thailand’s National Epic
The Ramakien (รามเกียรติ์) is Thailand’s version of Valmiki’s Ramayana.
Commissioned by: Rama I in 1797-1798
Verses: Approximately 60,000 (longer than the original Valmiki Ramayana!)
Status: Thailand’s national epic, taught in schools, performed in dance
Key Adaptations:
- Setting moved to Thailand
- Characters given Thai names (Rama = Phra Ram, Sita = Nang Sida, Hanuman = Hanuman)
- Local cultural elements integrated
- But the core story and dharmic values remain identical
3. Bangkok’s Grand Palace: A Temple to Our Epics
The Grand Palace of Bangkok (built 1782) features:
- Murals covering every wall depicting the complete Ramakien
- Over 178 mural panels showing Rama’s journey from birth to coronation
- Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) within the palace complex featuring Hindu deities
- Sculptures of Garuda, Nagas, Kinnaras throughout
To enter Thailand’s most sacred royal space is to walk through the Ramayana.
4. Hanuman: Thailand’s National Hero
Hanuman isn’t just respected in Thailand—he’s the national symbol of:⬤
- Loyalty (to Rama)
- Strength (defeating Ravana’s armies)
- Wisdom (strategic brilliance)
- Devotion (selfless service)
Hanuman appears on:
- Government buildings
- Military insignia
- Sports team emblems
- Tourist materials
- Popular culture
Thai children grow up knowing: “Be like Hanuman—strong, loyal, wise.”
No one debates whether Hanuman was real. They focus on the values he represents.
Part II: How Did This Happen? The Organic Spread of Dharma
The Non-Colonial Expansion
Unlike Christianity and Islam, which spread primarily through:
- Military conquest (Crusades, Islamic expansion)
- Colonial imposition (European colonization of Americas, Africa, Asia)
- Institutional conversion (missionaries backed by state power)
Sanatana Dharma spread organically through:
1. Trade Routes
From approximately 1st century CE onward, Indian merchants sailed to Southeast Asia via:
- Maritime Silk Road
- Spice routes connecting India to Java, Sumatra, Malaya
- Monsoon wind patterns making annual voyages predictable
What they brought:
- Spices, textiles, precious stones (material goods)
- Sanskrit language (cultural capital)
- Indian epics (storytelling tradition)
- Temple architecture (aesthetic excellence)
- Philosophical systems (intellectual sophistication)
- Statecraft principles (Arthashastra, dharmic governance)
What they DIDN’T bring:
- Armies to conquer
- Mandate to convert
- Religious compulsion
2. Cultural Appeal
Local Southeast Asian rulers voluntarily adopted Hindu-Buddhist traditions because they offered:
Political Legitimacy:
- Divine kingship concepts (Devaraja – God-King)
- Connection to ancient, sophisticated civilization
- Proven governance models
Philosophical Depth:
- Concepts of karma, dharma, moksha
- Sophisticated cosmology
- Art and architecture traditions
Literary Excellence:
- Ramayana and Mahabharata as models for court poetry
- Sanskrit as language of high culture (like Latin in medieval Europe)
No Coercion Required:
The Khmer Empire (Angkor), Srivijaya Empire (Sumatra), Majapahit Empire (Java), Champa Kingdom (Vietnam), and Ayutthaya Kingdom (Thailand) all adopted Hinduism without a single Indian army invading them.
Compare this to:
- European colonization of the Americas (forced Christianity)
- Islamic expansion through Central Asia and Middle East (conversion by conquest in many cases)
- British colonial education in India (deliberate cultural substitution)
Dharma spread because people were attracted to it—not because they were conquered by it.
3. Integration, Not Replacement
Critically, Hinduism in Southeast Asia didn’t demand the abandonment of local traditions.
In Bali:
- Pre-Hindu animistic beliefs merged with Hindu deities
- Local spirits became manifestations of Hindu gods
- Traditional village councils incorporated dharmic governance principles
In Thailand:
- Buddhism became dominant (13th century) but Hindu rituals remained in royal ceremonies
- Brahmin priests still perform royal coronations
- Thai Buddhism incorporates Hindu deities as protectors
In Java:
- Islam became majority religion (15th-16th century)
- But Ramayana and Mahabharata remained cultural touchstones
- Wayang shadow puppetry continues unbroken
- Garuda became national symbol even under Islam
This is syncretism—harmonious blending—not the “either-or” exclusivity of Abrahamic religions.
Part III: The Reversal—How India Lost Pride in Its Own Heritage
The Colonial Project of Cultural Erasure
If Sanatana Dharma was respected enough for non-Hindu Southeast Asian nations to adopt it freely, why do many modern Indians treat it with embarrassment or skepticism?
Answer: Systematic colonial conditioning.
Phase 1: British Intellectual Colonization (1757-1947)
Thomas Babington Macaulay’s Education Minute (1835):
“A single shelf of a good European library was worth the whole native literature of India and Arabia… We must form a class of persons Indian in blood and colour, but English in taste, opinions, morals, and intellect.”
The Strategy:
- Delegitimize Sanskrit – call it a “dead” language (though it’s liturgically alive)
- Rebrand Itihasa as “mythology” – make epics seem fictional
- Introduce English as superior – make Indians ashamed of mother tongues
- Teach European history extensively – while minimizing Indian contributions
- Control temples – undermine indigenous institutions
Phase 2: Post-Independence “Secularism” (1947-Present)
After independence, the inferiority complex didn’t disappear—it intensified.
The New Elite:
- English-educated upper castes who internalized colonial values
- Politicians who equated “secularism” with rejecting Hindu identity
- Intellectuals trained in Western universities who viewed Indian traditions through Orientalist lenses
Policies That Marginalized Hindu Culture:
1. Temple Control:
- Hindu temples under government control (Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Acts)
- Mosques and churches autonomous
- Government can appoint temple administrators, control finances, dictate rituals
- Revenue from Hindu temples often diverted to non-religious purposes
2. Education Curriculum:
- Indian epics taught as “mythology”
- Greek/Roman history given more emphasis than Indian empires
- Contributions of Indian mathematicians (zero, decimal system), astronomers, physicians minimized
- No mandatory Sanskrit while English remains compulsory
3. Media and Pop Culture:
- Ramayana/Mahabharata TV shows called “mythological serials”
- Western historical dramas treated seriously, Indian ones as “fantasy”
- Bollywood often portrays traditional Hindus as backward
- English-language media dominated by anglicized elites skeptical of Hinduism
4. Intellectual Discourse:
- It’s fashionable to question Hindu traditions
- “Did Rama exist?” – acceptable academic question
- “Did Moses exist?” or “Did Muhammad exist?” – taboo, career-ending
- Selective application of “rationalism” only to Hinduism
Part IV: The Contrast—What Southeast Asia Does Differently
1. No Embarrassment About Pre-Islamic/Pre-Buddhist Heritage
Indonesia:
- 87% Muslim yet proudly displays Garuda (Hindu symbol)
- Government protects Balinese Hindu culture
- Ramayana ballet performed at Prambanan Temple (Java) – a tourist attraction
- “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika” (Unity in Diversity) embraces Hindu past
Thailand:
- 93% Buddhist yet kings called “Rama”
- Brahmin priests perform royal ceremonies
- Hindu deities worshipped at shrines
- Ramakien taught in schools without apology
Cambodia:
- Angkor Wat on national flag
- Hindu heritage celebrated as national glory
- Tourism industry built around Vishnu temple
2. Living Traditions, Not Museum Pieces
In Bali:
- Sanskrit mantras chanted daily
- Temples actively maintained by communities
- Festivals celebrated with full rituals
- No one questions if the gods are “real”—they honor the tradition
In Thailand:
- Ramakien performed in classical dance (Khon)
- Royal barge processions feature Hindu iconography
- Erawan Shrine (dedicated to Brahma) receives millions of visitors
- Integration of Hindu elements into Buddhist practice
3. Education Systems That Honor Heritage
Thai Schools:
- Ramakien is part of literature curriculum
- Students learn values from the epic (loyalty, courage, dharma)
- Traditional dance includes Ramayana performances
- No debate about “mythology vs. history”—focus on cultural values
Indonesian Schools:
- Pancasila (national philosophy) includes principles influenced by Hindu-Buddhist thought
- Wayang puppetry taught as cultural heritage
- Sanskrit loan words in Bahasa Indonesia studied without stigma
4. State Protection of Cultural Symbols
Indonesia:
- Government protects Balinese temples
- Wayang recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
- National holidays include Nyepi (Hindu New Year) in Bali
- Garuda Pancasila – no Muslim group demands its removal
Thailand:
- Royal patronage of Brahmin priests
- Government funding for temple restoration
- Tourist ministry promotes Hindu heritage sites
India:
- Temples under government control
- Politicians routinely make disparaging comments about Hindu traditions
- “Secular” intellectuals mock festivals as “pollution” or “superstition”
- Archaeological evidence for epic sites downplayed or contested
Part V: The Questions We Must Ask
1. Why the Selective Rationalism?
In India, it’s acceptable to ask:
- “Did Ram Setu actually exist?” (despite geological evidence)
- “Was Krishna a historical figure?” (despite Mahabharata references, Dwaraka archaeology)
- “Are the Vedas just primitive mythology?” (despite sophisticated astronomy, mathematics, philosophy)
But it’s career suicide to publicly question:
- “Did the Exodus happen?” (no archaeological evidence)
- “Did Moses part the Red Sea?” (no historical record)
- “Is the Quran’s account of creation accurate?” (conflicts with geology, evolution)
Why this double standard?
Because post-colonial Indian elites internalized the colonial hierarchy: Western/Abrahamic = rational, modern, historical; Indian/Hindu = mythological, primitive, superstitious.
2. Why Do We Need Western Validation?
When underwater archaeology at Dwaraka revealed:
- Stone structures matching Mahabharata descriptions
- Artifacts dating to 1500 BCE
- Evidence of submersion (as texts describe)
Indian academics largely ignored it until international scholars showed interest.
When NASA satellite images showed Ram Setu’s linear formation, Indian secularists immediately rejected it, calling it “natural formation”—despite geological evidence of construction.
Why?
Because we’ve been conditioned to trust Western validation more than our own traditions, archaeology, and texts.
Meanwhile:
- Troy was dismissed as mythology until German archaeologist Schliemann found it—then suddenly Homer’s Iliad became “historical epic”
- Mayan cities were “legends” until explorers found them—then Mayan texts became “historical records”
Indian texts are held to impossible standards of proof, while Western texts are given benefit of doubt.
3. What Are We Teaching Our Children?
In India:
- “Ramayana and Mahabharata are just stories”
- “Our gods are symbols, not real”
- “Sanskrit is a dead language”
- “English is the language of success”
- “Western degrees are superior”
In Thailand:
- “Ramayana teaches loyalty, courage, dharma—be like Hanuman”
- “Our kings are Rama—upholding righteousness”
- “Sanskrit mantras are sacred—we chant them in ceremonies”
- “Thai language is primary, but we honor Sanskrit roots”
Result in India:
- Generation that knows more about Greek gods than Vedic rishis
- Can recite Shakespeare but not Kalidasa
- Celebrates Valentine’s Day but finds Karva Chauth “regressive”
- Wears jeans with pride but thinks saree is “traditional” (read: outdated)
Result in Southeast Asia:
- Pride in cultural heritage
- Integration of ancient wisdom with modern life
- No inferiority complex about indigenous traditions
Part VI: The Path Forward—Reclaiming Cultural Pride
1. Stop Using Colonial Terminology
Instead of: “Hindu mythology”
Say: “Hindu epics,” “Itihasa,” “sacred narratives”
Instead of: “Mythological characters”
Say: “Epic heroes,” “divine figures,” “sacred personalities”
Instead of: “Mythological TV serial”
Say: “Epic television series,” “Itihasa adaptation,” “devotional series”
2. Demand Educational Reform
Include in Curriculum:
- Indian contributions to mathematics (zero, decimal, algebra, trigonometry)
- Astronomical achievements (planetary calculations, eclipse predictions)
- Architectural marvels (temple engineering, metallurgy – rust-proof iron pillar)
- Philosophical systems (Vedanta, Samkhya, Yoga)
- Medical knowledge (Ayurveda, surgery – Sushruta Samhita)
Stop Privileging:
- European history over Indian
- English literature over Sanskrit classics
- Greek philosophy over Vedic thought
3. Support Archaeological Research
- Underwater archaeology at Dwaraka deserves massive funding
- Excavations at Ayodhya, Kurukshetra, Hastinapura should continue
- Astronomical dating of Mahabharata should be published widely
- Interdisciplinary research (archaeology + astronomy + linguistics + traditional scholarship)
4. Learn from Southeast Asia
What they do right:
- Honor heritage without fundamentalism (modern yet rooted)
- Integrate ancient wisdom into modern life (values, not rituals)
- Respect past without living in it (forward-looking yet proud)
- Syncretism without erasure (Buddhism/Islam coexist with Hindu past)
5. Challenge Internalized Colonialism
Ask yourself:
- Why do I value English over my mother tongue?
- Why do I know more about European history than Indian empires?
- Why do I feel “modern” when distanced from Indian traditions?
- Why do I seek Western validation for Indian achievements?
Decolonization isn’t political—it’s psychological.
6. Celebrate Without Chauvinism
There’s a balance:
Harmful: “Everything was perfect in ancient India; we invented airplanes and nuclear weapons”
Healthy: “India had sophisticated knowledge systems worth studying alongside modern science”
Harmful: “Ramayana is 100% literal history with no symbolic elements”
Healthy: “Ramayana is Itihasa—historical events narrated with philosophical depth”
Harmful: “All criticism is Western conspiracy”
Healthy: “Valid criticism should be distinguished from colonial delegitimization”
Conclusion: The World Remembers What We Forgot
Here’s the stunning irony:
Southeast Asian nations—Buddhist and Muslim-majority—preserve and honor Sanatana Dharma better than India, the birthplace of the tradition.
- Cambodia puts Vishnu temple on their flag
- Indonesia names airline after Garuda
- Thailand calls kings “Rama”
- Bali chants Sanskrit daily
- Java performs Ramayana despite being Muslim
- Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam preserve Sanskrit-based scripts
Why?
Because they were never colonized by Britain. They never internalized the narrative that their indigenous culture was inferior.
And when Islam or Buddhism arrived, it integrated with rather than erased the Hindu foundation.
Meanwhile in India:
- We debate whether Rama existed
- We mock festivals as “pollution”
- We call Sanskrit “dead”
- We control our temples while others are autonomous
- We teach our children to be embarrassed of traditions the world respects
The tragedy isn’t that we lost political independence (we regained that in 1947).
The tragedy is that we lost cultural confidence—and 78 years after independence, many Indians still haven’t recovered it.
The Ramayana doesn’t just belong to India.
But it must never be forgotten by India.
Because if 1.4 billion Indians are ashamed of Rama, Krishna, Shiva, and the Vedas,
While Cambodians, Thais, and Indonesians honour them,
Then we’ve completed the colonial project for the British—
We’ve colonised ourselves.
Next time you visit Angkor Wat, board Garuda Indonesia, or see Thailand’s Grand Palace murals, remember:
The world hasn’t forgotten our gods.
Only we have.
And it’s time we remember.
