Retracing Sita and Rama's Journey

Long time ago, a virtuous prince, accompanied by his devoted wife and brother, embarked on an extraordinary journey into the wilderness to champion the cause of righteousness. During the course of their journey, they courageously confronted fiery demons, battled thirst and hunger, navigated treacherous trails, and endured physical pain, all to provide an enduring example for future generations.

Prayagraj is the sacred place where Lord Rama sought the guidance and blessings of Rishi Bhardwaj to navigate the challenges of his 14-year exile. Upon his victorious return from Sri Lanka, Rama and his companions once more graced the ashram of Sage Bhardwaja before resuming their journey towards Ayodhya.

For anyone seeking to follow the trail of the legendary expedition of Lord Rama and Sita, Ayodhya should be your must-visit destination. Revered as Rama's birthplace, it abounds with countless temples and historical sites intimately connected to the Ramayana.

Chitrakoot served as a pivotal point in their epic journey, and is believed to be the dwelling place of Rama, Sita, and Laxmana for over 11 years during their exile from Ayodhya. Here, the divine pair encountered one of the seven immortal sages, Atri, and his virtuous wife, Anusuya Devi. During their meeting, Anusuya Devi lauded the significance of unwavering devotion to one's husband, emphasizing pativratya, and bestowed her blessings upon Sita.

Lepakshi is believed to be the location where the noble giant bird, Jatayu, who valiantly attempted to rescue Sita from Ravana's clutches, met its demise following his battle with the demon king. During its final moments, it recounted the harrowing incident to Lord Rama and Laxmana and gave them an idea with regard to the path to Lanka.

It’s believed that in a bygone era, Panchavati served as the tranquil abode for the trio. It was within these woods that Lakshmana, in a defining moment, severed the nose of Surpanakha, the demoness and Ravana’s sister. Today, Panchavati stands as one of India's holiest pilgrimage sites, visited by people from across the country.

Today, this place is known as Hampi, which is believed to be the meeting point of Lord Rama and Sugriv, the valiant monkey king whose support proved pivotal in Rama's battle with Ravana.

Ashoka Vatika, which is now renowned as the sacred Sita Amman Temple in Sri Lanka, is the site where it’s believed that Ravana held Sita captive following her abduction. Set in the picturesque area known as Nuwara Eliya, this place also boasts the massive footprints of Hanuman, left after his destruction of Ashoka Vatika, in close proximity to the temple shrine. This vibrant temple attracts a multitude of devotees throughout the year.

This place serves as the battlefield of the Ramayana, where Lord Rama defeated Ravana and rescued Sita. Following this, Lakshmana, at Rama's direction, appointed Ravana's brother, Vibhishana, as the ruler of Lanka. Subsequently, Sita, Rama, and Lakshmana embarked on their journey to Ayodhya to reunite with their loved ones. This joyous reunion eventually gave rise to the festivities we recognize today as Diwali.