This story is symbolic of the themes of deception, duty, and the battle between good and evil that are central to the Ramayana. This occured in the forest in Nashik.

Hampi, Karnataka. Located along the Tungabhadra River in the east and center part of the state, Hampi is near the city of Hosapete. Kishkindha is where Ram met Hanuman and other Vanara (monkeys) and organised his army, the Vanarsena, with the assistance of Sugriva. This kingdom is now defined as the area around the Tungabhadra river near Hampi. Rama, aided by his Hanuman and an army of monkeys, launches an epic quest to rescue her.

Sita stepped outside the circle to give him food. Ravana grabbed her and carried her to his kingdom in Lanka. Rama then sought the help of a band of monkeys to help him find Sita. In the epic Indian tale of the Ramayana, Ravana, the demon king of Lanka, devised a cunning plan to abduct Sita, the wife of Rama. Ravana knew about the magic circle, or Lakshman Rekha, drawn by Rama's brother Lakshman to protect Sita during their absence in the forest.

• earch for Sita: After Sita's abduction, Rama and Lakshmana began a desperate search for her. They roamed through forests and met various sages and animals seeking information about Sita's whereabouts.

• Meeting Hanuman: Rama and Lakshmana's search led them to Hanuman, the monkey deity and a devotee of Lord Rama. They met Hanuman through Sugriva, the exiled monkey king. Hanuman became a devoted follower of Rama and played a crucial role in the search for Sita.

  Shabari continued to live in the ashram awaiting Rama. 13 years passed by and Shabari became an old woman and finally Lord Rama came to the place and stopped at the ashram on his journey to Lanka. She proceeded to feed Rama and his brother Lakshmana. Touched by her piety Rama and Lakshmana bowed down at her feet. Then, they narrated to her the incident of Sita's kidnapping and Shabari suggested that they seek help from Hanuman and Sugriva of the monkey kingdom who lived further south near the Pampa lake.

• Alliance with Sugriva: Rama helped Sugriva regain his kingdom from his brother Vali, and in return, Sugriva vowed to assist Rama in finding Sita. He organized his monkey troops for the search mission.

• Hanuman's Leap to Lanka: Hanuman, with his divine powers, leaped across the ocean to Lanka. There, he found Sita in Ashoka Vatika, a garden in Ravana's palace. He delivered Rama's message to her and reassured her that Rama would soon come to her rescue.

  Hanuman's Encounter with Ravana: Before leaving Lanka, Hanuman allowed himself to be captured by Ravana's forces to get a chance to assess Ravana's strength and deliver a warning. He was set on fire, but he used this to his advantage and set fire to parts of Lanka before returning to Rama.

  

  Rama defeats Ravana and rescues Sita.

  The epic narrative of Ramayana vividly describes the heroic deeds of Hanuman, the monkey general with the ability to fly, thanks to his divine lineage as the son of the wind. He soared across to Lanka and discovered Sita in captivity, offering her solace and hope. His subsequent capture and daring escape, marked by a trail of fire across the rooftops of Lanka, are episodes of high drama and spectacle in the saga.

  Informed of Sita's location, Rama, accompanied by Lakshmana and the monkey army, ventured across the bridge to Lanka. There, a titanic battle unfolded, culminating in Rama's victory over Ravana and Sita's liberation. The Battle in Lanka: A fierce battle ensued between Rama's army and Ravana's forces. Many heroic deeds and tragic events unfolded during this battle.

  Rama's Victory Over Ravana: The battle culminated in a direct conflict between Rama and Ravana. Rama, aided by divine weapons and the strategic advice of the wise Vibhishana (Ravana's brother who joined Rama's side), eventually killed Ravana, thus ending his tyrannical rule. This epic journey and battle not only symbolize the victory of good over evil but also showcase the values of loyalty, bravery, righteousness, and the power of devotion.

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  Rama and Sita return to Ayodya

  Reunion and Return: After Ravana's defeat, Rama was reunited with Sita. Completing his 14-year exile, before returning to Ayodhya, Sita proved her purity by undergoing a trial by fire.

  Sita enters a burning pyre declaring that if she has been faithful to Rama let the fire not harm her; she comes out unscathed with the fire-god Agni as proof of her purity. Rama accepts Sita back and returns to Ayodhya, where they are crowned as king and queen.

  They returned to Ayodhya in the flying chariot Pushpaka Vimana, where Rama was crowned king, marking the beginning of Ram Rajya, an era of peace and justice.

  Rama defeats evil and light returns. Diwali

  His return is celebrated as Diwali, the Festival of Lights, in India. Upon his return, Rama was crowned as the king of Ayodhya. His reign is considered the golden era of righteousness and prosperity, known as "Ram Rajya," where justice and welfare prevailed throughout the kingdom.

  The questioning of Sita's purity by the people of Ayodhya is one of the most poignant and complex episodes in the Ramayana. After Rama and Sita returned to Ayodhya and Rama was crowned king, they enjoyed a period of happiness.

  However, doubts about Sita's chastity and purity arose among the citizens of Ayodhya due to her long captivity in Ravana's Lanka. Sita's time in the abode of Ravana led to public speculation. The gossip and doubt amongst his subjects troubled Rama.

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  Rama’s Decision and Sita’s Banishment

  Rama, though heartbroken, feels bound by his duty as king to uphold the confidence of his people.

  In a moment of excruciating pain, he decides to send Sita away without informing her of the real reason.

  He asks Lakshmana to escort her to the forest under the pretext of a pilgrimage, and there, leaves her in the ashram of Sage Valmiki.

  This is not a judgment against Sita, but a burden Rama bears as a king, placing public dharma over personal love. In a deeper spiritual sense, both are enacting a divine drama beyond worldly justice. Sita, shocked but composed, accepts her fate with grace.

  In the peaceful forest hermitage, she gives birth to twin sons, Lava and Kusha, and raises them with love and wisdom. They grow up learning the Ramayana itself from Sage Valmiki—unaware at first that the hero of the story is their own father.
• Years later, Rama holds a great Ashwamedha Yajna (a royal sacrifice) and Lava and Kusha come to recite the Ramayana in his court.

  There, Rama hears the story of his own life told with stunning beauty—and realizes these boys are his sons.

  He calls for Sita to return and publicly prove her purity again before being accepted back. Sita, dignified and unwavering, refuses to submit to another test.

  Instead, she prays to Mother Earth, her divine mother, and says:

  “If I have always been true to Rama in thought, word, and deed, then let Mother Earth receive me.”

  At once, the earth opens up, and Sita is taken back into the womb of the Earth, never to be seen again.

  In Avataric terms,
• Sita is the Shakti, the divine feminine, who descends with the Avatar and returns when her work is done. Her disappearance into the earth is not a loss, but a return to her original formless state.

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  Chitrakoot Now. You can take a 6-7 hour train ride to Chitrakoot /Chitrakot from Varanasi. Ram and Sita stayed there and Sita often bathed in the river there. Actually, it is believed to be an asylum for Lord Rama and His consort Sita for over a decade, eleven years and a half during their exile period. Ram, while in exile, did much work with masts in the jungles. Such God-intoxicated persons as masts always exist on earth, especially in the East, and during Avataric advents they are contacted by God personified. .. Many Temples to see and boat rides on the River. Arti on Ram Ghat is nice. Very nice and reasonable hotels in town. You could then take a 6-7 hour train ride to Agra to continue your journey.

  Ayodhya now: as the birthplace of Rama, Ayodhya has been regarded as a most important pilgrimage site for Hindus. Topographical indications in both Buddhist and Jain texts suggest that Saketa is the same as the present-day Ayodhya. The city remained deserted until King Vikrama of Ujjain came searching for it, and re-established it. He cut down the forests that had covered the ancient ruins, erected the Ramgar fort, and built 360 temples. It is believed that a temple stood at the birth place of Rama, which was demolished by the orders of the Mughal emperor Babur in 1528 A.D. and a mosque erected in its place.

  Ayodhya NOW: No trip to Ayodhya is complete without a visit to ghats of the sacred Saryu river, where it is believed Rama took his last dip and was never seen again in human form. It is also believed he bathed in the river after defeating Ravana. You can take a boat ride on the River Saryu, which is known to be the abode of hundreds of dolphins! ( Platanista Gangetica). The species is endemic to the Gangetic river system.

  King Rama after Sita left

  

  Saryu Rivee in Ayodhya: On the bank, one of the well maintained and super clean ghats of Ram Ki Pairi..Boating on the Saryu is a way to spend some wonderful time.
  Lord Hanuman's Abode. temple
  This temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. It holds high religious significance for devotees and is one of the most visited temples. Devotees believe that Lord Hanuman lived in this temple, guarding the Lord Ram's residence.

  Kanak Bhawan Temple is one of the finest and famous temples in Ayodhya and is a must visit. It is believed that this Bhawan was gifted to Devi Sita by Kaikei immediately after her marriage to Lord Ram. This is private palace of Devi Sita and Lord Rama. Vikramaditya got it renovated.