10 Epic Ramayana Places That You Need to Visit Once in Your Life
Ramayana is one of the most important symbols of our country’s cultural heritage and national identity. The Ramayana belongs to a class called Kavya or epics, in which the form is considered more important than the stories and poetic ornament of Alamkara is abundantly applied.
Ramayana is an epic narrative poem written in Sanskrit, the ancient language of India. Probably written in the 2000s BC, Ramayanas is attributed to a wise male figure called Rama who is called ‘Maryada Purushottam‘.
Although it is a fairly long poem with over 24,000 verses, the narrative is interspersed with philosophy, ethics, and written duties. The story of Ramayana revolves around politics, morality, loyalty, battles between demons and tribes, etc.
Lord Rama travelled to different parts of India during his lifetime and those places are now worshipped with great reverence. Some of the places that are mentioned in Ramayana are still present with different names.
We have curated a list of 10 epic places that Lord Rama travelled during his journey. These are the places that are referred to in the Ramayana book and still present in the world. You can easily travel to these Ramayana places and immerse yourself in a sense of spiritualism and peacefulness. Make sure to check the list of trains that go to these epic places before you plan your journey.
1. Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh
Where Lord Rama began His journey
The main character of Ramayana, Lord Rama, was born in Ayodhya. After his father king Dashrath granted his youngest wife Kekayi her wish and banished Rama to the forest, Lord Rama went to a 14-year exile. Owing to the Rama Janmabhoomi – Babri Masjid event, people have become more familiar with this place in recent years.
Ayodhya, however, is a prominent Ramayana location. It was also known by the name Saket during earlier times and is located near the town of Faizabad in Uttar-Pradesh.
Ayodhya is now home to thousands of devotees each year during the Ram Navami season, bordering the Faizabad area of Uttar Pradesh. A multitude of temples, be sure to feel spiritual transcendence if you are visiting this holy land.
2. Janakpur, Nepal
Where Goddess Sita was born and raised
One of the main characters of Ramayana, Sita was born here. Since Asmit and Sita are prominent figures in Hindu mythology, Janakpur is an important place for Hindu pilgrimage from all over the world.
According to the ‘Satapatha Brahmana’ book, the Maithil King, Videgha Māthava, crossed Sadânirā (Gandaki) and established the Kingdom of Videha, the capital of Janakpur, under the leadership of his priest, Gotama Rahugana.
Since Gotama Rahugana made numerous Rigveda hymns, these things must be dated to Rigvedic times. Today Janakpur or sometimes called Janakpur Dham is a large town in Dhanusa district in Nepal.
3. Prayagraj (Allahabad), Uttar Pradesh
Where Rama arrived at the hermitage of Sage Bharadwaj at the confluence of river Ganga
Lord Rama crossed the Ganga River from Prayagraj to go beyond their kingdom along with his wife Sita and his brother Lakshman. Before going ahead, the group spent some time at the Ashram of Sage Bharadwaj.
This city was known as Allahabad until recently when the UP government decided to rename it back to Prayagraj. Countless references to Puranas, the Ramayana, and the Mahabharat manifest the sanctity of this region.
In addition, this town is also known as the birthplace of Amitabh Bachchan and the largest religious gathering on the planet for Kumbh Mela.
4. Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh
Where the Holy Couple built a humble house to settle
Chitrakoot is an important site for all Hindus. It is where Atri Muni, Rishi Agastya, and Sage Sharbhanga, the three Great Sages of India, decided to meditate. Chitrakoot is a beautiful and peaceful spot for pilgrimage and also nicknamed as God’s home!
It’s one of the locations where Lord Rama spent his 14-year exile in. Chitrakoot is one of the important places connected with Ramayana where Bharat persuaded Lord Rama to go back to Ayodhya and where his wife, Dasharatha, carried out his last rites with all the gods and goddesses.
Chitrakoot is an important village with a special significance, half of which is situated in Madhya Pradesh and the other half in Uttar Pradesh.
5. Nashik, Maharashtra
Lakshmana cut off the nose of Surpanakha, younger sister of Ravana
Nashik is of great mythological, geographical, social, and cultural significance for all Hindus. The city is located on the banks of the River Godavari, making it one of the holiest locations for Hindus in the country.
Nashik has a rich historical past, as history has shown that Lord Rama, King of Ayodhya, made Nashik his home during his 14 years in exile. Around the same spot, Lord Laxman, at the request of Lord Rama, cut the nose of “Surpanakha” and thus this town was called “Nashik.”
It was known as “Padmanagar” during Krita Yuga, “Trikantak” during Treta Yuga, “Janasthan” during Dwapara Yuga, and it ultimately became Nashik in Kali Yuga. Nashik is also home to one of the great Kumbh Melas of India.
6. Dandakaranya, India
Where Lord Rama spent a lot of time in exile
An important place of Ramayana that existed during Ramayana days was Dandhkarnya. Surpanakha first saw Lord Rama and fell in love with him. His two brothers, Khar and Dushan, attempted to attack Lord Rama but were later defeated. This place was a big forest area then and Lord Rama spent some time in these forests.
Dandakaranya is said to be a vast place back in time that is currently composed of parts of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Orissa. On a spiritual trip, people can visit the Dudhsagar Falls and Sula Vineyards for a relaxing time.
7. Panchvati, Maharashtra
Where Lord Rama stayed during his exile
Incidents in Panchvati have changed the lives of Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, and Lakshman, that’s why they are considered to be one of the most important locations of Ramayana.
Lakshman cut down the nose of Surpanakha here and Ravana, a great Pandit abducted Goddess Sita from here in exchange for that. Panchvati is officially known as Nashik and is situated in the states of Maharashtra.
Ram Kala Mandir, which is one of the most visited places in India, is also nestled within this serene location. You can visit this place at any time of the year.
8. Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu
Where Lord Rama worshipped Shiva and constructed the famous Ram Setu
Rameshwaram is one of India ‘s holiest locations, one of the Char Dham – four Hindu abodes. The monkey army built a stone bridge named Ram Setu from Rameshwaram to Lanka.
It was in that location. According to legends, Goddess Sita constructed the Shiva Lingam on which the present auspicious Rameshwaram Temple stands after her return from Lanka.
Today, Rameshwaram is located in Tamil Nadu, a southern state of India. It is 600 km away from Chennai, the capital city.
9. Ashok Vatika, Sri Lanka
Where Goddess Sita stayed in Lanka
Sita declined to live in the palace of Ravana after he took away Goddess Sita to his kingdom, Lanka. She insisted on living under the Ashoka tree, hence it is named Ashok Vatika. It is indeed one of the most visited Ramayana locations in the world.
This is one of the main things that connect Sri Lanka with the rich Indian culture and heritage. In the Hakgala Botanical Garden near Sri Lanka’s resort town of Nuwara Eliya, it is confirmed to be present today.
10. Hampi, Karnataka
Where Rama met the Monkey Army and headed south
Hampi’s history is related to the ancient Kishkindha, renowned for ‘Vanara’ or the Kingdom of Monkey, whose connection can also be found in the epic Ramayana.
Considering the importance of Ramayana, Hampi is one of the most stunning and historical towns in India.
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