Ramayana the sacred Hindu Epic is not just a poetic tale about a Noble Prince Lord Rama, but it is an integral part of the Indian culture, and religious customs. On the literary side, Ramayana is known as one of the greatest pieces of Literature ever written. The protagonist Lord Rama goes through an exile of 14 years and travels across India during this time facing hardships and even a war. Every part or the smallest detail about Ramayana is sacred to Hindu Devotees.
In this blog we have listed some of the top places that have mention in Ramayana and were part of the Lord Rama’s journey. If you want to witness the grandeur of Ramayana, then these places must be on your bucket list.
1 – Ayodhya
Ayodhya was the birthplace of Lord Rama. It is the site where everything began, the Ramayana began. Ayodhya is unarguably the most important place from Ramayana. Inside the town you will find Ramkot, which is also known as Ram Janmabhoomi. It is believed to be the birth site of Lord Rama, and in present times houses many temples. Then there is Hanumangarhi’s temple which is dedicated to Lord Hanuman, and is believed to be the spot from where Lord Hanuman protected Ramkot Fort.
The town also has the Dasrath Bhavan which is believed to be located exactly at the site where Lord Rama’s father, King Dasrath had his palace. This Bhavan is located right in the heart of the town. The town also is home to Kanak Bhawan which is also popularly known as Sone Ka Ghar. It is believed that this house was gifted to newlywed Lord Rama and Goddess Sita by his step mother Kaikeyi.
In Ayodhya you can also tour the exact place where Goddess Sita used to cook food for the royal family. The spot is known as Sita Ki Rasoi. Ayodhya is also home to numerous other temples and sacred sites that are associated with Ramayana.
2 – Janakpur
Jankapur is the birth place of Goddess Sita, and the kingdom of King Janak. It was the place where Lord Rama got married to Goddess Sita. It was here Lord Rama contested in the Swayamvar of Goddess Sita. Janakpur is one of the most sacred Hindu places in Nepal. According to the legend the erstwhile King Jagat got the land ploughed to relieve it from a drought when Goddess Sita emerged out from the ground in an earthen pot.
The Janaki Temple of this place is a religious site for Hindus across the world. Many Hindu devotees head to this sacred site especially on the auspicious day of Vivah Panchami which is known as the day when Lord Rama and Goddess Sita got married. People also visit this place during the holy day of Ram Navami, the day of the birth of Lord Rama.
The interior of the temple are designed as per the architectural times of those days, and is a great place to witness the grandeur of those times. In present times Janakpur is also known as the Janakpur Dham amidst the Hindu devotees.
3 – Prayagraj
Prayagraj which was formerly known as Allahabad is another important Hindu site from Ramayana. The legends have it that when Lord Rama was exiled, it was in Prayagraj that he crossed the River Ganges. He also spent some time in the sage Bharadwaj’s Ashram before he left for Chitrakoot. The city of Prayagraj not only has mention in Ramayana, but also has been named in many Hindu religious scriptures like Mahabharata and Puranas.
Prayagraj has a major significance in the Hindu religion, as it is the meeting point of three rivers, Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. A bath in the confluence of these rivers is regarded sacred in Hindu religion, and is supposed to wash the sins of the person. Prayagraj is also known for hosting the giant Kumbh Fest which is the largest gathering of devotees anywhere in the world.
4 – Chitrakoot
Chitrakoot is a city located on the borders of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, and is known for its natural beauty. It also has an important place in Ramayana. It was where Bharat the brother of Lord Rama came to meet him, and inform him about the demise of King Dasrath. Bharat requested Lord Rama to end his exile and return back to Ayodhya to claim the kingship. This entire sequence of events is popularly known as Bharat Milaap.
As per the legends, Lord Rama also performed the Shuddhi ritual for his father in this place, where all gods and goddesses gathered to honor the departure of King Dasrath. Hindu devotees should also visit the Gupt Godavari Cave which is tucked in a hill, and as per the legends was the place where Lord Rama and Lord Lakshman used to hold their court.
Lord Rama is believed to have spent a significant amount of his exile time in Chitrakoot. In present times it has many temples and religious sites that will appease the devotees. Some of the popular spots of Chitrakoot are Valmiki Ashramv and Rama Ghat.
5 – Dandakaranya Forest
The Dandakaranya Forest has a significant place in Ramayana. It was here Suparnakha first met Lord Rama and fell in love with him. Later when the events unfolded, her brothers Khar and Dushan attacked Lord Rama and were killed. It was here Lord Rama cut the nose of Suparnakha. As per the legends, Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, and Lord Lakshman have spent a significant amount of time in this forest. In those days, this forest was known to have many demons that lived here.
Back in time this forest was spread across, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, and Chhattisgarh. The forest was spread across the plains of Mahanadi to Godavari. The place is also popular for its Sita Ramchandra Temple which is located on the Bhadragiri Mountain. The fight between Jatayu and Ravana was held in the skies above this forest.
This forest is also home to the only temple in the world dedicated to Jatayu. Apart from being home to lush green forests, this place also is known for Tribal arts in present times. The place houses many temples where Devotees can find peace.
6 – Panchvati
Panchvati has an important place in Ramayana, which in present times is also known as the city of Nashik in Maharashtra. It was the place where Lord Rama spent significant amount of time of his exile. In Ramayana the place is also known as Tapovan. It is the same place where Lord Rama and Lord Lakshman killed Mareecha who was disguised in the form of a golden deer. It was here Ravana came to abduct Goddess Sita in form of a sage.
Some of the popular spots in here are the Kala Rama Temple, which is one of the most visited temples in the region. It is believed that the site of this temple is the exact location where Lord Rama and Goddess Sita had built their hut during their stay in Panchvati. You can also find many places that have association to Ramayana like the Sita Cave, and Kapleshwar Temple.
It is believed that Lord Ram’s and Jatayu’s friendship started from this place Panchvati. The depiction of Panchvati in Ramayana can be found in the Forest Episode, or named as Aranyakand.
7 – Lepakshi
Modern day Lepakshi is located in Andhra Pradesh, and is a site which has a significant association in Ramayana. Jatayu was Lord Rama’s friend who was a vulture, and even tried stopping Ravana while he was fleeing with Goddess Sita. He fought with Ravana and during the fight he lost his one wing. The exact location where Jatayu fell was Lepakshi. It was here he died and Lord Rama helped him attain salvation of his soul. In present times, Lepakshi is known for its temples and historical sites.
8 – Hampi
Hampi is from where the quest of Lord Rama started against Ravana. It was here when Lord Rama and Lord Lakshman started their quest to find Goddess Sita. In here they met an elderly woman Shabari who resided in the Guru Matanga’s Ashram, which in present times is known as Matanga Parvat. The elderly woman fed Lord Rama and Lord Lakshman, and even advised them to go and meet the Monkey King Sugreev and Lord Hanuman.
In the region of Kishkindha which was the kingdom of Sugreev and Bali, Lord Rama found the alliance of Monkey army which later assisted him in his quest against the army of Ravana. The place is also known for its Matanga Lake which is now called as Pampa Sarovara where Lord Rama took a bath. The place is now regarded as a holy site where devotees gather to take a plunge.
In present times Hampi is known for the architectural beauty of its monuments, which are also listed as UNESCO World Heritage site. Some of the popular spots to visit in Hampi are Shri Virupaksha Temple, Lotus Mahal, and the Hazara Rama temple.
9 – Rameshwaram
Rameshwaram is one of the most religious sites for Hindu Devotees. It is also a part of the popular Chaar Dhaam’s of the Hindu religion. It was from here that the monkey army of Lord Rama built the stone bridge to cross the ocean to reach the kingdom of Ravana. It is believed that when Lord Rama returned from his quest along with Goddess Sita, she built a Shiva Ling at the site where the Shiv temple of Rameshwaram stands in present times.
It is believed that this Shiv Ling was built to pray to Lord Shiva in an attempt to seek forgiveness for killing Ravana who was a devotee of Lord Shiva. In present times devotees from all across the nation visit this holy temple and take a bath in the ocean as a part of their pilgrimage. Some of the top spots that one must visit in Rameshwaram are Ramanathaswamy Temple, Pamban Bridge.
Apart from the temples, beaches and the religious sites, you can also see the parts of the stone bridge or Adam’s bridge, or Ram Setu. You will also get to see the floating rocks in this temple which were used for the making of this bridge.
Travel is a religion that all must follow!
