The Route of Ramayana

Ramayana. Consider it as a mythological epic, or a real event that occurred thousands of years ago. Ramayana is one factor that is a super-glue to Hindu culture. You can comfortably say, Hinduism is empty without Ramayana (and Mahabharata, another epic). The map and description here state various places that existed during the '14 years' exile of Prince Ram' and the search of his wife Sita, who got kidnapped by Lanka king, Ravana.

Ayodhya - known by the same name as today, Ayodhya's story needs no introduction. It has always been home to Prince (or Lord) Ram. Currently, it's located in Uttar Pradesh.

Tamsa Nadi Tal - currently, Mardah, in Ghazipur district, Uttar Pradesh.

Shringaverapura - currently Shringaverpur or Singraur, in Allahabad (or Prayagraj), Uttar Pradesh. Kewat helped Ram, Sita, and Lakshamana cross the Ganga river.

Chitrakoot - known by the same name, is situated in Satna district, Madhya Pradesh. It was here the location of Valmiki Ashram, Mandavya Ashram, Bharat Koop, etc. The famous Bharat Milaap took place here.

Sharbhana Muni Ashram - situated in Satna, Madhya Pradesh. While their stay in Dandakaranya for the next 10 years, Ram, Sita, and Lakshman stayed at various memorials currently in Panna, Raipur, Bastar, Jagdalpur, Surguja, Korba, etc. - all in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh states.

Sutikshan Muni Ashram - situated in Satna, Madhya Pradesh.

Bhadrachalam - Bhadradari, in Telangana.

Ramtake - or Ramtek, Nagpur

NASHIK - this city (as it is known by its current name) has a lot of significance to the story of Ramayana. Agastya Muni gave Lord Ram the weapons made in Agnishala of the Ashram here. At Sarva Tirtha, Jatayu was killed while he tried to free Sita from Ravana. The famous Surpanakha incident happened at Panchavati. Also, near the Pancha Bargad in the same place, Sita was kidnapped by Raavan. The golden deer Marich was killed by Lord Ram at Mrigvyadeshwar. Other places of equal importance are Baneshwar, Ramkund and Tryambakeshwar, all in Nashik.

Rishyamook Parbat - situated in Koppal district, Karnataka, Ram and Lakshman met Hanuman and Sugreev here. It was this place where Ram killed Bali.

Shabri Ashram at Pampasarovar - situated at Sureban, Belgaum district, Karnataka.

Malay Parbat - the Western Ghats starting from Mangalore to Malabar.

Tiruchchirappalli - known by the same name, in Tamil Nadu.

Rameshwaram - known by the same name. The place from where Ram and his Vanara Sena built a bridge to Lanka.

SRI LANKA

Sri Lanka is the abode of King Raavan, the antagonist of the story. Below here are the places where majorly the captivity of Sita and the Ram-Raavan battle took place.

NUWARA ELIYA - the city of Nuwara Eliya holds prime importance here. It is here that Ashok Vatika was located. The Seetha Amman Temple where Sita was held captive by Raavan; the Sitha Kotuwa, where she was imprisoned; Kothmale, where Sita scattered rice balls to help Ram find her.

Munneswaram Temple - located at Puttalam, the place where Lord Ram prayed to Lord Shiva.

Manavari Temple - located at Bangadeniya. Manavari is a temple where Lord Rama installed his first lingam as Lord Shiva advised. This was done as a remedy for committing Brahmincide by killing King Ravana. Lord Rama was advised to build 5 lingams in Sri Lanka by Lord Shiva.

Dolukanda Sanjeewanee Mountain - located at Unawatuna, Rumassala (in Galle), Ritigala (in Anuradhapura), Thalladi (in Mannar), Kacchativu. Chunks of the Sanjeevani mountain fell off at these places while Hanuman was carrying it through.

Nilawari - currently spelt as Nilavarai, at Jaffna. Where Lord Ram created a water spring that never dries.

Laggala - located at Matale. The place where Raavan used to meditate.

Dunuwila - located in Central Province; where Lord Ram killed king Raavan, and the final battle was fought.

Yahangala - located in Central Province; the place where Raavan's body was kept after his death.

Divurumpola - known as Wellimada, Uva Province; the place where Sita proved her chastity with ‘Agni Pariksha’.

Ravana Elia - known as Elia; the capital of Lanka; Raavan lived here.