All Rishis, Kings, Asuras, Devas, Vanaras, Brahmans, Scholars, Artistes and everyone was invited to the grand Yajna. There was a sculpture of Sita Devi made of gold, to represent the wife of the king conducting the Yaga. All participants accepted the Havis, the essence from the Yajna. Everyone received ample gifts. All the participants agreed that never has such a grand Yajna been conducted.

In the Valmiki Ramayana, there is no mention of the deity of Sita being kept for the Yajna. However, it mentions that Rama continued to rule in Ayodhya for several years after the departure of Sita. Afterwards, every time he conducted a Yajna, he kept a deity of Sita in the Yajna.

Additional Source: Essential Ramayana by Arjun Bharadwaj

Picture Credit: J Martin and Manoj Publications

Valmiki came to the Ashwamedha Yajna venue with Lava and Kusha. He asked them to start telling the story of Rama. “ If the emperor asks you to sing it, do not be nervous. If he asks about you, just tell him that you are Brahmacharis. If he offers any gifts, tell him that you would take only some fruits and roots, nothing else as gifts."

The boys started singing the Ramayana in their sweet voice in unison, and people got captivated. Hearing about these two bright Brahmacharis singing his story so well, Rama asked them to come to his palace and sing Ramayana. Rama offered them gifts but the boys declined it politely. It was arranged that in the afternoon, after the day’s Yajna had been completed, the boys would continue reciting Ramayana. Sri Rama understood that the boys are Sita's sons.

In the popular retellings, Luv-Kush steal the Ashwamedha Yajna horse, fight Shatrughna, Lakshmana and Bharata and tie up Hanumanji and Jambhavan. Rama himself comes to the forest to meet them. These are not part of Valmiki Ramayana.

Picture Credit: J Martin and Manoj Publications

Bithoor is rich in history. It is the location of the Valmiki Ashram. Luv and Kush are believed to have been born here. Historically, Bithoor is where NanaSaheb Peshwa spent time in his exile. It is the location of the start of 1857 Indian war of independence where 300 Britishers were slain. Rani Jhansi grew up in Bithoor and Tantya Tope taught her at Bithoor.

Source
Footsteps of Rama, Vikrant Pande and Neelesh Kulkarni.
UP A to Z, UP Tourism

Picture Credit
UP A to Z UP Tourism

After he met his sons, Rama sent a messenger to the Ashram of Valmiki. He conveyed the message that if Janaki is pure, she can prove it in public and rejoin Rama me as the queen. Valmiki agreed to arrange this.

Rama wanted the public to witness the solemn swearing to be undertaken by Sita Devi so that he can alleviate the doubts from everyone. Valmiki reiterated to Rama that Sita is like Mahalakshmi and if he is still doubtful, he can ask her directly. She will not hesitate to prove it.

Rama replied that Agni, Mahadeva, Brahma and now Valmiki have all vouched for Sita and that is enough for him. He confessed that because of his thoughtlessness, he abandoned her blindly fearing a scandal. He asked for forgiveness. He then asked for Sita to take a solemn vow for the public to hear.

Picture Credit: J Martin and Manoj Publications

Rama asked Sita to take a solemn vow in public so that the doubts of the citizens can be allayed. However, Sita instead sought, “If I have never desired any other man than my husband, O Mother Earth, take me with you.”

She did not seek a redemption and reunion with Rama, like in Agni Pariksha.

Immediately the Yajna floor split, Mother Earth appeared sitting on a throne, grabbed Sita, sat her down on her lap and disappeared into the depth of the earth. in no time. The whole world stood still, and everyone was shocked. Sri Rama was dejected and sorrowful.

Picture Credit: J Martin and Manoj Publications

Rama was incensed that Mother Earth took Sita back without waiting for Rama’s opinion. He resolved to flood the earth and remove its status as one of the five elements.

Brahma reminded Rama that Rama can live with Sita Devi as Lakshmi. He asked Rama not to be swayed by grief as pleasure and pain come alternatively in human life. He asked him to continue hearing Valmiki Ramayana fully. The boys continued their singing the great epic till the Yajna was over.

Picture Credit: Dreamland Publications

Yama, the god of death himself, in the guise of a sage, arrived in Ayodhya to meet Rama.

Rama told Lakshmana to stand guard and not let anyone interrupt their meeting. The sage revealed to Rama that he is Dharmaraja, the god of death, visiting under the directions of Brahma. He told Rama that he has completed about eleven thousand years here as Rama. It is Brahma's opinion that Rama’s life on earth has been fruitful and he has completed his duties as a human. Yama asked him to return to Vaikunda.

Picture Credit: J Martin and Manoj Publications.

As Yama in the guise of a sage and Rama were in conference, Rishi Durvasa came to see Sri Rama. Lakshmana denied him entry and the Rishi threatened to curse Lakshmana and the kingdom to ashes. Lakshmana did not want the kingdom to take the consequences and therefore disrupted the meeting.

Rama was then forced to follow his own order. He had told Lakshmana that he would kill anyone who disrupts the meeting. Seeing Rama’s agony, Lakshmana himself offered to get killed. The ministers and Vasishta also advised Rama that he must kill Lakshmana to keep up his oath. Else Dharma will deteriorate. They reminded Rama that his father Dasaratha too abandoned Rama to keep up his promise.

Lakshmana immersed himself in Sarayu River.

Picture Credit: Dreamland Publications

Sri Rama called all the ministers and declared that he will not live in the palace any longer. Bharata and Shatrughna decided to follow Rama. So did most of the residents of Ayodhya.

Rama blessed Vibhishana that he may live ruling Rakshasas as long as the sun, the moon, the earth, and the sky remain. He also blessed Hanuman that he will live as long as the story of Rama is alive and agile. He proceeded with his brothers and citizens to the banks of Sarayu. Brahma recited the Brahma Stuti extolling Rama.

Rama asked Brahma that everyone who follows him should reach heaven. Accordingly humans, Asuras, birds, animals, Devas, and even insects went to heaven because of Sri Rama's compassion.

Picture Credit: J Martin and Manoj Publications

Guptar Ghat is the location on the Sarayu river from where Rama left this world. It is called Gupt to represent the vanishing of Rama. It is about 10 kms downstream of Ayodhya town. The banks of the river are vast and there is a daily Aarti.

Source
Footsteps of Rama, Vikrant Pande and Neelesh Kulkarni.
UP A to Z, UP Tourism

Picture Credit
Ayodhya, UP Tourism

Hanumanji resides in the Hanuman Garhi temple of Ayodhya as a protector of Ayodhya. Lord Ram himself is supposed to have given this responsibility when he left earth.

Befitting this role, the Hanumanji deity, though small in size, is atop a throne in Hanuman Garhi. The temple is a fortified structure with bastions in each corner. Like a fort, the temple is reached by climbing a short flight of steps. It is quite close to the Ram Janambhoomi site and is on the hilly contours of Ramkot. Pilgrims first visit Hanuman  Garhi after a bath at Sarayu and before they visit Ram Janambhoomi.

Source
Footsteps of Rama, Vikrant Pande and Neelesh Kulkarni.
Ayodhya, UP Tourism

Picture Credit

Ayodhya, UP Tourism