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.

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

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Ayodhya, UP Tourism

Prayagraj houses an Ashokan pillar edict. The pillar marks an enormous continuity in the heritage of India.

Prayagraj is of great significance in Ramayana. It was chosen by Ashoka as the site of one of his pillars. Samudragupta marked his inscription on the same pillar. Later on Jehangir also added to it. All of them recognised its historical value and legacy.

Nashik does not have any Ashokan edict. Kalsi and Dhauli have rock edicts but these are not connected to Lord Rama’s journey.

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Footsteps of Rama, Vikrant Pande and Neelesh Kulkarni.

Kanak Mahal is now a huge temple complex. It is built like a palace as it was gifted by Kaikeyi to Sita after her marriage to Lord Rama. It is recognized as an important centre of madhuropasana (sweet devotion). Traditionally musical gatherings have been organized on important occasions here. Stalwarts like Pt Jasraj have performed in Kanak Mahal.

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

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Ayodhya, UP Tourism

The Lonar lake and crater were created when a meteorite crashed into earth 5.70,000 years ago. Lord Rama is believed to have visited Lonar during his journey through Dhandakaranya forest. He performed the Shraddha of Dasharath here. Later, Shatrughan kills Lavanasura and sets up his capital here. The name Lonar is a modification of the name Lavanar.

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Footsteps of Rama, Vikrant Pande and Neelesh Kulkarni.

Nashik is one of the four locations of Kumbh Mela. It is also the site of the disfiguring of Surpanakha and the site of Sita’s abduction.

Haridwar and Ujjain too host a Kumbh Mela. Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu hosts a Kumbh like festival every 12 years. However, none of these towns are part of Ramayana milestones.

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Footsteps of Rama, Vikrant Pande and Neelesh Kulkarni.

Picture Credit
https //indianculture.gov.in/intangible-cultural-heritage/social-practices-rituals-and-festive-events/kumbh-mela

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.

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

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Ayodhya, UP Tourism

Parvati prayed and bathed in Pampa Sarovar (in Karnataka) to get Lord Shiva as her husband.

When Sabri met Rama and Lakshmana, she led them to Pampa Sarovar. She indicated that they would meet Sugreeva there and that he will help them in the search for Ravana.

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Footsteps of Rama, Vikrant Pande and Neelesh Kulkarni.

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www.facebook.compampasarovaranegundi

Hampi is believed to be the capital city of Kishkintha from where Vali and Sugreev ruled. Hampi has several temples associated with the Ramayana epic and was the capital of the Vijayanagara empire.

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Footsteps of Rama, Vikrant Pande and Neelesh Kulkarni.

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www.karnatakatourism.org

There are 22 tirthas in the form of wells within the Ramanathaswamy temple in Rameswaram. Devotees drench themselves with the water from each of the tirthas before they take darshan. Each tirtha is connected to the Ramayana Itihaasa.

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Footsteps of Rama, Vikrant Pande and Neelesh Kulkarni.

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Ramanujam SR

Ramtek literally means the place where Lord Rama stopped or rested. He is believed to have rested here for a while during his exile.

Ramtek is also the location from which Kalidasa is believed to have composed the immortal Meghdoot. The geographical features of Ramtek closely match the description in the verses of the poem.

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Footsteps of Rama, Vikrant Pande and Neelesh Kulkarni.

Divirumpola is the site where Sita met Rama after the war. This is also the place where the Agni Pareeksha of Sita was conducted. A stupa is built over the spot of Agni Pareeksha. A platform commemorates the place of Agnipareeksha. Divirumpola means oath at the rice fields. A wooden sculpture of Hanumanji carved out of a single mango tree is present here.

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Footsteps of Rama, Vikrant Pande and Neelesh Kulkarni.
Ramayana in Lanka

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www.flickr.comphotoslakpura

Bharat ruled from Nandigram during Rama’s exile. When Rama was returning to Ayodhya, he did not want to claim the kingdom against Bharat’s wish. Therefore he sent Hanuman to assess the intent of Bharat. Hanuman came in disguise as a Brahmin and tested Bharat’s will to welcome Rama.

The temple here shows Bharat and Hanuman in embrace after Hanuman revealed to Bharat his true form. The Jata Kund here is believed to be the place where Lord Rama and Lakshman cut their matted hair at the end of their exile.

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

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UP Tourism