Sita Rama Ayodhya Lanka Journey:Lord Ram’s birth anniversary will be celebrated across the country on Ram Navami on 17th April. Extensive preparations have been made in Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Ayodhya. Surya Tilak of Ramlala will be done at 12 noon in Ayodhya Ram temple.
Apart from Ayodhya Ram Temple, grand preparations are also being made for Ram Janmotsav at those places in the country where Lord Ram stayed while going from Ayodhya to Sri Lanka. On the eve of Ram Navami, people are introduced to the historical and religious importance of such places associated with Lord Ram. Apart from India, some places are located in Nepal and Sri Lanka.
Pilgrimage sites associated with Lord Ram from Ayodhya to Sri Lanka
- Tamsa River: After leaving Ayodhya, Lord Ram stayed for some time on the Tamsa river. Its distance from Ayodhya is 20 km. Lord Rama had crossed the Tamsa river through a boat.
- Shringaverpur Tirtha: Shringaverpur Tirtha, located about 20 km away from Prayagraj, was the home kingdom of Nishadraj. It was here that God had asked the boatman to cross the Ganga. People now know Shringverpur as Singaur.
- Kurai: After crossing the Ganga, Lord Shri Ram spent some time in Kurai. This site is situated in Uttar Pradesh.
- Prayagraj: After Kurai, Lord Ram reached Prayagraj with brother Lakshman and Janaki.
- Chitrakoot: After Prayagraj, Lord Ram reached Chitrakoot. Here he spent most of his exile period of about 11 years. King Bharat had come to Chitrakoot with his entire family to bring Lord Ram. The place where Bharat Milan took place is known as Bharat Kupa.
- Satna: After Chitrakoot, Lord Rama came to the ashram of Atri Rishi. A big city has developed around this ashram situated on the banks of river Tamas.
- Punishment: Lord Ram had reached Dandakaranya after leaving Chitrakoot. Some areas of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra together are called Dandakaranya.
- Panchavati Nashik: After Dandakaranya, Lord Rama reached the ashram of Agastya Muni. Which was on the banks of Godavari in Panchavati area of Nashik. Here Lakshman had cut off the nose of Shurpanakha.
