Important Locations of Bhagwan Ram’s Exile As Per Valmiki Ramayan
Let’s trace the major locations mentioned in the Valmiki Ramayana from the time Lord Rama left Ayodhya until his journey to Sri Lanka:
- Ayodhya: The journey begins in Ayodhya, the capital of the Kosala Kingdom, where Lord Rama was originally crowned as the heir to the throne.
- Chitrakoot: After leaving Ayodhya, Lord Rama, along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana, spent some time in the Chitrakoot region. Chitrakoot is described as a picturesque forest area located on the banks of the Mandakini River.
- Panchavati: Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana then moved to Panchavati, a forest region near the Godavari River. Panchavati is often associated with the area around present-day Nashik in Maharashtra.
- Kishkindha: Rama and Lakshmana, while searching for Sita, reached the region of Kishkindha. Kishkindha is the kingdom of the monkey brothers Vali and Sugriva. The exact location is not specified, but it is generally associated with parts of Karnataka.
- Rishyamukha Parvat: In Kishkindha, Lord Rama meets Hanuman and Sugriva on Rishyamukha Parvat, a mountain. The location of Rishyamukha is not precisely identified, but it is considered a significant place in the Ramayana narrative.
- Lake Pampa: After forming an alliance with Sugriva and the Vanara army, Lord Rama and his allies set up their base near Lake Pampa.Lake Pampa, also known as Pampa Sarovar or Pampa Lake, is a significant location in the Ramayana. It is associated with the period when Lord Rama, along with his allies, was in search of his abducted wife, Sita. The location of Pampa is traditionally believed to be in the present-day Hampi region of Karnataka, India. Hampi is an ancient town that was once the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. Pampa Lake is situated near Hampi, and it is considered a sacred site with historical and mythological significance. According to the Ramayana, Pampa Lake is where Lord Rama and his allies, including Hanuman and the Vanara army, established their base while planning the strategy to rescue Sita from the demon king Ravana.
- Mount Prasravana: With the help of Hanuman and the Vanaras, Lord Rama builds a bridge (Setu) to cross the ocean to reach Lanka. Mount Prasravana is mentioned as one of the locations during this period.Mount Prasravana, also known as Prasravana Parvata, is mentioned in the Ramayana as a location where Lord Rama and the Vanara army gathered during the construction of the bridge (Setu) to Lanka. The exact geographical location of Mount Prasravana is not explicitly mentioned in the Valmiki Ramayana, and its identification can vary.In some traditions and interpretations, Mount Prasravana is associated with a location near the southern coast of India, where the Vanara army prepared for the construction of the bridge to Lanka. However, the specific identification of Mount Prasravana is not universally agreed upon, and different retellings of the Ramayana may provide varying details.
- Lanka (Sri Lanka): The ultimate destination is Lanka, the island kingdom of the demon king Ravana. Lanka is located across the ocean from the southern tip of the Indian subcontinent and is traditionally identified with modern-day Sri Lanka.
These locations are key points in the epic narrative of the Valmiki Ramayana, and their precise geographical identification may vary based on different interpretations and traditions.
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