Shabri ran away from her wedding to save the lives of several animals which were earmarked for sacrifice during her wedding. She took shelter in Pampa Sarovar. Matang Rishi was using the Sarovar till then. His disciples were not comfortable with Shabri, a woman, sharing the area with monastic disciples. However Matang Rishi realized that Shabri has been blessed by Vishnu himself. He requested her to move to Suriban (Surevan) and promised that Vishnu in the avatar of Rama would visit her and share her food. He also gave her the important task of pointing Rama to Pampa Sarovar where he would find Sugreeva.

Source
Footsteps of Rama, Vikrant Pande and Neelesh Kulkarni.

Picture Credit
karnatakatravel.blogspot.com201201shabari-kolla

The Adi Jagannatha temple in Tiruppullani near Rameswaram has a deity of reclining Rama. This is the place where Rama, on the advice of Vibishana, lay down on darba bed and prayed to Samudra raja to show a way towards Lanka. Thus, the deity is called Dharbhasayana Ramar.

Source
Footsteps of Rama, Vikrant Pande and Neelesh Kulkarni.

Picture Credit
sadagopan.org

Unawatuna is supposed to have vegetation unlike that of the rest of Sri Lanka, but resembling those of Himalayas. The rocks are also supposed to emit a peculiar sound when knocked, unlike that of other places in Sri Lanka. The entire hill is supposed to have plants with medicinal properties which are used even now for making traditional medicines. It is believed that this is the Sanjeevani mountain that was thrown away after resuscitating Lakshmana. The name Unawatuna also means “that which slipped between the fingers.” There is another belief that this is one of the spots where parts of the Sanjeevani mountain fell while being carried, similiar to Mani Parvat in Ayodhya.

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

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Ramayana Tirtha

Rajapur is the birthplace of Tulsidas. He started writing Ramacharitramanas in the year 1574 AD. Portions of the original manuscript are preserved in the home of descendants of Tulsidas’ disciples.

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

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Chitrakoot, UP Tourism

Bijethua is the place where Hanuman ji stopped to quench his thirst while on the way to bring Sanjeevini from Himalayas. In this place Hanumanji is supposed to have killed the son of Maricha, Kalnemi. He had been sent by Ravana to distract Hanumanji and ensure that he fails to bring the Sanjeevani back.

Source
Footsteps of Rama, Vikrant Pande and Neelesh Kulkarni.

Picture Credit
www.facebook.comBijethua-Mahaveeran-149874771808344

Shringaverpur is situated on Allahabad-Lucknow road, said to be once the kingdom of Nishadraj (King of Boatmen). Lord Rama travelled till here in his chariot and dismissed his charioteer here. Sringaverpur appears to be the confines of civilisaion and after this point, Rama’s journey was through forests and on foot. There is a platform on the bank of the river Ganga, Ramchaura, believed to be the place where Lord Ram stayed overnight while proceeding to his exile. His were washed by Nishadraj before he carried them across the river on his boat.

Source
UP A to Z UP Tourism

The Geography of Rama’s Exile, F.E Fargiter, Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society

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UP A to Z UP Tourism

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.

Source
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

Parvati appeared before Rama in the form of Sita, looking to deceive him. The rock in which she stood is called ghat shila. When Rama recognized her as Parvati and prostrated before her, she instructed Rama to go further south and that he will find his objective. The rock in which she stood is worshipped as the deity.

Source
Footsteps of Rama, Vikrant Pande and Neelesh Kulkarni.

Picture Credit

www.facebook.comShreeYedeshwariDeviYermala

Arthur C Clarke, while diving off the coast of Trinconamalee found artefacts from the original Shiva temple of the Chola period. He also found remnants of an underwater temple. The Shiva Lingam is now consecrated and worshipped in the Koneswarama temple.

Source
Footsteps of Rama, Vikrant Pande and Neelesh Kulkarni.

Picture Credit

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.

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

Picture Credit

www.flickr.comphotoslakpura

Walkeshwar or Walukeshwar refers to a lingam made of Walu or sand. At Walukeshwar Rama shot an arrow into the ground which created a water tank. Thereafter, Rama scooped some sand and made a linga which has hardened over the years. Walkeshwar is in Malabar Hills in Mumbai adjacent to the Governor’s Bungalow. It is a quaint location in an otherwise modern residential area.

Source
Footsteps of Rama, Vikrant Pande and Neelesh Kulkarni.

Picture Credit
www.edwinlordweeks.org.The-Temple-And-Tank-Of-Walkeschwar-At-Bombay

Chakia Purva is a village where Rama camped on his first night outside Ayodhya in exile. The villagers of Ayodhya were determined to follow him. Before Sunrise Rama left quietly leaving false tracks in a different direction. That is why the place is called Chakia, referring to chakia diya, i.e he misguided them. The village is to the east (Purva) of the campsite.

Source
Footsteps of Rama, Vikrant Pande and Neelesh Kulkarni.

Picture Credit

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.

Source
Footsteps of Rama, Vikrant Pande and Neelesh Kulkarni.

Picture Credit

www.karnatakatourism.org

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

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UP A to Z UP Tourism

1. 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.

Source
Footsteps of Rama, Vikrant Pande and Neelesh Kulkarni.

Picture Credit
Ramanujam