Lord Rama’s exile from the royal palace to the forest is one of the most significant moments in the Ramayana that reflects and communicates many values like sacrifice, duty, humbleness and deep loyalty. Even though Lord Rama was the rightful heir to the throne of Ayodhya after King Dashartha, fate took an unexpected turn and his father King Dasharatha had to exile him to the forest for 14 years due to a promise he made to his youngest wife, Kaikeyi. A long time ago,Kaikeyi had saved King Dasharatha’s life during a severe battle and in gratitude the King had granted her two boons (also known as two requests or favours). Kaikeyi, misled by her maid Manthara, used these two boons to demand the King to exile Lord Rama and to secure the throne for her own son, Prince Bharata. The King who was bound by his own words and royal honor as a king had to fulfill his promise. Therefore, King Dasharatha reluctantly ordered Rama to leave the palace and go to the forest for 14 years.
Irrespective of the shocking and unexpected trials, Lord Rama who was righteous, obediently accepted his father’s decision and order without question or neglect. Without any hesitation Rama along with his wife, Sita, and loyal brother, Lakshmana started his difficult journey to live in the deep forests.
The transformation from the royal luxuries of the royal palace to the deep and dangerous conditions of the forest made this new chapter for Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana a very tragic and difficult journey.
Ravana, the ten-headed demon king of Lanka who was very popular for his great intelligence, strength and immense power that is perfectly displayed especially during his cunning plan to abduct Sita. Ravana who was deeply captivated and attracted towards Sita’s divine beauty and grace was so determined to make her his own. To make his cunning plan work he reaches a demon capable of shapeshifting known as Maricha for help. In order to distract Lord Rama and Lakshmana,the demon Maricha shapeshifts to change his appearance to the form of an unmatched golden deer.
When Sita saw the Golden deer she became very curious and deeply desired to have the beautiful deer and she pleaded with Rama to capture it for her. Even though Rama sensed something unusual and uneasy about this weird creature, Rama agrees to her request and leaves to find the golden deer. To ensure Sita’s safety during his absence Rama told his younger brother Lakshmana to stay with Sita and guard her. However, as Rama disappears into the deep forest.Maricha decides to return to his true form of demon and mimics Rama’s voice as if he was calling out for help.
Then Sita who was worried by Rama’s cry insisted that Lakshmana should go and rescue Rama.Lakshmana draws a protective line that is also known as the Lakshmana Rekha around their hut and after warning Sita not to step beyond it he immediately leaves to find Rama. Finding this great opportunity, Ravana immediately disguises himself in the form of an ascetic approaching Sita seeking alms. Sita who trusted his disguise steps out of the protective boundary to offer him some food. At this point, Ravana immediately reveals his true self and abducts Sita then carries her away in his chariot to his golden palace in Lanka.
Hanuman, the great monkey god is known for his strength, intelligence and for his unparalleled devotion towards Lord Rama. He plays the primary role in the mission to rescue Sita from Ravana’s evil plots. Hanuman is also known as the son of Vayu, the wind god, Hanuman possesses some incredible powers like the ability to change his size, fly very long distances and amazing physical strength. When Lord Rama learns that Sita is held captive in Lanka, Hanuman himself delivers Rama’s message of hope and love to her.
Overtime, the preparations for the mission to rescue Sita intensified and Hanuman played another important role by constructing a bridge across the ocean that is known as the Rama Setu with the help of a skilled engineer in the monkey army named Nala and an army of 10,000 monkeys and the bridge allowed Lord Rama and his forces to march towards Lanka from Ayodhya to rescue Sita.
When Lord Rama, Hanuman and their powerful army of monkeys finally arrived at the seashores of Lanka they were prepared to face Ravana and his mighty forces of demons and his trusted brothers to defend his kingdom and resist Rama’s attempt to rescue Sita.
The battle was fierce and relentless. Ravana’s forces were equipped with extraordinary abilities and demonic dark strength and they fought violently against Rama’s monkey army. However Rama and his army destroy Ravana’s allies one by one, including his demons and brothers. The significant moment comes where Rama faces Ravana himself. Ravana uses every weapon and magical power that he has. However, Rama’s divine strength and righteousness toward dharma guided him through the battle giving him victory. Rama uses his Brahmastra to cut off Ravana’s ten heads,which marks an end to his evil plots. Ravana’s fall marks the victory of good over evil and Rama’s great victory makes the way for his reunion with Sita and the restoration of justice,peace and joy.
After defeating Ravana, Lord Rama immediately went and rescued Sita from abduction. However, their reunion is overshadowed by another unfortunate trial. Rama who was bound by societal expectations heard the whispers of doubt among his people. These doubts arose from the fact that Sita had been held captive in Ravana's palace for a very long period. To silence these accusations against her and to confirm her purity and loyalty towards Rama, Sita chooses to undergo the Agni Pariksha that is also known as the trial by fire.
Sita steps into a huge blazing fire voluntarily with her head held high and her faith straight and confident. The fire god Agni himself came to protect Sita from fire as he recognised her innocence and virtue. In a miraculous way she comes out of the fire unscathed, showing a divine glow that silences all doubts of people and proving her commitment to Lord Rama.
After completing their adventurous and tragic journey of overcoming multiple trials, Rama and Sita finally return to Ayodhya marking the end of their forest exile and many other trials and the beginning of a joyous new chapter for the kingdom of Ayodhya began. They were welcomed with overwhelming celebrations as the citizens who have been awaiting the return of their beloved prince for a very long time, the city was decorated with lights, flowers and vibrant decorations. The streets of Ayodhya came alive with festivity as people light oil lamps (diyas) to symbolize the light over darkness and good over evil. This grand welcome and the bright city is the origin of the modern day festival known as Diwali that is celebrated worldwide hindu believers.
