आदौ रामतपोवनादिगमनं हत्वा मृगं कांचनं

वैदेहीहरणं जटायुमरणं सुग्रीव संभाषणम् ।

वालीनिर्दलनं समुद्रतरणं लंकापुरीदाहनं

पश्चाद्रावणकुंभकर्णहननमेतद्धि रामायणम् ।।

।। एकश्लोकि रामायणं सम्पूर्णम् ।।

Aadau Ram Tapowanadigamanan Hatwa Mrigam Kanchanan,

Waidehi Haranan Jatayu Maranan Sugriv Sambhashanam.

Wali Nirdalanan Samudra Taranan Lanka Puri Dahanan,

Aschadrawan Kumbh Karn Hanan Metaddhi Ramayanam

There are many religious and mythological stories and discoveries that link various pilgrimage sites of Nepal to the popular ‘Ramayana Circuit’ of India. These stories are the backdrop for the connections between the circuit and religious tourist destinations of Nepal: Janakpurdham, Dhanush Sagar, Ramsita Vivahmandap, Kagbeni (Kagbhusundi Dham), Valmiki Ashram and Ramadighat, amongst others.

In the Ramayana, Sri Ram conducted a journey with the guidance of saints, also known as Rishis. It is said that Rishi Bharadwaj told Sri Ram to go to Chitrakoot where four pupils were sent to guide Sri Ram on his journey. He travels to Rishi Atri's ashram, Viradh's region, Rishi Sharbhanga's ashram. Rishi Sutikshan's ashram. It is believed that as he travels for the next 10 years for the Dandanka travel, it is believed that he is accompanied by Dharmabrat and a number of other saints. On his return, he goes to Rishi Agastya. He then goes to Panchavati where he fights Khar. Even after Sita Maa’s abduction, Sri Ram was guided by Rishi Kallol and others. Rishi Augastya even went to Lanka with him.

As described in the puranas, Sri Ram had gone on pilgrimage several times. All the places where Sri Ram travelled with Sita after Panchvati are one part of his pilgrimage. Other places where he is accompanied by Hanuman and Surgreev. From Ayodhya to Panchavati, there are important places on pilgrimage route which is many believed Sri Ram had travelled to before and after exile.

Rivers also pay an important role in the exile route. Tamsa (Mandah), Vedshruti, Gomati, Spandika (Sai), Balukani, Ganga, Yamuna, Mandakini and Tungabhadra are mentioned in the Valmiki Ramayana. Valmiki's Ashram was on the banks of Ganga and Tamsa, while Bharadwajs was on the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna. Atri's was on the banks of Manadakini, while Sharbhanga's was also on the banks of the same river, Shabri and Matangas ashrams were on the banks of Tungabhadra and Lomash's was near Mahanadi. Sri Ram had met the sages so his route can be determined by the rivers. He travelled across the Yamuna beyond Prayag. Even to Lanka, his expedition takes him along River Kaveri.

Some places on the banks of Narmada which are connected to Sri Ram are:

From Amarkantak to Baraouch on the North Bank:

•  Ramghat near Amarkantak Temple

•  Ramghat - 6 km before Dhindori

•  Brahmaghat - (Skand Puran) district Narsinghpur, Tehsil Kareli on Jabalpur Road

•  Ramghat - Jamdagni Ashram, Onkareshwar Puvas Dhala Charu Ramghat

•  Ramnath Mahadev - Baroda Indravarna Rampur Mangtola

•  Ramkund - Ankleshwar

From Barouch to Amarkantak on the South Banks:

•  Shukla Teerth - 20 km from Baraouch

•  Sita van- 30 km from Onkareshwar Rampur

•  Ramghat- 4 km west near Brahmin Ghat

•  Ramghat- 30 km from Ramghat Pipria Jabalpur

•  Ramghat- Dhindori on both banks

Even today, people do the parikrama but do not cross the river.

Hanuman’s air route: Hanuman went to the Himalayas to bring sanjeevani for Lakshman. He killed Kalnemi on the west of Sultanpur. The place is still called Mahaviran. While returning, Bharat aimed his arrow at him near Ayodhya. Some parts of sanjeevani are said to have fallen at Rithad in Vashim district and Ramtek in Maharastra and Kapatgud in Karanataka. The air route does not indicate Sri Lanka.

290 spots have been discovered and documented by Research Scholars which have a link to Sri Ram. He is said to have spent 10 years and returned to Sutikshan Ashram after having a thorough knowledge of dharma.

Janakpuri Journey of Sri Ram with Rishi Vishvamitra

Sri Ram’s 14-year Exile Places