Green Message: The Evergreen Messages of Spirituality, Sanskrit and Nature
Forests - from Valmiki Ramayana
- Tataka Forest (Where Sri Rama killed demoness Tataka, stayed for one night and received divine weapons from sage Vishwamitra)
- Chitrakoota Forest (Where Sri Rama stayed during forest exile and met Bharata)
- Dandakaranya Forest (Where Sri Rama stayed during forest exile and visited the hermitages of many sages)
- Panchavati Forest (Where Sri Rama stayed during forest exile and from where Devi Sita was kidnapped)
Tataka Forest - from Valmiki Ramayana:
1. Valmiki Ramayana (Bala Kanda 24): Sri Rama visiting & hearing story: Sri Rama visited the Tataka forest after crossing the river at the Ganga-Sarayu confluence at Anga province. Sri Rama heard the story of demoness Tataka who was a yakshi and turned into a demoness by curse.2. Valmiki Ramayana (Bala Kanda 26): Sri Rama killing Tataka:
Sri Rama killed Tataka on the command of Vishwamitra.3. Valmiki Ramayana (Bala Kanda 26): Sri Rama staying: Sri Rama spent one night in the forest of Tataka and purified it.
4. Valmiki Ramayana (Bala Kanda 27): Sri Rama receiving divine weapons: Sri Rama received divine weapons from sage Vishwamitra here, who was very pleased due to the killing of the demoness.
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Chitrakoota Forest - from Valmiki Ramayana:
1. Valmiki Ramayana (Ayodhya Kanda 54 - 55): Sri Rama visiting Bharadwaja ashrama and hearing about Chitrakoota: Sri Rama visited the hermitage of sage Bharadwaja at Prayaga. When Sri Rama asked about a suitable place to stay in the forest, the sage told about Chitrakoota mountain ten yojanas from there on the other bank of river Yamuna.
Bharadwaja Ashrama - Allahabad:
Bharadwaja Ashrama is located in Allahabad in the Allahabad district of Uttar Pradesh. It is in the Colonelganj area near Anand Bhavan on Jawahar Lal Nehru Road, around 3.5 km from the Allahabad railway station. The ashrama has many images including Sri Rama, Lakshmana and Bharadwajeshwar Mahadev Shiva Linga.
2. Valmiki Ramayana (Ayodhya Kanda 55): Sri Rama crossing river Yamuna at Prayaga: Sri Rama crossed the river Yamuna on a raft at Prayaga to go to Chitrakoota by the route suggested by sage Bharadwaja. While crossing the river at Prayaga, Devi Sita offered prayers to river Yamuna.
3. Valmiki Ramayana (Ayodhya Kanda 55): Sri Rama coming to a Nyagrodha tree called Shyama: After crossing the river Yamuna, Sri Rama came to a Nyagrodha tree called Shyama (which was indicated by Bharadwaja). Devi Sita circumambulated the tree and offered prayers.
4. Valmiki Ramayana (Ayodhya Kanda 55): Sri Rama spending a night on the bank of river Yamuna: Sri Rama spent a night on the bank of river Yamuna.
5. Valmiki Ramayana (Ayodhya Kanda 56): Sri Rama visiting Valmiki ashrama: Next morning Sri Rama visited the hermitage of sage Valmiki at Chitrakoota.
Valmiki Ashrama - Chitrakoot:
Valmiki Ashrama is located in Chitrakoot spread across Uttar Pradesh (Chitrakoot district) and Madhya Pradesh (Satna district) border. It is on Allahabad Road on a hill in Lalapur village. The place is around 24 km from Ram Ghat and situated on the bank of river Valmiki. It is said that Devi Sita gave birth to Luv and Kush here.
6. Valmiki Ramayana (Ayodhya Kanda 56): Sri Rama settling at Chitrakoota: Sri Rama built a parna shala (leaf-hut) on the mountain-forest of Chitrakoota and settled there. The river Malyavati was flowing there frequented by birds and beasts.
Ram Ghat - Chitrakoot:
Ram Ghat is the main bathing ghat of Chitrakoot on the bank of river Mandakini where Sri Rama is believed to have bathed.
Kamadgiri Hill - Chitrakoot:
Kamadgiri Hill in Chitrakoot is the place where Sri Rama, Lakshmana and Devi Sita is believed to have stayed during forest exile. It has the famous temple of Lord Kamtanath.
Lakshman Pahari - Chitrakoot:
Lakshman Pahari is the place where Lakshmana is said to have stood guard to protect Rama and Sita.
Sita Rasoi - Chitrakoot:
Sita Rasoi is the place where Devi Sita is believed to have cooked food.
Janki Kund - Chitrakoot:
Janki Kund on the bank of river Payaswini is believed to be the bathing place of Devi Sita.
7. Valmiki Ramayana (Ayodhya Kanda 94): Sri Rama describing Chitrakoota to Devi Sita: While staying in Chitrakoota, Sri Rama one day described the beauty of Chitrakoota mountain to Devi Sita.
8. Valmiki Ramayana (Ayodhya Kanda 95): Sri Rama describing river Mandakini to Devi Sita: While staying in Chitrakoota, Sri Rama one day described the beauty of river Mandakini to Devi Sita.
Sphatik Shila - Chitrakoot:
Sphatik Shila are two huge reddish rocks in Chitrakoot hills which is believed to be the place from where Sri Rama and Devi Sita used to enjoy the beauty of Chitrakoot.
9. Valmiki Ramayana (Ayodhya Kanda 113): Sri Rama giving paduka to Bharata at Chitrakoota: When Bharata came to Chitrakoota to take Sri Rama to Ayodhya, Rama have His paduka to Bharata.
Bharat Milap Temple - Chitrakoot:
Bharat Milap temple is said to be the place where Bharata met Sri Rama and persuaded him to return to Ayodhya. Bharat Koop is a well where Bharata is believed to have poured waters of all the Tirthas which he has brought for Rama's coronation. It is around 20 km from Chitrakoot near Bharatpur village.
Raghava Prayag Ghat - Chitrakoot:
Raghav Prayag Ghat near Ram Ghat on the bank of river Payaswini is believed to be the place where Sri Rama performed Pitri Tarpana during forest exile. It is also said to be the invisible confluence of rivers Mandakini, Payaswini and Gayatri or Savitri.
10. Valmiki Ramayana (Ayodhya Kanda 116): Sri Rama visiting Atri ashrama while leaving Chitrakoota: After Bharata left, Sri Rama decided to leave Chitrakoota. While leaving Chitrakoota, Sri Rama visited the hermitage of sage Atri and sati Anusuiya.
Atri-Anusuiya Ashrama - Chitrakoot:
Atri and Anusuiya Ashrama is located in Chitrakoot spread across Uttar Pradesh (Chitrakoot district) and Madhya Pradesh (Satna district) border. It is around 12 km from Ram Ghat and situated in a forested area. It is believed that in this place Sati Anusuiya turned Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva into children. It is also said that river Mandakini originated from Chitrakoot due to the penance of Sati Anusuiya.
Other places in Chitrakoot:
Hanuman Dhara - Chitrakoot:
Hanuman Dhara is a cascade of waters falling from a natural spring over a natural rock image of Hanuman inside a cave.
Gupta Godavari - Chitrakoot:
Gupta Godavari is a cave from where river Godavari emerges as a stream and then flowing down inside another cave disappears in the mountain.
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Dandakaranya Forest - from Valmiki Ramayana:
Valmiki Ramayana (Aranya Kanda 1): Sri Rama seeing many hermitages of sages in Dandakaranya forest: Sri Rama entered the Dandakaranya forest and saw hermitages of sages who were engaged in penance. The atmosphere was rendered holy by their penance. Sri Rama spent a night there.Valmiki Ramayana (Aranya Kanda 2 - 5): Sri Rama encountering demon Viradha in Dandakaranya forest: Sri Rama encountered demon Viradha in Dandakaranya forest, kills him, and releases him from a curse of Kubera.
Valmiki Ramayana (Aranya Kanda 5): Sri Rama visiting the hermitage of Sharabhanga ashrama: Sri Rama visited the hermitage of sage Sharabhanga. Indra deva came there to take the sage to the abode of Brahma as a fruit of his penance. Sage Sharabhanga directed Sri Rama to the hermitage of sage Suteekshna following the trail of river Mandakini. Thereafter sage Sharabhanga gave up his body in sacred fire and ascended to higher loka.
Sharabhanga Ashrama - Chitrakoot:
Sharabhanga Ashrama is situated around 20 km away from Sati Anusuiya Ashrama on the Madhya Pradesh side of Chitrakoot (Satna district). There is a Ganga Kund and Shiva temple in the ashrama.
Valmiki Ramayana (Aranya Kanda 7 - 8): Sri Rama visiting the hermitage of sage Suteekshna: Sri Rama visited the hermitage of sage Suteekshna. Sri Rama spent a night in that hermitage.
Suteekshna Ashrama - Chitrakoot:
Suteekshna Ashrama is situated around 4 km away from Sharabhanga ashrama, which is around 20 km from Birsinghpur in Satna district of Madhya Pradesh. This is on the Madhya Pradesh side of Chitrakoot (Satna district).
Valmiki Ramayana (Aranya Kanda 11): Sri Rama visiting Pancha Apsara lake: Sri Rama visited the Pancha Apsara lake. From that lake was emanating melodies of songs and music. Sri Rama heard from sage Dharmavrita the story of sage Mandakarni marrying five Apsaras and living within that lake.
Valmiki Ramayana (Aranya Kanda 11): Sri Rama visiting various hermitages in Dandakaranya for ten years: Sri Rama stayed in various hermitages of sages in Dandakaranya and ten years gradually elapsed.
Valmiki Ramayana (Aranya Kanda 11): Sri Rama revisiting the hermitage of sage Suteekshna: Sri Rama revisited the hermitage of sage Suteekshna. After staying there for sometime, Sri Rama asked about the hermitage of sage Agastya. Sage Suteekshna told about the hermitage of the brother of sage Agastya four yojanas from there on a plateau with many lakes. From there the hermitage of sage Agastya was one yojana away.
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Panchavati Forest - from Valmiki Ramayana:
Valmiki Ramayana (Aranya Kanda 12 - 13): Sri Rama visiting the hermitage of sage Agastya and hearing about Panchavati: Sri Rama visited the hermitage of sage Agastya. Sage Agastya conferred various divine weapons to Sri Rama. When Sri Rama asked about a suitable place to stay, Agastya told about Panchavati forest two yojanas from there on the bank of river Godavari.
Agastya Ashrama - Bhandardara:
Agastya Ashrama is situated in Bhandardara, a beautiful hill-station on the Sahyadri Hills in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. It is around 185 km from Mumbai and 80 km from Nashik.
Valmiki Ramayana (Aranya Kanda 14): Sri Rama meeting Jatayu while going towards Panchavati: While Sri Rama was going to Panchavati from Agastya ashrama, He met Jatayu. Jatayu offered to go to Panchavati with them to protect Devi Sita if needed. Sri Rama, Lakshmana, Sita and Jatayu proceeded towards Panchavati.
Valmiki Ramayana (Aranya Kanda 15): Sri Rama settling at Panchavati: Sri Rama selected a place in Panchavati forest where Lakshmana built a parna shala, a beautiful cottage made of bamboos, straws and leaves. Sri Rama settled happily at Panchavati.
Panchavati - Nashik:
Panchavati is on the northern part of Nashik district of Maharashtra on the bank of river Godavari. The area of Panchavati has Five Banyan Trees and hence the name Panchavati.
Ramkund - Nashik Panchavati:
Ramkund is the holy bathing ghat of Panchavati on river Godavari. It is believed that Sri Rama bathed here during forest exile. It is also the place for performing rituals and devotional contemplation.
Sita Gumpha - Nashik Panchavati:
Sita Gumpha is the cave which is believed to be the place where Devi Sita lived and worshipped a Shiva Linga. It is also said that Devi Sita was abducted by Ravana from this place.
Kalaram Mandir - Nashik Panchavati:
Kalaram Mandir is the famous Ram temple of Panchavati near the Sita Gumpha.
Valmiki Ramayana (Aranya Kanda 16): Sri Rama hearing Lakshmana describing Hemanata Ritu at Panchavati: While Sri Rama was staying at Panchavati, the beautiful Hemanta Ritu (Pre-Winter season) arrived. One day Lakshmana described the beauty of Hemanta Ritu to Sri Rama.
Valmiki Ramayana (Aranya Kanda 17 - 18): Sri Rama encountering Surpanakha at Panchavati: While Sri Rama was staying at Panchavati, demoness Surpanakha approached Rama and Lakshmana with the feeling of lust. When Surpanakha tried to harm Devi Sita, Rama asked Lakshmana to deface her.
Tapovan - Nashik Panchavati:
Tapovan is the area in Panchavati at the confluence of rivers Godavari and Kapila. It is said that in ancient times the sages meditated in this place. It is also the place where Lakshmana is said to have cut off the nose of demoness Shurpanakha.
Valmiki Ramayana (Aranya Kanda 20 - 30): Sri Rama encountering demons Khara and Dushana: When Sri Rama punished Surpanakha, she reported this to her brother Khara, who initially sent various demons to kill Sri Rama. Sri Rama eliminated all of them. Then demons Khara and Dushana came with a huge army. Sri Rama single-handedly fought with all of them and finally killed demons Khara and Dushana.
Valmiki Ramayana (Aranya Kanda 45 - 60): Ravana kidnapping Devi Sita from Panchavati: While Sri Rama was staying at Panchavati, one day, Devi Sita saw a beautiful golden deer. Devi Sita became enamoured by its beauty and asked Sri Rama to bring it alive or dead. Sri Rama ran after the golden deer who was demon Mareecha in disguise. The deer eluded Sri Rama for a long time. Finally Sri Rama killed demon Mareecha in the form of the deer. In the meantime Ravana came to the cottage of Rama at Panchavati in the guise of a beggar and kidnapped Devi Sita by a trick.
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Bharatavarsha - The Land of Gods and Sages:
1. Stotras2. Scriptures
3. Pilgrimages
4. Festivals
5. Saints: Ramakrishna - Vivekananda - Ramana
6. Sadhana
7. Sanskrit
8. Nature