The Homecoming of Ram


Finally the fourteen long years of exile were up and Ram, Sita and Laxman were ready to return to Ayodhya. Vibhishan, who had been crowned king of Lanka after Ravan's death, offered the wonderful chariot Pushpak to Ram so that they could fly home to Ayodhya. Ram gladly accepted his offer and climbed aboard along with Sita, Laxman and their monkey friends. They soon reached the outskirts of Ayodhya.
As he had done so many times in the past, Hanuman was the messenger that bore the glad tidings of Ram's return to Bharat. Bharat was ecstatic when he heard the news. He decided that the people of Ayodhya would give Ram and his friends a reception the likes of which the kingdom had never seen before. Once again the people of Ayodhya prepared for the coronation of Ram.
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Sita's Trial by Fire


Sita had been confined to the Ashoka grove for the entire time that the battle had been raging. She had lived through those days with her heart in her mouth, worrying about Ram and Laxman. After Ravan had been vanquished, Ram sent Hanuman to Sita to convey the good news. 
Sita's reunion with Ram was not at all as she expected. His demeanour was cold as he greeted her from a distance. Ram then told Sita that now that Ravan had been salin, she was free to choose her path in life. He told her that she could stay in Lanka with Vibhishan, or accompany Laxman or may be Sugriva. She could also go to Bharat if she so desired. Sita was bewildered by Ram's behaviour. She soon understood when Ram explained that he doubted Sita's fidelity after she had lived with Ravan for a year. 
Sita was deeply hurt that Ram should question her loyalty in front of a gathering of people.
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The Famous Battle between Ram and Ravan


Ravan decided that it was time that he took matters into his own hands. All his brave generals and warriors had been defeated and he had lost both his brother and his son. Ravan donned his armour and prepared to go into battle. Ravan's entrance on the battleground was a truly awe-inspiring sight. Clad in dazzling armour made of solid gold and encrusted with precious jewels, Ravan mounted his chariot drawn by four magnificent black horses.
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Kumbhakarna and Indrajit Enter the Fray


Kumbhakarna was Ravan's brother and had a truly formidable reputation as a warrior. The gods had cursed him so that he slept for a stretch of six months at a time. It was nearly impossible to wake him from his deep slumber. But Ravan realized that he needed to introduce Kumbhakarna onto the battleground to boost the morale of the demon army. Ravan had great faith in his brother's prowess as a warrior and was convinced that he would be able to slay Ram and rout the enemy.
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Ram Wages War on Lanka


When Hanuman returned home he was given a hero's welcome. Ram embraced him like a brother for he had breached the formidable walls of Lanka and found Sita. But Ram was dejected because he was at a loss for a plan to attack Lanka. How would they cross the sea? Sugreeva reassured him saying that he and all the monkey folk were at Ram's disposal.
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Hanuman in Lanka


The city of Lanka was perched upon a triple-peaked mountain, fortified by high walls and surrounded by a deep moat. Armed guards patrolled the city night and day and stopped any strangers that happened by. Hanuman, being a monkey, could enter the city unchallenged. 
Hanuman found Lanka to be an astonishingly beautiful city. There were lush gardens, tinkling fountains, impressive monuments with towers that reached towards the sky, crystal palaces with gem-encrusted doorways. Everywhere there was wealth and prosperity. 
Finally, Hanuman happened upon Sita in the Ashoka grove. There she sat, a forlorn figure, surrounded by demonesses. Hanuman managed to creep up to her unnoticed. He told Sita that he was a messenger from Ram and gave her the signet ring that Ram had entrusted to him.
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