Ramayana Trails: An Introduction

Ramayana Trails: An Introduction

Ramayana is the Itihas of India and Contemporary world of the time when Ayodhya and Lanka were the centers of the Socio-Political scenario. It was the time when Ravana, A Rakshas King had won most parts of the world excluding a few like Mahishmati and Kishkindha. The Itihas revolve around three Royal families. Rakshas family of Ravana, Vanar family of Sugreev, and his Clan and Ikshvaku Clan of Ayodhya. 

The Prince of Ayodhya, Shri Ram who is considered the incarnation of Shri Hari Vishnu had traveled all the way down from Ayodhya to Nashik to free the Land from Rakshas as he had pledged to the Sages in Dandak forests. Ramayana Trails revolves around his journey.

The Itihas have been composed by Sage Valmiki who was residing near Chitrakoot in South of Prayag. The Itihasa Ramayana is written in Kavya or Poetry format. It has 24,000 verses, 500 chapters, and 7 Kands or Chapters. 

There have been few interpolations in the text as it is way too much old to be preserved in its original form. But what is sure that Ramayana is our Itihas. Our Glorious History of ancient India when There was Sanatana Culture all across the world. 

What is exactly “Ramayana Trails”? 

Ramayana Trails is an attempt to join more and more people especially youth and new generation on board to know Ramayana and Lord Ram. more they can connect with That period and those people, they will be more connected to their roots. As we say, The tree with weak roots can never prosper. 

Talking from travel point of view which concerns our project, There are many travel routes discussed in Valmiki Ramayana: 

• Travel Route of Ram, Laxman, and Sage Vishwamitra. The Route includes mainly Ayodhya, Buxar(Siddhashram), Vishal (Vaishali), Darbhanga(Sage Gautam Ashram), and Janakpur. 
• Route of Ram, Laxman, and Sita from Ayodhya to Tamsa River to Prayag to Chitrakoot. 
• Route taken by Ram from Chitrakoot to Dandak forests towards Atri Ashram to Sharbhang Ashram to Suteekshn Ashram to Agastya Ashram to Nashik to Kishkindha. 
• Route taken by Angad to look for Sita from Rishyamook towards Southern tip near Sampati. 
• Route taken by Messenger from Ayodhya to Kaikeya. 
• Route taken by Bharat from Kaikeya to Ayodhya. 
• The Route of Ganga from Gangotri to the Bay of Bengal. 
• The Route Which Vanar Army took to look for Sita in 3 directions Viz North, East, and West. 
• The Trail followed by Ravana during his expedition to conquer the world. 

There is research going on to recognise these routes and map them as precise as possible. There is Corroborating evidence which suggests that the Whole Globe was associated with the History of Ram in that period. 

For example, The excavations in American Continent have revealed Archeological evidence that Vanar and Naag have been part of their culture. Which points out that it might be ancient Patal Lok or Rasatal. 

Why Ramayana Trails? 

1. Ramayana has never been in the mainstream discussion like it is now. 
2. Research is going on about several aspects of Ramayana Viz. Geographical details, Historicity, Dating.
3. Many Indologists have been trying to date Ramayana. I personally like and admire the work of Nilesh Neelkanth Oak Sir, Who has concluded dates of Mahabharata and Ramayana to be 5561 BCE and 12209 BCE respectively. He has come to this conclusion after years of research and has published many books around his research. 
4. Though It is always a good time to start a project like this, Right now is the most appropriate time for the project. Ramayana is in the discussion, there is a favorable surge in Indian public. 
5. Recently Ramayana show made by Ramanand Sagar Ji broke all records of TRP. This shows that we have a huge audience base waiting for the project. Refer: This OpIndia Article on Traffic of Ramayana Telecast on DD National 

There are many travel routes and packages which are Based on Hindu pilgrimage. But Ramayana and Mahabharata based trails have never been promoted. Though there is a project of Sri Lankan Govt named “Ramayana Trail” but no such thing in India. 

So this sector has not been explored by either the tourism industry or the entertainment industry. It is high time we work on the project and take it forward. 

Also Read: Two Instances In Ramayana Which teach that Karma is Supreme

What We want to do about Ramayana Trails: 

First of all we need to map out all above mentioned Trails individually. The initial focus will be on the Trails which Shri Ram had walked upon. 

The main objective of The Indian Rover is: 

• To Promote All the Trails. 
• Write on these trails with all primary sources and evidence. 
• Organise events and treks on these Trails to promote them. 
• To Seek Collaboration with investors and work on promoting these Trails extensively with the help of: 

1. This Website
2. YouTube Travel Vlogs
3. Mini Reality Shows
4. Android and PC Games.

This All needs Research and Resources. We need your support to walk on this path. Let’s join hands and Work for Ramayana Trails together. 

We will keep updating you with articles and Social Media posts. Keep yourself connected. Thanks.

Featured Image Credit: Humor Nation