Ramayana Trail A Sacred Journey Through India

The Great Ramayana Road Expedition is a monumental 3,800 km spiritual journey through the heart of the Indian subcontinent. This curated road trip traces the footsteps of Lord Rama from his royal beginnings in Ayodhya through the arduous years of exile in the Dandakaranya forest, concluding at the edge of the Indian Ocean. Designed for devotees and heritage travelers, this itinerary offers a seamless geographical flow, allowing participants to touch the sacred soil of every major region mentioned in the Aranya and Kishkindha Kandas of the epic.

Phase 1: The Foundations of Faith (North India)

Day 1: Delhi to Ayodhya – The Royal Beginnings

• Distance: 636 km | Travel Time: ~10–11 hours
• Why Ayodhya: The sacred birthplace of Lord Rama and the starting point of the epic.
• Places to Visit:
  • Ram Janmabhoomi
  • Saryu River (Evening Aarti)
• Overnight Stay: Ayodhya

Day 2: Ayodhya – The Sacred Birthplace

• Local travel within Ayodhya
• Why Ayodhya: To explore the deep spiritual heritage and ancient markets of Rama's kingdom.
• Places to Visit:
  • Hanuman Garhi
  • Kanak Bhawan
  • Local Temple Markets
• Overnight Stay: Ayodhya

Day 3: Ayodhya to Prayagraj – The Holy Confluence

• Distance: 166 km | Travel Time: ~4 hours
• Why Prayagraj: The site of the Triveni Sangam where the trio sought blessings from Sage Bharadwaj.
• Places to Visit:
  • Triveni Sangam
  • Bharadwaj Ashram
• Overnight Stay: Prayagraj

Day 4: Prayagraj to Shringverpur via Nandigram

• Distance: 110 km | Travel Time: ~3 hours
• Why Shringverpur: Where Rama crossed the Ganges; Nandigram is where Bharat ruled as a hermit.
• Places to Visit:
  • Bharat Kund (Nandigram)
  • Shringverpur Ghat
• Overnight Stay: Shringverpur/Prayagraj

Day 5: Shringverpur to Chitrakoot – The Forest of Exile

• Distance: 120 km | Travel Time: ~3 hours
• Why Chitrakoot: The primary residence of Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana during their early exile.
• Places to Visit:
  • Ramghat
  • Kamadgiri
  • Bharat Milap Temple
• Overnight Stay: Chitrakoot

Phase 2: The Forest & The Abduction (Central India)

Day 6: Chitrakoot to Sitamarhi – The Divine Feminine

• Distance: 300 km | Travel Time: ~6–7 hours
• Why Sitamarhi: Revered as the birthplace of Goddess Sita.
• Places to Visit:
  • Janaki Temple
• Overnight Stay: Sitamarhi

Day 7: Sitamarhi to Nashik – The Great Transit

• Distance: 820 km | Travel Time: ~15–16 hours
• Why Nashik: A long-haul drive transitioning into the Dandakaranya region of Maharashtra.
• Overnight Stay: Nashik

Day 8: Nashik – The Shadows of Panchavati

• Local travel within Nashik
• Why Nashik: The site of the "Twin Miracles" and the eventual abduction of Sita.
• Places to Visit:
  • Sita Gufa (Caves)
  • Kalaram Temple
  • Panchavati
• Overnight Stay: Nashik

Phase 3: The Alliance & The Sacrifice (Deccan Plateau)

Day 9: Nashik to Hampi (Kishkindha) – The Monkey Kingdom

• Distance: 620 km | Travel Time: ~11–12 hours
• Why Hampi: Known as Kishkindha, the ancient capital of the Vanara kingdom.
• Overnight Stay: Hampi

Day 10: Hampi – The Kingdom of Sugreeva

• Local travel within Hampi
• Why Hampi: To walk the grounds where Rama met Hanuman and formed the ultimate alliance.
• Places to Visit:
  • Anjaneya Hill (Hanuman’s Birthplace)
  • Pampa Sarovar
  • Virupaksha Temple
• Overnight Stay: Hampi

Day 11: Hampi to Lepakshi – The Fallen Hero

• Distance: 325 km | Travel Time: ~6 hours
• Why Lepakshi: The site where the vulture-king Jatayu fell while attempting to rescue Sita.
• Places to Visit:
  • Lepakshi Temple
  • Monolithic Nandi Sculpture
• Overnight Stay: Lepakshi

Phase 4: The Path to Victory (The Deep South)

Day 12: Lepakshi to Bhadrachalam – The Godavari Shores

• Distance: 585 km | Travel Time: ~10–11 hours
• Why Bhadrachalam: A significant riverbank temple dedicated to the Lord's stay in the forest.
• Places to Visit:
  • Sri Sita Ramachandra Swamy Temple
  • Parnasala
• Overnight Stay: Bhadrachalam

Day 13: Bhadrachalam to Kanchipuram – The Temple City

• Distance: 600 km | Travel Time: ~10 hours
• Why Kanchipuram: A major spiritual halt in Tamil Nadu known for its ancient architecture.
• Places to Visit:
  • Kamakshi Amman Temple
  • Silk Heritage Centers
• Overnight Stay: Kanchipuram

Day 14: Kanchipuram to Rameshwaram – The Sacred Island

• Distance: 450 km | Travel Time: ~8 hours
• Why Rameshwaram: Where the Jyotirlinga was established before the war with Ravana.
• Places to Visit:
  • Ramanathaswamy Temple (22 Holy Wells)
  • Agni Teertham
• Overnight Stay: Rameshwaram

Day 15: Rameshwaram to Madurai via Dhanushkodi

• Distance: 170 km | Travel Time: ~4 hours
• Why Dhanushkodi & Madurai: To see the start of Ram Setu and the historic Meenakshi Temple.
• Places to Visit:
  • Arichal Munai (Dhanushkodi)
  • Meenakshi Temple (Madurai)
• Overnight Stay: Madurai (Departure)