Sita: Difference between revisions

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 20132024}}

| gender = Female

| affiliation = [[Avatar]] of [[Lakshmi]], [[Devi]], [[Vaishnavism]]

| avatar_birth = [[Mithila (ancient city)|Mithila]], [[Videha]] (either present-day [[Sitamarhi district]], [[Bihar]], India<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/bihar/rs-48-5-crore-for-sita-s-birthplace/cid/1440819|title=Rs 48.5 crore for Sita's birthplace|website=www.telegraphindia.comThe Telegraph|location=India}}</ref><ref name="telegraphindia.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/bihar/hot-spring-hot-spot-fair-begins-on-magh-full-moon-s-day/cid/1544104|title=Hot spring hot spot -– Fair begins on Magh full moon's day|website=www.telegraphindia.comThe Telegraph|location=India|access-date=22 December 2018}}</ref><ref name="Sitamarhi">{{cite encyclopedia | url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/546790/Sitamarhi | title=Sitamarhi | encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica | access-date=30 January 2015}}</ref><ref name="History of Sitamarhi">{{cite web | url=http://sitamarhi.bih.nic.in/profile/index.htm | title=History of Sitamarhi | publisher=Official site of Sitamarhi district | access-date=30 January 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220171523/http://sitamarhi.bih.nic.in/profile/index.htm | archive-date=20 December 2014 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}</ref> or present-day [[Janakpur]], [[Madhesh Province]], Nepal<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sacredsites.com/asia/nepal/janakpur.html|title = Janakpur|website=sacredsites.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-india-pms-likely-to-jointly-inaugurate-cross-border-railway-465246|title = Nepal, India PMs likely to jointly inaugurate cross-border railway link| date=24 March 2022 |publisher=WION India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/india/india-nepal-rail-link-janakpur-to-be-major-tourist-attraction/899887/|title = India-Nepal rail link: Janakpur to be major tourist attraction| date=2 April 2022 |publisher=The Print}}</ref>)

| god_of = Mother Goddess,<ref>{{cite book|title=Hindu Goddesses Visions of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Tradition|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=HzldwMHeS6IC&dq=sita+mother+goddess&pg=PA256|author= David R. Kinsley| date=19 July 1988 |page= 78| publisher=University of California Press | isbn=9780520908833 |quote=Tulsidas refers Sita as World's Mother And Ram as Father}}</ref><br>Goddess of Beauty, Devotion and PloughshareDevotion<ref>{{cite book|title= Pure Gems of Ramayanam|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=CJe9BAAAQBAJ&dq=sita+goddess+of+purity+mother+goddess&pg=PA213|author= Krishnan Aravamudan| date=22 September 2014 |page= 213| publisher=PartridgeIndia | isbn=9781482837209 |quote=Sage Narada Refers to Sita As Mystic Goddess Ofof Beauty}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title= Awakening Shakti|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=7O4mCgAAQBAJ&q=awakening+shakti|author= Sally Kempton| date=13 July 2015 | publisher=Jaico Publishing House | isbn=9788184956191 |quote=Sita Goddess of Devotion}}</ref>{{sfn|Guruge|1991|page=IX}}<br/>Supreme Goddess in [[Ramanandi Sampradaya|Ramanandi]]<ref>{{cite book |last1=Tattwananda |first1=Swami |title= Vaisnava Sects, Saiva Sects, Mother Worship |edition=1st revised |year=1984 |publisher= Firma KLM Private Ltd. |location=Calcutta |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.128453}}</ref>

'''Sita''' ({{Lang-sa|सीता}}; {{IAST3|Sītā}}), also known as '''Siya''', '''Janaki''' and '''Maithili''', is a [[Hindu goddess]] and the female protagonist of the Hindu epic ''[[Ramayana]]''. Sita is the consort of [[Rama]], the [[avatar]] of god [[Vishnu]], and is regarded as an avatar of goddess [[Lakshmi]].<ref name="Moor 1810 316">{{Cite book |last=Moor |first=Edward |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5kJDAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA316 |title=The Hindu Pantheon |date=1810 |publisher=J. Johnson |pages=316 |language=en}}</ref> She is the chief goddess of the [[Ramanandi Sampradaya|Rama-centric]] Hindu traditions and is the goddess of beauty and devotion. Sita is widely known for her devotion, self-sacrifice, courage, and purity.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/etimes/trending/5-sita-temples-in-india-you-didnt-know-about/photostory/107204466.cms|title=Sita: The goddess temples are lesser known but just as precious|website=The Times of India|accessdate=29 January 2024|quote=Sita is a symbol of purity, devotion, courage, and sacrifice. She is also associated with fertility, agriculture, and nature.}}</ref> Sita's birthday is celebrated every year on the occasion of [[Sita Navami]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Publishing |first=Bloomsbury |url=https://books.google.co.incom/books?id=Pk7eEAAAQBAJ&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&pg=PA457&dq=&hl=en&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false |title=Religious Celebrations: An Encyclopedia of Holidays, Festivals, Solemn Observances, and Spiritual Commemorations [2 volumes] |date=2011-09-13 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing USA |isbn=978-1-59884-206-7 |pages=457 |language=en}}</ref>

Described as the daughter of [[Bhūmi]] (the earth), Sita is brought up as the adopted daughter of King [[Janaka]] of [[Videha]].<ref name="Sutherland AOS">{{cite web|last=Sutherland|first=Sally J.|title=Sita and Draupadi, Aggressive Behavior and Female Role-Models in the Sanskrit Epics|url=http://sseas.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/faculty/files/sita_and_draupadi.pdf|publisher=University of California, Berkeley|access-date=1 August 2012|archive-date=13 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513083122/http://sseas.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/faculty/files/sita_and_draupadi.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Parmeshwaranand">{{cite book|author=Swami Parmeshwaranand|title=Encyclopaedic Dictionaries of Puranas|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FdIkaccgneAC&pg=PA1210|access-date=31 July 2012|publisher=Sarup & Sons|isbn=978-81-7625-226-3|pages=1210–1220|date=2001-01-01}}</ref> Sita, in her youth, chooses Rama, the prince of [[Ayodhya]] as her husband in a [[swayamvara]]. After the [[Sita Swayamvara|swayamvara]], she accompanies her husband to his kingdom, but later chooses to accompany her husband, along with her brother-in-law [[Lakshmana]], in his exile. While in exile, the trio settles in the [[Dandaka]] forest from where she is abducted by [[Ravana]], the [[Rakshasa]] king of [[Lanka]]. She is imprisoned in the garden of [[Ashoka Vatika]], in Lanka, until she is rescued by Rama, who slays her captor. After the war, in some versions of the epic, Rama asks Sita to undergo Agni Pariksha (an [[Agnipravesham|ordeal of fire]]), by which she proves her chastity, before she is accepted by Rama, which for the first time makes his brother Lakshmana angry at him.

In some versions of the epic, [[Maya Sita]], an illusion created by [[Agni]], takes Sita's place and is abducted by Ravana and suffers his captivity, while the real Sita hides in the fire. Some scriptures also mention her previous birth being [[Vedavati]], a woman Ravana tries to molest.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2014-04-10|title=The haughty Ravana|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/religion/the-haughty-ravana/article5897460.ece|access-date=2020-07-02|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> After proving her purity, Rama and Sita return to Ayodhya, where they are crowned as king and queen. One day, a man questions Sita's fidelity and in order to prove her innocence and maintain his own and the kingdom's dignity, Rama sends Sita into the forest near the sage [[Valmiki]]'s ashram. Years later, Sita returns to the womb of her mother, the Earth, for release from a cruel world and as a testimony of her purity, after she reunites her two sons [[Kusha (Ramayana)|Kusha]] and [[Lava (Ramayana)|Lava]] with their father Rama.<ref>{{cite book|title=India through the ages|url=https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada|last=Gopal|first=Madan|year= 1990| page= [https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada/page/78 78]|editor=K.S. Gautam|publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Yadav |first=Ramprasad |title=Historical and Cultural Analysis of Ramayana: An Overview |journal=International Journal of Historical Studies |publication-date=2016 |volume=8 |issue=4 |pages=189–204}}</ref>

The birthplace of Sita is disputed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.biharlokmanch.org/indian_festivals_culture_aid_24.html|title=Bihar times|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019153403/http://www.biharlokmanch.org/indian_festivals_culture_aid_24.html|archive-date=19 October 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The [[Sita Kund]]<ref name="telegraphindia.com"/> pilgrimage site which is located in present-day [[Sitamarhi district]],<ref name="Sitamarhi"/><ref name="History of Sitamarhi"/> Bihar, India, is viewed as the birthplace of Sita. Apart from Sitamarhi, [[Janakpur]], which is located in the present-day [[Province No. 2]], [[Nepal]],<ref name="The Times of India">{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/modis-visit-to-sitas-birthplace-in-nepal-cancelled/articleshow/45220742.cms|title=Modi's visit to Sita's birthplace in Nepal cancelled &#124; India News|website=The Times of India|date=20 November 2014 }}</ref><ref name="sacredsites.com">{{Cite web|url=https://sacredsites.com/asia/nepal/janakpur.html|title=Janakpur|website=Sacred Sites: World Pilgrimage Guide|accessdate=8 June 2023}}</ref> is also described as Sita's birthplace.

* ''Janaka's biological daughter'': In ''Ramopkhyana'' of the [[Mahabharata]] and also in ''Paumachariya'' of Vimala Suri, Sita has been depicted as Janaka's biological daughter. According to Rev. Fr. [[Camille Bulcke]], this motif that Sita was the biological daughter of Janaka, as described in ''Ramopkhyana Mahabharata'' was based on the authentic version of ''Valmiki Ramayana.'' Later, the story of Sita miraculously appearing in a furrow was inserted in ''Valmiki Ramayana''.<ref name="Singaravelu 235" />

Sita has a younger sister [[Urmila]], born to Janaka and Sunayna, whom she was the closest among her three sisters.<ref>{{cite web|author-link=Kavita Kane|title=Sita's Sisters: Conversations Onon Sisterhood Between Women Ofof Ramayana |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/amp/story/national/sita-sisters-conversations-on-sisterhood-between-women-of-ramayana-magazine-325515|workmagazine=Outlook|date=23 October 2023 |location=New IndiaDelhi |accessdate=26 October 2023}}</ref> Her father's younger brother, [[Kushadhvaja]] daughters [[Mandavi]] and [[Shrutakirti]] grew up with them in Mithila.<ref>{{cite book |author=Mishra, V. |year=1979 |publisher=Mithila Prakasana |location=Allahabad |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8FBuAAAAMAAJ&q=area+of+mithila |title=Cultural Heritage of Mithila | access-date=28 December 2016 | pages=13}}</ref>

When Sita reached adulthood, [[Janaka]] conducted a [[Swayamvara|svayamvara]] ceremony at his capital with the condition that she would marry only a prince who would possess the strength to string the ''[[Pinaka (Hinduism)|Pinaka]]'', the bow of the deity [[Shiva]]. Many princes attempted and failed to string the bow.<ref>{{cite book|author=Praśānta Guptā|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RazqpUWg3KYC&pg=PA32|title=Vālmīkī Rāmāyaṇa|publisher=Dreamland Publications|year=1998|isbn=9788173012549|pages=32}}</ref> During this time, [[Vishvamitra]] had brought Rama and his brother Lakshmana to the forest for the protection of a ''[[yajna]]'' (ritual sacrifice). Hearing about the ''svayamvara'', Vishvamitra asked Rama to participate in the ceremony with the consent of Janaka, who agreed to offer Sita's hand in marriage to the prince if he could fulfil the requisite task. When the bow was brought before him, Rama seized the centre of the weapon, fastened the string taut, and broke it in two in the process. Witnessing his prowess, Janaka agreed to marry his daughter to Rama and invited Dasharatha to his capital.<ref>{{cite book |last=Bhalla |first=Prem P. |title=The Story Ofof Sri Ram |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xiv9_Cp3OtQC&pg=PA24 |date=1 January 2009 |publisher=Peacock Books |isbn=978-81-248-0191-8 }}</ref>

King [[Dasharatha]] arrived in Mithila for his son's wedding and noticed that [[Lakshmana]] had feelings for Urmila , but according to tradition, [[Bharata (Ramayana)|Bharata]] and Mandavi were to marry first. He then arranged for Bharata to marry Mandavi and [[Shatrughna]] to marry Shrutakirti, allowing Lakshmana to marry Urmila. Ultimately, all four sisters married the four brothers, strengthening the alliance between the two kingdoms.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Debroy|first=Bibek|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6oQlAQAAIAAJ&q=Sita+|title=The History of Puranas|date=2005|publisher=Bharatiya Kala Prakashan|isbn=978-81-8090-062-4|language=en}}</ref> A wedding ceremony was conducted under the guidance of Shatananda. During the homeward journey to Ayodhya, another avatar of Vishnu, [[Parashurama]], challenged Rama to combat, on the condition that he was able to string the bow of Vishnu, [[Sharanga]]. When Rama obliged him with success, Parashurama acknowledged the former to be a form of Vishnu and departed to perform penance at the mountain Mahendra. The wedding entourage then reached Ayodhya, entering the city amid great fanfare.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Valmiki |url=http://archive.org/details/TheRamayan |title=The Ramayana |date= |pages=126–145}}</ref><ref name="Parmeshwaranand" />

[[File:Ravana visits Sita as an ascetic.jpg|thumb|[[Ravana]] visits Sita as an [[Asceticism|ascetic]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harvard |title=Ravana's Abduction of Sita, folio from a Ramayana Series {{!}}|publisher= Harvard Art Museums |url=https://harvardartmuseums.org/collections/object/216121 |access-date=2024-04-22 |website=harvardartmuseums.org |language=en}}</ref>]]

Some time after the wedding, [[Kaikeyi]], Rama's stepmother, compelled Dasharatha to make Bharata king, prompted by the coaxing of her maid [[Manthara]], and forced Rama to leave Ayodhya and spend a period of exile in the forests of [[Dandaka]] and later Panchavati. Sita and Lakshmana willingly renounced the comforts of the palace and joined Rama in exile.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ramanujan |first=A. K. |author-link=A. K. Ramanujan |url=https://www.amazon.in/Teen-Sau-Ramayan-K-Ramanujan/dp/9350721724 |title=Teen Sau Ramayan |publisher=Vani Prakashan |isbn=978-9350721728 |publication-date=1 March 2023 |page=80 |language=en |trans-title=Three Hundred Ramayanas}}</ref> The Panchavati forest became the scene for Sita's abduction by Ravana, King of Lanka. The scene started with [[Shurpanakha]]'s love for Rama. However Rama refused her, stating that he was devoted to Sita. This enraged the demoness and she tried to kill Sita. Lakshmana cut Shurpanakha's nose and sent her back. Ravana, to kidnap Sita, made a plan. [[Maricha]], his uncle, disguised himself as a magnificent deer to lure Sita.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-08-16 |title=The golden deer |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/religion/the-golden-deer/article3780783.ece |access-date=2024-04-22 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Sita, attracted to its golden glow asked her husband to make it her pet. When Rama and Lakshmana went far away from the hut, Ravana kidnapped Sita, disguising himself as a mendicant. Some versions of the ''Ramayana'' describe Sita taking refuge with the fire-god [[Agni]], while [[Maya Sita]], her illusionary double, is kidnapped by the demon-king. [[Jatayu (Ramayana)|Jatayu]], the vulture-king, tried to protect Sita but Ravana chopped off his wings. Jatayu survived long enough to inform Rama of what had happened.<ref name="Mani720">Mani pp. 720-3720–3; {{cite book | last = Mani | first = Vettam | title = Puranic Encyclopaedia: a Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature | url = https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft | publisher = Motilal Banarsidass Publishers | year = 1975 <!-- | location = Delhi --> | isbn = 978-0-8426-0822-0 | author-link = Vettam Mani }}</ref>

Ravana took Sita back to his kingdom in Lanka and she was held as a prisoner in one of his palaces. During her captivity for a year in Lanka, Ravana expressed his desire for her; however, Sita refused his advances.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Pargiter |first=F. E. |year=2011 |title=The Geography of Ráma's Exile |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/315268069_Art_VIII-The_Geography_of_Rama%27s_Exile315268069 |journal=Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society |volume=2 |issue=26 |pages=231–264}}</ref> [[Hanuman]] was sent by Rama to seek Sita and eventually succeeded in discovering Sita's whereabouts. Sita gave Hanuman her jewellery and asked him to give it to her husband. Hanuman returned across the sea to Rama.<ref>{{citation | year=1996 | title = The Ramayana of Valmiki: An Epic of Ancient India : Sundarkand | editor1=Robert P. Goldman | editor2=Sally Sutherland Goldman | publisher=Princeton University Press | isbn=978-0-691-06662-2 | pages=80–82 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sFmsrEszbxgC&q=parayana&pg=PA80}}</ref>

In the [[Uttara Kanda]], following their return to Ayodhya, Rama was crowned as the king with Sita by his side.<ref>{{cite book|author=Ramashraya Sharma|title=A Socio-political Study of the Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9Vo0OJtO6DQC&pg=PA2 |year=1986|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-0078-6|pages=2–3}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Gregory Claeys|title=The Cambridge Companion to Utopian Literature|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sFCuoqykV9QC&pg=PA240 |year=2010|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-1-139-82842-0|pages=240–241}}</ref> While Rama's trust and affection for Sita never wavered, it soon became evident that some people in Ayodhya could not accept Sita's long captivity under Ravana. During Rama's period of rule, an intemperate [[Dhobi|washerman]], while berating his wayward wife, declared that he was "no pusillanimous Rama who would take his wife back after she had lived in the house of another man". The common folk started gossiping about Sita and questioned Ram's decision to make her queen. Rama was extremely distraught on hearing the news, but finally told Lakshmana that as a king, he had to make his citizens pleased and the purity of the queen of Ayodhya has to be above any gossip and rumour. With a heavy heart, he instructed him to take Sita to a forest outside Ayodhya and leave her there.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Cakrabartī |first=Bishṇupada |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FCAqAAAAYAAJ&q=interpolation+uttara+kanda |title=The Penguin Companion to the Ramayana |date=2006 |publisher=Penguin Books |isbn=978-0-14-310046-1 |language=en |access-date=12 July 2022 |archive-date=18 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118062022/https://books.google.com/books?id=FCAqAAAAYAAJ&q=interpolation+uttara+kanda |url-status=live }}</ref>

Thus Sita was forced into exile a second time. Sita, who was pregnant, was given refuge in the hermitage of [[Valmiki]], where she delivered twin sons named [[Kusha (Ramayana)|Kusha]] and [[Lava (Ramayana)|Lava]].<ref name="Parmeshwaranand" /> In the hermitage, Sita raised her sons alone, as a single mother.<ref name="Contemporary Influence of Sita by">{{cite web|last=Bhargava|first=Anju P.|title=Contemporary Influence of Sita by|url=http://www.infinityfoundation.com/ECITsitaframeset.htm|publisher=The Infinity Foundation|access-date=31 July 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120713001426/http://www.infinityfoundation.com/ECITsitaframeset.htm|archive-date=13 July 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> They grew up to be valiant and intelligent and were eventually united with their father. Once she had witnessed the acceptance of her children by Rama, Sita sought final refuge in the arms of her mother [[Bhūmi]]. Hearing her plea for release from an unjust world and from a life that had rarely been happy, the Earth dramatically split open; Bhūmi appeared and took Sita away.

According to the [[Padma Purana|Padma-puran]], Sita's exile during her pregnancy was because of a curse during her childhood.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vedpuran.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/padam-puran.pdf|title=Padma-puran pdf file|date=1 October 2018|access-date=1 October 2018}}</ref> Sita had caught a pair of divine parrots, which were from Valmiki's ashram, when she was young. The birds were talking about a story of Sri Ram heard in [[Valmiki]]'s ashram, which intrigued Sita. She has the ability to talk with animals. The female bird was pregnant at that time. She requested Sita to let them go, but Sita only allowed her male companion to fly away, and the female parrot died because of the separation from her companion. As a result, the male bird cursed Sita that she would suffer a similar fate of being separated from her husband during pregnancy. The male bird was reborn as the washerman.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-04-26|title=Uttara Kanda of Ramayana was edited during 5th century BCE -– Puranas|url=https://www.booksfact.com/puranas/uttara-kanda-ramayana-edited-5th-century-bce.html|access-date=2020-07-07|website=BooksFact -– Ancient Knowledge & Wisdom|language=en-US}}</ref>

|title=The Ramayan Ofof Tulsidas Oror Thethe Bible Ofof Northern India

The second time Sita is shown talking prominently is when she speaks to Ravana. Ravana has come to her in the form of a mendicant and Sita tells him that he does not look like one.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Valmiki |first1=Ramayana |title=Aranya Kanda in Prose Sarga 49 |url=https://www.valmikiramayan.net/aranya/sarga49/aranya_49_prose.htm |website=www.valmikiramayan.net}}</ref><ref>{{cite book

Some of her most prominent speeches are with Hanuman when he reaches Lanka. Hanuman wants an immediate union of Rama and Sita and thus he proposes to Sita to ride on his back. Sita refuses as she does not want to run away like a thief; instead she wants her husband Rama to come and defeat Ravana to save her.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Valmiki |first1=Ramayana |title=Sundarkanda, sarga 37 |url=https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/sloka?field_kanda_tid=5&language=dv&field_sarga_value=37 |website=www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in |publisher=IIT Kanpur}}</ref>

Sita appears in the [[Puranas]] namely the ''[[Vishnu Purana]]'' and ''[[Padma Purana]]'' (as an avatar of [[Lakshmi]]),<ref>{{cite book|last=Wilson|first=H. H.|author-link=Horace Hayman Wilson|title=The Vishnu Purana: A system of Hindu mythology and tradition|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DgMxAQAAMAAJ&|year=1840|publisher=Oriental Translation Fund}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|first=Ludo |last=Rocher| year= 1986| author-link= Ludo Rocher| title= The Puranas| publisher= Otto Harrassowitz Verlag| isbn= 978-3447025225}}</ref> the ''[[Matsya Purana]]'' (as form of [[Devi]]), the ''[[Linga Purana]]'' (as form of Lakshmi), the ''[[Kurma Purana]]'', ''[[Agni Purana]]'', ''[[Garuda Purana]]'' (as consort of Rama), the ''[[Skanda Purana]]'' and the ''[[Shiva Purana]]''.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Kinsley|first=David|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HzldwMHeS6IC|title=Hindu Goddesses: Visions of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Tradition|date=1988-07-19|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=978-0-520-90883-3|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Dalal|first=Roshen|title=Hinduism and its basic texts|date=2017-07-14|work=Reading the Sacred Scriptures|pages=157–170|location=New York |publisher=Routledge |doi=10.4324/9781315545936-11|isbn=978-1-315-54593-6}}</ref> She also finds mention in the ''[[Vana Parva]]'' of the ''[[Mahabharata]]''.<ref>{{cite book|author=Buitenen|first=J. A. B. van|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2QG_ZgsM13IC|title=The Mahabharata, Volume 2: Book 2: The Book of Assembly; Book 3: The Book of the Forest|publisher=[[University of Chicago Press]]|year=1973|isbn=978-0-226-84664-4|pages=207–214}}</ref>

Sita along with Rama appearesappears as the central character in ''[[Valmiki Samhita]]'', which is attributed to their worship and describes them to be the [[Brahman|ultimate reality]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Valmiki |url=http://archive.org/details/valmiki-samhita |title=Valmiki Samhita (वाल्मीकि संहिता) |date=2023-10-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Bhagavānadāsa |first=Vaishṇava |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mWcWAAAAIAAJ |title=Ramanand Darshan Samiksha |publisher=Prajñā Prakāśana Mañca |year=1992 |edition=1st |pages=12 |language=Sanskrit, Hindi}}</ref> In its chapter 5, a dialogue form between Sita and [[Saptarshi|saptarishi]], described to [[Parvati]] by [[Shiva]] is mentioned, known as the ''[[Maithili Maha Upanishad|Maithili Mahopanishad]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Maithili Mahopanishat |url=https://sanskritdocuments.org/doc_upanishhat/maithilImahopaniShat.html?lang=sa |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=sanskritdocuments.org}}</ref>

Apart from other versions of ''Ramayana'', many 13th and 14th-century [[Vaishnava]] [[Sant (religion)|saints]] such as [[Nabha Dass]], [[Tulsidas]], [[Ramananda]] and [[Vedanta DesikaRamananda]] have mentioned Sita, in their works.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Goswāmi Tulasīdās |url=https://lordrama.co.in/goswami-tulsidas.html |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=lordrama.co.in |language=en}}</ref> While Ramananda's ''[[Sri Ramarchan Paddati]]'', written by Ramananda, explains the complete procedure to worship Sita-Rama, Tulsidas's ''[[Vinaya Patrika]]'' has devotional hymns dedicated to her.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.abhyuday.org/vp/index2.html |title=Stuti Vinay Patrika |access-date=2007-10-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061128130205/http://www.abhyuday.org/vp/index2.html |archive-date=2006-11-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Varnekar |first=Dr. Sridhar Bhaskar |url=https://archive.org/details/sanskrit-vadamay-kosh-part-1/page/430/mode/1up?q=%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF |title=Sanskrit Vadamay Kosh |publisher=Bhartiye Bhasha Parishad |year=1988 |edition=1st |location=Kolkata |pages=430 |language=Hindi}}</ref> Ramananda through his conversation with disciple Surasurananda in ''[[Vaishnava Matabja Bhaskara]]'', explains about the worship of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana. [[Kalidasa]]'s ''[[Raghuvaṃśa|Raghuvamsa]]'' gives a detail account of Sita's swayamvara, abduct and her exile, in the cantos 10 to 15.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Pandey |first=Dr. Rajbali |url=https://archive.org/details/ToEI_hindu-dharma-kosha-edited-by-dr.-rajbali-pandey-hindi-samiti-prabhag-series-248-/page/n627/mode/1up?q=%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0 |title=Hindu Dharma Kosha |publisher=Uttar Pradesh Hindi Sansthan |year=1970 |isbn=9788193783948 |edition=5th |location=Lucknow |pages=612}}</ref><ref>M. R. Kale (ed, 1922), [https://archive.org/details/raghuvamsaofkali00kliduoft The Raghuvamsa of Kalidasa: with the commentary (the Samjivani) of Mallinatha ; Cantos I-X]</ref> Vedanta Desika's ''[[Hamsa-Sandesha]]'', is a love poem which describes Rama sending message to Sita through a swan.<ref>{{cite journal | title = Lovers, Messengers and Beloved Landscapes: Sandeśa Kāvya in Comparative Perspective

[[File:Bhagvati Sita.jpg|thumb|upright|Bhagvati Sita at ISKCON]]

In worship of Rama, Sita is represented as a dutiful and loving wife, holding a position entirely subordinate to Rama. However, in the worship of Radha Krishna, Radha is often preferred over to Krishna, and in certain traditions, her name is elevated to a higher position compared to Krishna's.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Bhandarkar|first=R. G.|url=https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783111551975/html|title=Vaisnavism, Saivism and minor religious systems|date=2019-05-20|publisher=De Gruyter|isbn=978-3-11-155197-5|language=en|doi=10.1515/9783111551975}}</ref>

The ''[[Janaki Ramayana]]'' is written by [[Pandit Lal Das]]. In this poetic form version, Sita is the central character of the epic.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-11-07 |title='जानकी रामायण', ऐसी रामायण जो राम पर नहीं सीता पर आधारित है |url=https://hindi.news18.com/news/knowledge/stories-of-sita-which-you-only-find-in-mahakavi-pandit-lal-das-janaki-ramayana-1575637.html |access-date=2024-06-17 |websitepublisher=News18 हिंदी |language=hi}}</ref> The life of Goddess Sita and her infinite powers have been described from the beginning to the end. There are three Khandas in the ''Janaki Ramayana'': ''Kathārambha'', ''Lakshmikaanda'' and ''Radhakaanda''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=लालदास |url=https://books.google.com/books/about/%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%80_%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A3.html?id=b8YGAAAAMAAJ |title=जानकी-रामायण: प्रबन्ध-काव्य |date=1980 |publisher=Maithilī Akādamī |language=hi}}</ref>

The ''[[Adbhuta Ramayana]]'' is written by Valmiki himself and is shorter than the original epic. Sita is accorded far more prominence in this variant of the Ramayana narrative.<ref>{{Cite web|date=6 May 2015|title=Five other Ramayanas: Sita as Kali, Lakshman as Ravana's slayer and more|url=https://scroll.in/article/725361/five-other-ramayanas-sita-as-kali-lakshman-as-ravanas-slayer-and-more|accessdate=14 September 2019}}</ref> During the war, Sahastra Ravana shot an arrow at Rama, making him wounded and unconscious on the battle field. Seeing Rama unconscious and helpless on the field, Sita give up her human appearance and take the horrific form of [[Kali|Mahakali]]. In less than a second, she severed Sahastra Ravana's 1000 heads and began destroying rakshasas everywhere. Sita is eventually pacified by the gods, Rama's consciousness is restored and the story moves on.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Grierson|first=Sir George|title=On the Adbhuta-Ramayana|journal=Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies|year=1926|volume=4|issue=11–27|doi=10.1017/S0041977X0010254X|pages=11–27}}</ref>

Sita in [[Hinduism]], is revered as the goddess of beauty and devotion. She is mostly depicted along with her husband Rama and is shakti or prakriti of Rama, as told in the ''Ram Raksha Stotram''. [[Madhubani paintings|Mithila art]], that originated at Sita's birthplace depicts Sita and Rama's marriage ceremony through the paintings.<ref name="Madhubani Painting">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UvuJyvtsCjwC&q=madhubani+art+madhubani+district&pg=PA96|title=Madhubani Painting|date=30 September 2017|publisher=Abhinav Publications|via=Google Books|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170221110108/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=UvuJyvtsCjwC&pg=PA96&dq=madhubani+art+madhubani+district&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj8kJ761p_SAhUrIsAKHb2ZDfYQ6AEIIzAC#v=onepage&q=madhubani+art+madhubani+district&f=false|archive-date=21 February 2017|df=dmy-all|isbn=9788170171560}}</ref>

In Rama and Sita's temple, she is always placed on Rama's right, with a golden-yellow complexion.<ref>{{cite book|author=T. A. Gopinatha Rao|title=Elements of Hindu iconography|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MJD-KresBwIC|year=1993|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|isbn=978-81-208-0878-2|pages=189–195|access-date=10 April 2017|archive-date=11 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111033003/https://books.google.com/books?id=MJD-KresBwIC|url-status=live}}</ref> She is dressed in traditional ''sari'' or ''ghagra-choli '' along with a veil. Her jewelry are either made of metals, pearls or flowers.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Mohan |first=Urmila |dateyear=2018 |title=Clothing as devotion in Contemporary Hinduism |url=https://brill.com/view/journals/rpra/rpra-overview.xml |journal=Brill Research Perspectives in Religion and Art|volume=2 |issue=4 |pages=1–82 |doi=10.1163/24688878-12340006 |s2cid=202530099 }}</ref>

In the ''Ramayana'', Sita is mostly depicted in [[sari|saris]]s and is called ethereal and divine. Praising her beauty in the [[Aranya Kanda]], Ravana stated, {{Blockquote|"Oh, rosy faced one, are you the personified numen of respect, renown or resplendence, or the felicitous Lakshmi herself, or oh, curvaceous one, are you a nymphal Apsara, or the numen of benefactress, or a self-motivated woman, or Rati devi, the consort of Manmatha, the Love God."<ref>{{cite web |title=Valmiki Ramayana -– Aranya Kanda in Prose Sarga 46

Sita is the daughter of King Janak and Queen Videha of Mithalapuri. She has a brother named Bhamandal who is kidnapped soon after his birth by a deity due to animosity in a previous life. He is thrown into a garden of Rathnupur where he is dropped into the arms of King Chandravardhan of Rathnupur. The king and queen bring him up as their own son. Ram and Sita get married due to Bhamandal and in the course of events Bhamandal realises that Sita is his sister. It is then that he meets his birth parents.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-09-21|title=Jain Ramayana |url=https://www.en.encyclopediaofjainism.com/index.php/Jain_Ramayana|access-date=2021-08-13|website=www.en.encyclopediaofjainism.com|archive-date=13 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813153411/https://www.en.encyclopediaofjainism.com/index.php/Jain_Ramayana|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Iyengar|first=Kodaganallur Ramaswami Srinivasa|title=Asian Variations Inin Ramayana|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CU92nFk5fU4C|year=2005|publisher=Sahitya Akademi|isbn=978-81-260-1809-3}}</ref>

The ''[[Dasaratha Jataka]]'', a Jataka tale found in Buddhist literature describes Rama, Sita and Lakshmana as siblings. They are not banished but sent away to the Himalayas by King Dasaratha in order to protect them from their jealous stepmother, the only antagonist. When things have cooled down, Rama and Sita return to Benaras – and not Ayodhya – and get married.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Jataka, Vol. IV: No. 461.: Dasaratha-Jātaka.|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/bud/j4/j4025.htm|access-date=2021-01-26|website=www.sacred-texts.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Dasaratha Jataka (#461)|url=https://thejatakatales.com/dasaratha-jataka-461/|access-date=2021-01-26|website=The Jataka Tales|language=en-US}}</ref>

In [[Hinduism]], Sita is revered as the goddess. She has been portrayed as an ideal daughter, an ideal wife and an ideal mother in various texts, stories, illustrations, movies and modern media.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Dhar|first=Aarttee Kaul|title=Ramayana and Sita in Films and Popular Media:The Repositioning of a Globalised Version|url=https://www.academia.edu/11877534|language=en}}</ref> Sita is often worshipped with Rama as his consort. The occasion of her marriage to Rama is celebrated as [[Vivaha Panchami]]. The actions, reactions, and instincts manifested by Sita at every juncture in a long and arduous life are deemed exemplary. Her story has been portrayed in the book ''Sitayanam''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sitayanam.com/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090101221413/http://www.sitayanam.com/|url-status=dead|title=Sitayanam…|archive-date=1 January 2009|website=www.sitayanam.com}}</ref> The values that Sitashe enshrined and adhered to at every point in the course of a demanding life are the values of womanly virtue held sacred by countless generations of Indians.<ref>{{Cite book |lastname="Moor |first=Edward |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5kJDAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA316 |title=The Hindu Pantheon |date=1810 |publisher=J. Johnson |pages=316 |language=en}}<"/ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Mukherjee|first=Prabhati|title=Hindu Women: Normative Models |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6ovdvq7mjpUC&q=Hindu+Women%3A+Normative+Models.+Calcutta%3A+Orient+Blackswan|year=1999|publisher=Orient Blackswan|location=Calcutta|isbn=81-250-1699-6}}</ref>

Although Sita's statue is always kept with Rama's statue in Rama temples, there are varioussome temples dedicated to herSita:

* [[Janaki Janmasthali Mandir]], Janaki Dham, situated in [[Sitamarhi]] district in [[Bihar]], India.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-19 |title=Ram temple fillip: Bihar acquires 50 acres in Sitamarhi for Sita temple |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/ram-temple-fillip-bihar-acquires-50-acres-in-sitamarhi-for-sita-temple-9221712/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-19 |title=After Ayodhya’sAyodhya's Ram Mandir, NDA govt will construct Sita Mata temple in Bihar’sBihar's Sitamarhi |url=https://indianexpress.com/elections/sita-temple-ayodhya-ram-mandir-amit-shah-bihar-lok-sabha-polls-9333133/lite/ |access-date=27 May 2024 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

* [[Seetha Devi Temple]], Pulpally, in the [[Wayanad]] district in, [[Kerala]], India.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Ltd|first=Infokerala Communications Pvt|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=33E3DgAAQBAJ&q=Kuppathode&pg=PA387|title=Pilgrimage to Temple Heritage 2015|date=2015-08-01|publisher=Info Kerala Communications Pvt Ltd|isbn=978-81-929470-1-3|language=en}}</ref>

* [[Seetha Amman Temple]], Nähe [[Nuwara Eliya]] in, [[Sri Lanka]].<ref>{{Cite webnews |title=India sends holy Sarayu water to Sri Lanka for consecration ceremony of Seetha Amma temple |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-sends-holy-sarayu-water-to-sri-lanka-for-consecration-ceremony-of-seetha-amma-temple/article68117495.ece/amp/ |access-date=29 April 2024 |website=The Hindu|date=28 April 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Sinha |first=Amitabh |date=26 April 2023 |url=https://www.news18.com/india/epic-ties-sri-lankan-pm-unveils-special-cover-for-sita-temple-in-nuwara-eliya-ramayana-trail-to-be-made-more-attractive-7646653.html |title='Epic' Ties: Sri Lankan PM Unveils Special Cover for Sita Temple in Nuwara Eliya, Ramayana Trail to Be Made More Attractive |websitepublisher=News18}}</ref>

* Ponkuzhi Sita Temple, situated in [[Muthanga]] in, Kerala.<ref>[https://www.onmanorama.com/travel/kerala/2018/06/07/tiptoeing-sita-trail-wayanad.html Tiptoeing on Sita trail in Wayanad](17 June 2018), ''Onmanorama''</ref>

* Sita Ki Rasoi, situated in [[Ayodhya district|Ayodhya]] district in Uttar Pradesh, India.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Sita Ki Rasoi', The Sacred Temple Kitchen Where Goddess Sita Cooked |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/etimes/trending/sita-ki-rasoi-the-sacred-kitchen-where-goddess-sita-cooked/amp_etphotostory/108367837.cms |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=The Times of India|date=10 March 2024 }}</ref>

As part of the [[Bhakti movement]], Rama and Sita became the focus of the [[Ramanandi Sampradaya]], a ''[[sannyasi]]'' community founded by the 14th-century North-Indian poet-saint [[Ramananda]]. This community has grown to become the largest Hindu [[Sannyasa|monastic]] community in modern times.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Raj|first1=Selva J.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ov2oltTLinkC|title=Dealing with Deities: The Ritual Vow in South Asia|last2=Harman|first2=William P.|date=1 January 2006|publisher=SUNY Press|isbn=978-0-7914-6708-4|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Larson|first=Gerald James|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g6jmckIUHMAC|title=India's Agony Over Religion: Confronting Diversity in Teacher Education|date=16 February 1995|publisher=SUNY Press|isbn=978-0-7914-2412-4|language=en|access-date=6 March 2021|archive-date=31 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240131062746/https://books.google.com.bd/books?id=g6jmckIUHMAC&redir_esc=y|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Lorenzen|first=David N.|author-link=David Lorenzen|dateyear=1999|title=Who Invented Hinduism?|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SO-YmMWpcVEC|journal=Comparative Studies in Society and History|volume=41|issue=4|pages=630–659|doi=10.1017/S0010417599003084|doi-broken-date=26 August 2024 |issn=0010-4175|jstor=179424|isbn=9788190227261|s2cid=247327484|via=Book|access-date=6 March 2021|archive-date=23 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223185737/https://books.google.com/books?id=SO-YmMWpcVEC|url-status=live}}</ref> Sita is also the supreme goddess in the [[Haridas Niranjani|Niranjani Sampradaya]], that primarily worships Rama and Sita.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Tattwananda |first1=Swami |title= Vaisnava Sects, Saiva Sects, Mother Worship |edition=1st revised |year=1984 |publisher= Firma KLM Private Ltd. |location=Calcutta |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.128453 |page=68}}</ref>

* ''[[Jai Siya Ram]]'' – Greeting or Salutation in [[North India]] dedicated to Sita and Rama.<ref>{{Cite web|title=6.1 Many Ramayanas: text and tradition -– The Ramayan|url=https://www.coursera.org/lecture/india/6-1-many-ramayanas-text-and-tradition-KpEhe|access-date=2020-08-15|website=Coursera|language=en}}</ref>

Vivaha Panchami is a Hindu festival celebrating the wedding of Rama and Sita in the [[Janakpurdham]] which was the capital city of [[Mithila (region)|Mithila]]. It is observed on the fifth day of the [[Paksha|Shukla paksha]] or waxing phase of moon in the [[Agrahayana]] month (November – December) as per the [[Bikram Samvat]] calendar and in the month of [[Mangsir]].<ref name="ABP">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=17 December 2023|title=Vivah Panchami 2023: Date, Time, Significance And All You Need To Know|url=https://news.abplive.com/astro/vivah-panchami17-december-2023-shubh-muhurat-rama-sita-puja-vidhi-mantra-niyam-time-significance-1650575|newspaper=ABP Live|access-date= 18 April 2024}}</ref> The day is observed as the Vivaha Utsava of Sita and [[Rama]] in temples and sacred places associated with Rama, such as the Mithila region of [[Bihar]], [[India]], [[Nepal]] and Ayodhya of India.<ref>{{cite web|title=2015 Vivah Panchami|url=http://www.drikpanchang.com/festivals/vivah-panchami/vivah-panchami-date-time.html?year=2015|publisher=DrikPanchang|access-date=20 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=धूमधाम से मनाया जा रहा विवाह पंचमी त्योहार:आज ही हुआ था भगवान राम और देवी सीता का विवाह|url=https://www.bhaskar.com/amp/local/bihar/sitamarhi/news/vivah-panchami-festival-being-celebrated-with-pomp-132300705.html|work=Dainik Bhaskar|access-date=26 December 2023}}</ref>

Rama and Sita's life is remembered and celebrated every year with dramatic plays and fireworks in autumn. This is called [[Ramlila]], and the play follows the ''[[Ramayana]]'' or more commonly the ''[[Ramcharitmanas]]''.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Gupta|first=Shakti M.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XQjgAAAAMAAJ|title=Festivals, Fairs, and Fasts of India|publisher=Clarion Books|year=1991|location=[[University of Indiana]], [[United States]]|isbn=9-788-185-12023-2|oclc=1108734495}}</ref> It is observed through thousands of Rama-related performance arts and dance events, that are staged during the festival of [[Navratri]] in [[India]].{{sfn|Encyclopedia Britannica|2015}} After the enactment of the legendary war between Good and Evil, the Ramlila celebrations climax in the [[Dussehra]] (Dasara, Vijayadashami) night festivities where the giant grotesque effigies of Evil such as of demon Ravana are burnt, typically with fireworks.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kasbekar |first=Asha |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Sv7Uk0UcdM8C&q=Jatra+bengal&pg=PA44 |title=Pop Culture India!: Media, Arts, and Lifestyle |date=2006 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-1-85109-636-7 |language=en |access-date=8 March 2021 |archive-date=31 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240131062704/https://books.google.com/books?id=Sv7Uk0UcdM8C&q=Jatra+bengal&pg=PA44 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Ramlila festivities were declared by UNESCO as one of the "Intangible Cultural Heritages of Humanity" in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|title=Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage |url=http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/index.php?lg=EN |access-date=2009-09-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090716023040/http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/index.php?lg=EN |archive-date=July 16, July 2009 }}</ref> Ramlila is particularly notable in historically important Hindu cities of [[Ayodhya]], [[Varanasi]], [[Vrindavan]], [[Almora]], [[Satna]] and [[Madhubani district|Madhubani]] – cities in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. The epic and its dramatic play migrated into southeast Asia in the 1st millennium CE, and ''Ramayana'' based ''Ramlila'' is a part of performance arts culture of Indonesia, particularly the Hindu society of [[Bali]], [[Myanmar]], [[Cambodia]] and [[Thailand]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Bose |first=Mandakranta |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2Ar2Qfr-UeQC |title=The Ramayana Revisited |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-19-516832-7 |pages=342–350}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Muskan Singh |url=https://www.thequint.com/neon/now-rolling/playing-sita-in-ramlila-one-role-many-actors-same-belief |title=Playing Sita in Ramleela: One Role, Many Actors, Same Belief |work=The Quint |accessdate=28 November 2023}}</ref>

[[Vasanthotsavam]] is an annual Seva celebrated in [[Tirumala]] to celebrate the arrival of spring season.<ref>{{cite book|last=N|first=Ramesan|title=The Tirumala Temple|year=1981|publisher=[[Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams|TTD]]|location=[[Tirupati (city)|Tirupati]]}}</ref> ''Abhishekam'' -– specifically called ''Snapana Thirumanjanam'' (Holy bathing), is performed to the utsava murthy and his consorts on all the three days. On the third day, abhishekam is performed to the idols of [[Rama]], Sita, [[Lakshmana]] and [[Hanumana]] along with [[Krishna]] and [[Rukmini]]. Procession of the consecrated idols are taken in a procession in the evening on all the three days.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/04/12/stories/2006041210620300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060419152327/http://www.hindu.com/2006/04/12/stories/2006041210620300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2006-04-19|title=Vasanthotsavam begins|date=2006-04-12|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=2008-04-18}}</ref>

[[File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Reliëf op de aan Shiva gewijde tempel op de Candi Lara Jonggrang oftewel het Prambanan tempelcomplex TMnr 10016191.jpg|thumb|Ravana kidnapping Sita riding winged giant, while the Jatayu on the left tried to help her. 9th century [[Prambanan]] bas-relief at the temple dedicated to Shiva at Prambanan temple complex, [[Java]], [[Indonesia]]]]

The next story is not much different from the original version, namely the marriage of Shinta to Sri Rama, her kidnapping, and the death of Ravana in the great war. However, the Javanese version says, after the war ended, Rama did not become king in Ayodhya, but instead built a new kingdom called Pancawati. From her marriage to Rama, Sinta gave birth to two sons named Ramabatlawa and Ramakusiya. The first son, namely Ramabatlawa, brought down the kings of the Mandura Kingdom, including Basudeva, and also his son, Krishna.<ref>Nurdin. J aka J. Noorduyn: 1971.''Traces of an Old Sundanese Ramayana Tradition'' in ''Indonesia'', Vol. 12, (Oct., 1971), pp. 151-157151–157 Southeast Asia Publications at Cornell University. Cornell University: 1971</ref>

[[File:Ramawijaya dan Shinta pada Sendratari Ramayana Prambanan.jpg|thumb|Rama and Shinta in [[Wayang Wong]] performance near [[Candi of Indonesia|temple]] in Indonesia]]

One time, Raden Ramawijaya was defeated by Raden Ramawijaya, until Dewi Shinta was freed from Ravana's shackles. However, Shinta's suffering did not end there. After being released, she was still suspected of her chastity by her own husband Ramawijaya. So, to show that as long as in the reign of the King of Alengka, Sinta has not been stained, Shinta proves herself by plunging into the fire. Shinta was saved from the raging fire by the gods of heaven.<ref>{{citation | url=https://jagad.id/dewi-shinta/| author= | title=Dewi Shinta : Sifat dan Kisah Cerita| date= 15 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{citation | url=https://kumparan.com/tambara-boyak/dewi-shinta-sebuah-gambaran-keteguhan-seorang-feminis-1uOgYujTHly| author= Tambora boyak| title=Dewi Shinta, Sebuah Gambaran Keteguhan Seorang Feminis}}</ref>

Sita is referred to as Neang Seda in the Cambodian version ''[[Reamker]]''.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060218114404/http://www.aznforum.com/community/showthread.php?t=361 Reamker Epic Legend] -– a forum post</ref> While the story is similar to the original epic, there are two difference. Firstly, Rama married Sita, by completing the challenge of firing arrows through a spinning wheel with spokes. Later, Neang Seda (Sita) leave for the forest immediately after passing the test, as she is deeply offended by her husband's lack of trust in her and his lack of belief in her word. <ref>{{Cite journal|last=Marrison|first=G. E.|date=January 1989|title=Reamker (Rāmakerti), the Cambodian version of the Rāmāyaṇa.* a review article|journal=Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society|volume=121|issue=1|pages=122–129|doi=10.1017/S0035869X00167917|s2cid=161831703 |issn=2051-2066}}</ref>

[[Nepal]]'s Janakpur is considered to be Sita's birthplace, other than [[Bihar]]'s Sitamarhi. Sita is one of the eighteen [[National Hero of Nepal|national heroes]] (''rastriya bibhuti'') of Nepal.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.imnepal.com/national-heroes-nepal/|title=National Heroes / Personalities / Luminaries of Nepal|date=2011-12-23|work=ImNepal.com|access-date=2017-08-06|language=en-US}}</ref>

== Influence and depiction ==

Rama and Sita have inspired many forms of performance arts and literary works.{{Sfn|James G. Lochtefeld|2002}} [[Madhubani paintings]] are charismatic art of Bihar, and are mostly based on religion and mythology. In the paintings, Hindu gods like Sita-Rama are in center with their marriage ceremony being one of the primary theme.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UvuJyvtsCjwC&q=madhubani+art+madhubani+district&pg=PA96|titlename="Madhubani Painting|date=30 September 2017|publisher=Abhinav Publications|via=Google Books|url-status=live|archive-url=https:"//web.archive.org/web/20170221110108/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=UvuJyvtsCjwC&pg=PA96&dq=madhubani+art+madhubani+district&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj8kJ761p_SAhUrIsAKHb2ZDfYQ6AEIIzAC#v=onepage&q=madhubani+art+madhubani+district&f=false|archive-date=21 February 2017|df=dmy-all|isbn=9788170171560}}</ref> Sita's abduction and her days in Lanka have also been depicted in the [[Rajput painting]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/art/Rajput-painting |title=Rājput painting |author= |website=[[EncyclopaediaEncyclopædia Britannica]] |language=en |access-date=20 March 2023 |archive-date=22 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122102657/https://www.britannica.com/art/Rajput-painting |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Ravana, overwhelmed by grief on hearing of his son's deat, sends out more forces against Rama. From Mewar Ramayana.jpg|thumb|''[[Ravana]], overwhelmed by grief on hearing of his son's death, sends out more forces against [[Rama]]'' by [[Sahibdin]], Folio from the Mewar [[Ramayana]]. Arranged in old horizontal ''pothī'' format, a full-page picture on one side of folio and accompanying text on the reverse, this painting follow Indian tradition of illustration of several connected incidents from a story in the same picture in continuous narration. Here we first see Ravana overwhelmed by grief on hearing of his last remaining son's death. Then furious with rage, he rushes with his upraised sword at Sita, who calmly awaits her fate seated in her grove, but he is restrained by his minister Suparsva. In order to intimidate [[Rama]] for his own going forth on the morrow, he decides to send out his army yet again to the accompaniment of war-drums and trumpets being beaten and blown, while his own bow is made ready. Mewar, 1652. [[British Library]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sāhibdīn {{!}} Indian painter {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sahibdin |access-date=2022-11-22 |website=www.britannica.comEncyclopædia |language=enBritannica}}</ref>]]

Sita is a primary figure in [[Maithili music]], of the [[Mithila (region)|Mithila]] region. The folk music genre ''Lagan'', mentions about the problems faced by Rama and Sita during their marriage.<ref>{{cite journal | author= Edward O. Henry | year = 1998 | title = Maithil Women's Song: Distinctive and Endangered Species | journal= Ethnomusicology | volume= 42 | issue= 3 | pages= 415–440 | doi= 10.2307/852849| jstor = 852849 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://nepal.saarctourism.org/nepal-music.html | title=Maithili Music of India and Nepal : SAARC Secreteriat | work=SAARC Music Department | publisher=South Asian Association For Regional Cooperation | work=SAARC Music Department | access-date=26 August 2016}}

In [[Indonesia]], especially [[Java]] and [[Bali]], ''Ramayana'' has become a popular source of artistic expression for dance drama and shadow puppet performances in the region. [[Ramayana Ballet|Sendratari Ramayana]] is the [[Javanese dance|Javanese traditional ballet]] in [[wayang orang]] style, routinely performed in the cultural center of [[Yogyakarta]].<ref>{{cite news | newspaper = The New York Times | title = On Java, a Creative Explosion in an Ancient City | first = Donald | last = Frazier | date = 11 February 2016 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/14/travel/indonesia-yogyakarta-java-island.html | access-date = 31 July 2017 | archive-date = 11 April 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210411014343/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/14/travel/indonesia-yogyakarta-java-island.html | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Willem Frederik Stutterheim |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OoitUqGk8PAC |title=Rāma-legends and Rāma-reliefs in Indonesia |publisher=Abhinav Publications |year=1989 |isbn=978-81-7017-251-2 |pages=109–160}}</ref> In [[Balinese temples|Balinese Hindu temples]] in [[Ubud]] and [[Uluwatu Temple|Uluwatu]], where scenes from Ramayana are an integral part of [[kecak]] dance performances.<ref>[[James Clifford (historian)|James Clifford]], ''The Predicament of Culture: Twentieth-Century Ethnography, Literature, and Art'' (Cambridge and London: [[Harvard University Press]], 1988), p. 223. Cited in Yamashita (1999), p.178.</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=All About Devi Sita |date=17 May 2021 |url=https://www.hinduamerican.org/blog/devi-sita}}</ref>

In the [[North India]]n region, mainly in [[Uttar Pradesh]] and [[Bihar]], people use salutations such as ''[[Jai Shri Ram]]'', ''[[Jai Siya Ram]]''{{Sfn|Breman|1999|p=270}} and ''Siyavar Ramchandraji Ki Jai''.<ref name="IE assertive">{{cite news |first=Devyani |last=Onial |date=2020-08-06 |title=From assertive 'Jai Shri Ram', a reason to move to gentler 'Jai Siya Ram' |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/from-assertive-jai-shri-ram-a-reason-to-move-to-gentler-jai-siya-ram-6541467/ |newspaper=The Indian Express |access-date=6 August 2020 |archive-date=7 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807000931/https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/from-assertive-jai-shri-ram-a-reason-to-move-to-gentler-jai-siya-ram-6541467/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Photojournalist Prashant Panjiar wrote about how in the city Ayodhya female pilgrims always chant "Sita-Ram-Sita-Ram".<ref name="IE assertive" /> Ramanandi ascetics (called ''Bairagis'') often use chants like "Jaya Sita Ram" and "Sita Ram".<ref>{{citation |title=Religious sects of the Hindus |first=H. H. |last=Wilson |author-link=H. H. Wilson |edition=Second |publisher=Susil Gupta (India) Private Ltd. |location=Calcutta |year=1958 |orig-year=1861 |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.csl.5320/page/n35 |via=archive.orgInternet Archive}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=MOLESWORTH |first=James T. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EZpeAAAAcAAJ&dq=%22%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AE%22&pg=PA308 |title=A Dictionary English and Maráthí ... commenced by J. T. Molesworth ... completed by T. Candy |date=1857 |language=en}}</ref> The chants of ''Jai Siya Ram'' is also common at religious places and gatherings, for example, the [[Kumbh Mela]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-08-30|title=Chants of 'Jai Shree Ram' fill air as sadhus march for holy dip|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/chants-of-jai-shree-ram-fill-air-as-sadhus-march-for-holy-dip/|access-date=2020-08-13|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Balajiwale|first=Vaishali|date=2015-09-14|title=More than 25 lakh devotees take second Shahi Snan at Nashik Kumbh Mela|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-more-than-25-lakh-devotees-take-second-shahi-snan-at-nashik-kumbh-mela-2124987|access-date=2020-08-14|website=DNADaily India|language=enNews and Analysis}}</ref> It is often used during the recital of ''Ramayana'', ''[[Ramcharitmanas]]'', especially the [[Sundara Kanda]].{{Sfn|Breman|1999}} Writer [[Amish Tripathi]] opines that "Shri" in ''Jai Shri Ram'' means Sita. He added,

{{Blockquote|We say ''Jai Shri Ram'' or ''Jai Siya Ram''. Lord Ram and Goddess Sita are inseparable. When we worship Lord Ram, we worship Sita as well. We learn from Lord Ram, we learn from Goddess Sita as well. Traditionally, when you say ''Jai Shri Ram'', Shri means Sita. Sita is the avatar of Goddess Laxmi and referred to as Shri. So, that's the way to see it. It's an equal partnership."<ref>{{Cite web|date=19 May 2017|title=This is Sita’sSita's story, where Ram is just a character: Amish Tripathi|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/books/this-is-sita-s-story-where-ram-is-just-a-character-amish-tripathi/story-085gTWVmzA29ieSdFRz1aP.html|access-date=21 November 2019|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref>}}

Sita's story and sacrifice have inspired "painting, film, novels, poems, TV serials and plays". Prominently, she is depicted in all the adaptations of ''Ramayana''.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Mankekar|first=Purnima|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fZf8wmVdpaIC&q=ramayana+in+serial&pg=PA165|title=Screening Culture, Viewing Politics: An Ethnography of Television, Womanhood, and Nation in Postcolonial India|date=1999|publisher=Duke University Press|isbn=978-0-8223-2390-7|language=en}}</ref>

The following people portrayed Sita in the film adaptation of ''Ramayana''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vijayakumar |first=B. |date=3 August 2014 |title=Films and the Ramayana |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/films-and-the-ramayana/article6277395.ece |url-status=live |access-date=14 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141202044210/http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/films-and-the-ramayana/article6277395.ece |archive-date=2 December 2014}}</ref>

* [[Juhi Chawla]] voiced her in the 2010 animated Hindi film ''[[Ramayana: The Epic]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Epic-Effort/682610/|last=Nagpaul D'souza|first=Dipti|title=Epic Effort|date=17 September 2010|accessdate=18 September 2010|work=Indian Express|agency=The Indian Express Limited}}</ref>

* [[Nayanthara]] portrayed her in the 2011 Telugu film ''[[Sri Rama Rajyam]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/telugu-review-sri-rama-rajyam-is-a-must-watch/204138-8-69.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111122051451/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/telugu-review-sri-rama-rajyam-is-a-must-watch/204138-8-69.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 November 2011|title=Telugu Review: 'Sri Rama Rajyam' is a must watch|workpublisher=CNN-IBN|access-date=20 November 2011}}</ref>

* [[Dipika Chikhlia]] portrayed her in the 1987 series ''[[Ramayan (1987 TV series)|Ramayan]]'' and the 1998 series ''[[Luv Kush]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Dalrymple|first1=William|author-link1=William Dalrymple (historian)|title=All Indian life is here|url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2008/aug/23/art.ramayana|work=[[The Daily TelegraphGuardian]]|location=London|access-date=15 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130902143318/http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2008/aug/23/art.ramayana|archive-date=2 September 2013|date=23 August 2008}}</ref>

* Reena Shah voiced her in the 2008 America animated series ''[[Sita Sings the Blues]]''. [[Annette Hanshaw]] sang for her in the series songs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/movie/sita-sings-the-blues |title=Sita Sings the Blues reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=2019-07-01 |archive-date=June 21, June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621085709/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/sita-sings-the-blues |url-status=live }}</ref>

* [[Rubina Dilaik]]'' portrayed her in the 2011 series [[Devon Ke Dev...Mahadev]]''.<ref>{{cite news|title=An epic battle|last=Bhattacharyya|first=Anushree|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/archive/an-epic-battle/1160681/|work=[[The Financial Express (|location=India)|The Financial Express]]|date=27 August 2013|access-date=30 May 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109095117/https://www.financialexpress.com/archive/an-epic-battle/1160681/|archivedate=9 January 2021|url-status=dead}}</ref>

* [[Shivya Pathania]] portrayed her in the 20182019 series ''[[Ram Siya Ke Luv Kush]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/node/|title=Ram Siya Ke Luv Kush|website=PINKVILLA|language=en|access-date=2019-08-05|archive-date=3 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203010609/https://www.pinkvilla.com/node/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

* Aishwarya Ojha portrayed her in the 2021 web series ''Ramyug''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ramyug first impression: Kunal Kohli's retelling of Lord Ram's story misses the mark |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/ramyug-first-impression-kunal-kohli-mx-player-7303122 |website=The Indian Express |access-date=31 July 2023 |language=en |date=6 May 2021}}</ref>

* [[Prachi Bansal]] portrayed her in the 2024 series ''[[Shrimad Ramayan]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shrimad Ramayan Promo: Prachi Bansal introduced as Sita in the new Sony Entertainment Television show |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/amp/news/bollywood/shrimad-ramayan-promo-prachi-bansal-introduced-sita-new-sony-entertainment-television-show/ |access-date=16 December 2023 |website=Bollywood Hungama|date=8 December 2023 }}</ref>

* ''In Search Ofof Sita: Revisiting Mythology'' by Namita Gokhale, published in 2009.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YTknAgAAQBAJ | title=In Search Ofof Sita: Revisiting Mythology |year=2009 | isbn=9789354922305 | last1=Gokhale | first1=Namita | date=15 October 2009 | publisher=Penguin Books Limited}}</ref>

* ''Sita -– An Illustrated Retelling of the Ramayana'' by [[Devdutt Pattanaik]], published in 2013.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ishAEAAAQBAJ | title=Sita: A Tale of Ancient Love |year=2013 | isbn=9789351184201 | last1=Pattanaik | first1=Devdutt | date=20 October 2013 | publisher=Penguin Random House India Private Limited}}</ref>

* ''Bhumika: A Story of Sita'' by Aditya Iyengar, published in 2019.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fB2dDwAAQBAJ | title=Bhumika: A Story of Sita |year=2019 | isbn=9789388322362 | last1=Iyengar | first1=Aditya | date=25 July 2019 | publisher=Hachette India}}</ref>

* ''The Forest of Enchantments'' by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, published in 2019.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://wwwbooks.google.co.incom/books/edition/The_Forest_of_Enchantments/gx98DwAAQBAJ?hlid=engx98DwAAQBAJ | title=The Forest of Enchantments |year=2019 | isbn=9789353025991 | last1=Banerjee Divakaruni | first1=Chitra | date=7 January 2019 | publisher=HarperCollins Publishers India}}</ref>

* ''Sita: A Tale of Ancient Love'' by Bhanumathi Narasimhan, published in 2021.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EUoiAQAAQBAJ | title=Sita: A Tale of Ancient Love |year=2021 | isbn=9789354922305 | last1=Narasimhan | first1=Bhanumathi | date=15 October 2021 | publisher=Penguin Random House India Private Limited}}</ref>

* ''Sita: Warrior Ofof Mithila'' by [[Amish Tripathi]], published in 2022.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CRl9EAAAQBAJ | title=Sita: Warrior Ofof Mithila |year=2022 | isbn=9789356290945 | last1=Tripathi | first1=Amish | date=25 July 2022 | publisher=HarperCollins India}}</ref>

* Shri Ram Janki Medical College and Hospital in [[Samastipur]], Bihar.<ref>{{Cite webnews |title=Nitish dedicates 500-bed hospital named after Lord Ram and goddess Sita |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/nitish-dedicates-500-bed-hospital-named-after-lord-ram-and-goddess-sita/article67762411.ece/amp/ |access-date=28 January 2024 |website=The Hindu|date=21 January 2024 |last1=Bhelari |first1=Amit }}</ref>

* {{cite journal|last=Dimock |first=Jr, E.C. |dateyear=1963 |title =Doctrine and Practice among the Vaisnavas of Bengal |journal= History of Religions |volume=3 | issue=1 |pages=106–127 |jstor= 1062079 |doi=10.1086/462474 |s2cid=162027021}}

* {{cite book|author=Lochtefeld|title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: N-Z|first=James G.|url=https://archive.org/details/illustratedencyc0000loch|url-access=registration|year=2002|publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-8239-3180-4|pages=|ref={{SfnRef|James G. Lochtefeld|2002}}}}

|title=Asian Variations Inin Ramayana