Tag: Dandakaranya

It was at this place where Lakshmana made a kutiya (hermitage) for them to stay. The still water of river Mandakini and floral beauty made this place the most ideal for Shri Rama to do Tapasya. Bharata, who was unaware of all this scenario created by Maa Kaikeyi whose ears were poisoned by her maid ‘Manthara’, came to meet his brother Shri Rama at Chitrakuta. He urged him to return to the kingdom and accept the crown of Ayodhya Maharaja. However, Maryada Purushottam could not go back on his word and disrespect his father, cementing the tag that he got. On seeing the firm determination of Shri Rama, Bharata decided to return back to Ayodhya with Shri Ram’s charan paduka (footwear), which he would worship every day and be placed on the throne on his behalf. Bharata was the caretaker of the Ayodhya Saamrajya for the next 14 years.