Sita

Someday someone will write a story titled Sitayan.

The story of Ram, Laxman, Bharat and Ravan told from Sita’s viewpoint.

Her birth, her life as a princess, her being won over, her choice to live in the forest to accompany her husband and her loyalty. And despite living as the ideal woman, the loss of dignity she suffered.

In Sri Lanka there is a temple at the site at which she was subjected to her loss of dignity. According to the most widely known version of the story, after Rama defeated Ravana in Lanka and rescued Sita, questions arose about her purity because she had spent months in Ravana’s captivity. To demonstrate that she had remained faithful and untouched, Sita entered a sacred fire. The fire god, Agni, returned her unharmed, which was taken as proof of her innocence and virtue.

But I wonder what she went through.

A temple now stands at that spot.

Just outside is a Peepal tree. It is said the leaves of that peepal are unique – they are small – diminished – and cannot be found anywhere else.

After this demeaning fire test, they return to Ayodhya and Ram rules as a king. Upon hearing rumours that citizens are doubting here purity, Sita is once again exiled to the forest and lives under the care of the sage Valmiki. There she gives birth to her twins and raises them in the forest. When they present themselves before Ram and are acknowledged as his children, Valmiki presents Sita in the assembly.

Once again she is asked to prove her purity!! For the third time!

At this stage, she has had enough and asks mother earth to swallow her and refuses to go through the test.

Are there any temples to Sita?

Yes. One in Yavatmal, Maharashtra in India. One in Janakpur, Nepal and one in Sri Lanka.

The whole Ramayan actually revolves around Sita. And it was amazing to visit the temple in Sri Lanka. It was amazing to hear about the reverence that people there felt for her, from the priest.

I went as a tourist but came back with some lessons.

That for her dignity, she gave up her life.

That it is dignity that must be preserved above all else. Everything else is secondary.

I brought back some fallen leaves from that peepal tree.

They have been press-dried in the black diary I carried on that trip. One leaf I gave to my daughter – so that she may never forget the importance of dignity. One leaf is for my dear friend S – she has been my beacon of dignity.

Though these are just symbolic…they offer psychological power. Even at the age of 60 we need role models!

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Some photos of the temple itself

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jaina mishra / June 2026

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