Sita is the Hindu Divine Goddess who was part of the group called Panchakanya. She is mentioned in the Ramayana and other versions of the epic as the central figure and female character. Sita is also described as daughter of the earth goddess, Prithvi or Bhumi.
Sita is venerated during festivals like Janaki Jayanti, Sita Navami, Diwali, Vivaha Panchami and Dussehra. Born in Mithila, she is considered an adopted daughter of Sunaina (mother) and Janaka (father). Mandavi, Urmila (sister) and Shrutakirti (cousins) include her siblings. Her husband is Rama and together they had two sons, Lava and Kusha.
Sita is known well for her purity, courage, self sacrifice and dedication. She selected the prince of Ayodhya, Rama in a swayamvara in which Rama defeats other marriage seekers by proving his martial power, valor and heroism. She goes to exile for 14 years with her husband and his brother Lakshmana. Ravana, the demon king of Lanka, abducts and imprisons her in Ashoka Vatika in Lanka. Rama kills Ravana and rescues her.
However to prove her purity and to be accepted by Rama, she undergoes a fire ordeal called Agni Pariksha which makes Lakshmana angry for the first time with Rama. When she proves her purity, she returns to Ayodhya with Rama where both were crowned as queen and king. Yielding to rumours, Rama banishes her from the palace. She gives birth to her two sons Lava and Kusha near the ashram of Sage Valmiki in the forests, where she was sent by Rama on exile. Sita returns to her mother Earth’s womb years later, as part of testimony of her purity and releasing herself from the cruel world. Later she unites her sons with Rama their father.
