The story of Rama and Sita

A good man, called Rama, was married to a beautiful princess, called Sita.

They had been banished to live in the forest with his brother, Lakshman, by his stepmother, as she wanted her son to be King.

Ravana, the Demon king with ten heads, heard of Sitas beauty and goodness and planned to kidnap her. By magic, he conjured up a golden fawn. She asked Rama to capture it

The demon king disguised himself as an old man and tricked Sita. He kidnapped her and flew away on his chariot back to his island, Lanka.

Rama and Lakshman searched many months for Sita. Finally, they asked Hanuman, king of the monkey army, for help. Hanuman could fly.

He found Sita imprisoned on the island of Lanka. Hanuman, Rama and Lakshman prepared themselves for battle.

This was one of the greatest battles ever seen. The fighting lasted for ten whole days.

It looked as though Ravana was going to win, until Rama borrowed a special bow and arrow from the gods. Rama shot Ravana and the battle was won.

Rama rescued Sita and they decided to go home. As it got dark, the people of the kingdom put out little oil lamps (divas) in their windows to show the way home.

It seemed as though there were more lamps than stars in the sky.

Everyone was happy and Rama and Sita ruled well. Now every year people remember this story at Divali by lighting diva lights inside their homes and fireworks outside.