Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh (India, of course!) is the birthplace of Lord Rishabh Dev (Sri Adinath), the first Tirthankara, teacher of Jainism. He travelled and taught, and continues to inspire, though millenia may have passed since he left his body at Kailas Mansarovar. He was born much before Sri Ram of the Hindu tradition.
Excerpts from Shiva’s praise of Rama in Uttarakand of Sri Ram Charit Manas by Goswami Tulsidas: जय राम रमारमनं शमनं, भव ताप भयाकुल पाहि जनं। महि मंडल मंडन चारुतरं। धृत सायक चाप निसंग बरं।
At Kanak Bhawan, the worship of Sita Ram is akin to that of Sri Radha Krishna in Vrindavan. Madhurabhakti is evident in festive celebrations, songs and the bhaav of pleasing the divine. Phool Banglas are an offering of love to please the divine couple, and shield them from the North Indian summer heat.
Chitakoot, a city shared by Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, is still untouched by touristy crowds. A quiet getaway, with enough happening locally to interest a curious visitor. Ram ghat, especially under the clear summer sky was a favoured place by mendicants for sleeping. Much before it was daybreak, most of them were up for a dip in the River Mandakini, and some had settled down for meditation as well!