Sure enough, when Ram heard from Hanuman where Sita was, he and Lakshman marched at once towards Lanka, with their army of monkeys and bears. They were joined by Vibhishan, himself a demon and the brother of Ravan, but who felt that Ravan had done wrong in carrying off Sita.

With Vibhishan's advice and the help of their army, Ram and Lakshman killed hundreds of Ravan's demons. Ram himself killed Kumbhakaran, Ravan's fearsome brother who could gobble up entire armies in a mouthful. Lakshman killed Indrajit, Ravan's son who had the ability to turn invisible, and had never been defeated by anyone in battle before.

Now only Ravan remained. The battle between Ram and Ravan raged for ten days, with neither winning. Finally Ram used a special arrow given to him by the gods - and shot Ravan in the breast. This was the end of Ravan.

Ram and Sita were reunited. By now their 14 years of exile were over, and they decided to return to Ayodhya. Hanuman went ahead and gave Bharat the good news. The entire kingdom of Kosala celebrated the return of Ram, Sita and Lakshman. Ayodhya was decorated with flowers and lamps. Ram was crowned king of Ayodhya, and Sita his queen. Ram ruled for many many years. He was a good and great king.

More than five thousand years later, Ram is still remembered in India where he is worshipped as a god. His return to Ayodhya with Sita, and his coronation as king, is celebrated on Diwali, one of the most important festivals in India. All over the country, lamps are lit, and homes, shops, offices, streets are decorated and fireworks set off in his honour, in much the same way as was done in Ayodhya all those thousands of years ago. Diwali day is a holiday all over India, with schools, colleges and most offices and shops closed in celebration.

Diwali Stories 

Ram, Prince of Kosala
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Kali Destroys Evil

See also:   Lav and Kush, the Royal Twins and Durga Puja