Rama and Sita, a married princess, were banished to the forest by Rama's stepmother. The demon king Ravana kidnapped Sita for her beauty. Rama and his brother Lakshman searched for months with the help of the monkey king Hanuman. They found Sita imprisoned on Lanka and prepared for battle against Ravana. After a 10 day battle where Ravana seemed to gain the upper hand, Rama used a special bow and arrow from the gods to defeat Ravana and rescue Sita. They returned home where the people celebrated with lamps, now commemorated as Diwali.

1. The story of Rama and Sita

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

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

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

5. 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.

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

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

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

9. 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.

11. 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.