Characters in the Ramayana

Rama (; , , ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the seventh and one of the most popular avatars of Vishnu. In Rama-centric Hindu traditions, he is considered the Supreme Being. Also considered as the ideal man (maryāda puruṣottama), Rama is the male protagonist of the Hindu epic Ramayana. His birth is celebrated every year on Rama Navami, which falls on the ninth day of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the lunar cycle of Chaitra (March–April), the first month in the Hindu calendar.

Hanuman (; , ), also known as Maruti, Bajrangabali, and Anjaneya, is a deity in Hinduism, revered as a divine vanara, and a devoted companion of the deity Rama. Central to the Ramayana, Hanuman is celebrated for his unwavering devotion to Rama and is considered a chiranjivi. He is traditionally believed to be the spiritual offspring of the wind deity Vayu, who is said to have played a significant role in his birth. In Shaiva tradition, he is regarded as an incarnation of Shiva, while in most of the Vaishnava traditions he is the son and incarnation of Vayu. His tales are recounted not only in

Garuda (; ) is a Hindu deity who is primarily depicted as the mount (vahana) of the Hindu god Vishnu. This divine creature is mentioned in the Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain faiths. Garuda is also the half-brother of the Devas, Gandharvas, Daityas, Danavas, Nāgas, Vanara and Yakshas. He is the son of the sage Kashyapa and Vinata. He is the younger brother of Aruna, the charioteer of the Sun. Garuda is mentioned in several other texts such as the Puranas and the Vedas.

Sita (; ), also known as Siya, Jānaki and Maithili, is a Hindu goddess and the female protagonist of the Hindu epic Ramayana. Sita is the consort of Rama, the avatar of god Vishnu, and is regarded as an avatar of goddess Lakshmi. She is the chief goddess of the Ramanandi Sampradaya and is the goddess of beauty and devotion. Sita's birthday is celebrated every year on the occasion of Sita Navami.

Ravana () is the principal antagonist of the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana and its several other versions. He is traditionally depicted as a ten-headed rakshasa (demon) king of Lanka (present-day Sri Lanka). In the Ramayana, Ravana is described as the eldest son of sage Vishrava and Kaikasi. He abducted Rama's wife, Sita, and took her to his kingdom of Lanka, where he held her in the Ashoka Vatika. Rama, with the support of vanara King Sugriva and his army of vanaras, launched a rescue operation for Sita against Ravana in Lanka. Ravana was subsequently slain, and Rama rescued his beloved wife Si

Kubera (, ) also known as Kuvera, Kuber and Kuberan, is the god of wealth, and the god-king of the semi-divine yakshas in Hinduism. He is regarded as the regent of the north (Dikpala), and a protector of the world (Lokapala). His many epithets extol him as the overlord of numerous semi-divine species, and the owner of the treasures of the world. Kubera is often depicted with a plump body, adorned with jewels, and carrying a money-pot and a club.

Lakshmana (, ), also known as Laxmana, Lakhan, Saumitra, and Ramanuja, is the younger brother of Rama in the Hindu epic Ramayana. He is considered as an incarnation of Shesha, the lord of serpents. Lakshmana was married to Urmila, and is known for his loyalty and dedication towards Rama.

Vasishtha (, ) is one of the oldest and revered Vedic rishis or sages, and one of the Saptarishis (seven great Rishis). Vasishtha is credited as the chief author of Mandala 7 of the Rigveda. Vasishtha and his family are mentioned in Rigvedic verse 10.167.4, other Rigvedic mandalas and in many Vedic texts. His ideas have been influential and he was called the first sage of the Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy by Adi Shankara.

In Hindu mythology, Ahalya (, IAST: Ahalyā) also spelt as Ahilya, is the wife of the sage Gautama Maharishi. Many Hindu scriptures describe her legend of seduction by the king of the gods Indra, her husband's curse for her infidelity, and her liberation from the curse by the god Rama.

Dasharatha (, IAST: Daśaratha; born Nemi) was the king of Kosala, with its capital at Ayodhya, in the Hindu epic Ramayana. Dasharatha married Kausalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi. He was the father of Rama, the protagonist of the epic Ramayana, Bharata, Lakshmana, and Shatrughna. Dasharatha also finds mention in the Vishnu Purana.

Jatayu (, ) is a demigod in the Hindu epic Ramayana, who has the form of a vulture. He was the younger son of Aruṇa and his wife Shyeni the brother of Sampati, as well as the nephew of Garuda. He was also an old friend of King Dasharatha, Rama's father.

Vedic sage

Rama's brother

Menaka ( ) is a prominent apsara (celestial nymph) in Hindu mythology, celebrated as one of the most beautiful dancers in the court of Indra, the king of the gods. She is often portrayed as an archetypal seductress, frequently dispatched by the gods to disrupt the penance of sages whose growing spiritual power threatens the celestial order.

Kumbhakarna (Sanskrit: कुम्भकर्ण, lit. pot-eared) is a powerful rakshasa and younger brother of Ravana from the Hindu epic Ramayana. Despite his gigantic size and appetite, he is described as a virtuous character and a great warrior in Hindu texts. He is said to have slaughtered 8,000 vanaras over the course of Rama's mission to rescue Sita.

Sumitra (, IAST: Sumitrā) is a princess of Kashi and the queen of Kosala in the Hindu epic Ramayana. Sumitra is the second queen consort of Dasharatha, the king of Kosala, who ruled from Ayodhya. Regarded to be a wise and dedicated woman, she is the mother of the twins Lakshmana and Shatrughna.

Kaikeyi,(Sanskrit: कैकेयी, IAST: Kaikeyī) is a princess of Kekeya and the queen of Kosala in the Hindu epic Ramayana. Kaikeyi is the third and favourite consort of King Dasharatha, who ruled Kosala from its capital, Ayodhya. She is the mother of Bharata.

Kaushalya (, ) is a queen of Kosala in the Hindu epic Ramayana. She is the first senior queen consort of Dasharatha, who ruled Kosala from its capital Ayodhya. She is the mother of Rama, the male protagonist of the epic. She is a secondary character in the Ramayana, so only aspects of her life are described in detail.

Meghanada (, ), also referred to by his epithet Indrajit or Indrajeet (), according to Hindu texts, was the eldest son of Ravana and the crown prince of Lanka, who conquered Indraloka (Heaven). He is regarded as one of the greatest warriors in Hindu texts. He is a major character mentioned in the Indian epic Ramayana. Meghanada is the central character in Bengali epic poem Meghnad Badh Kavya. He played an active role in the great war between Rama and Ravana. He acquired many kinds of celestial weapons from his Guru Shukra. His most prominent feat is having defeated the devas in heaven. Using t

Janaka (, IAST: Janaka) was the King of Videha, who ruled from its capital, Mithila, in the Hindu itihasa Ramayana. Janaka was married to Sunayana. He is the father of Sita and Urmila in the epic. The term Janaka was also the title adopted by all the kings of Videha, who were the descendants of the King Nimi and his son King Mithi. The King Mithi is considered the first King of Videha who was titled with the term Janaka.

Vibhishana () is the younger brother of Ravana, the King of Lanka, in the ancient Indian epic Ramayana, and one of the eight Chiranjivis. Though a rakshasa himself, Vibhishana turned his back on Ravana, and defected to Rama's side, owing to his dharma. After Rama defeated Ravana, the former crowned Prince Vibhishana as the King of Lanka before returning to Ayodhya. thumb|Vibhishana (left) shows the Pushpaka Vimana to Rama and Lakshmana

Manthara (; lit: "humpbacked") is a character in the Hindu epic Ramayana. In the epic, she is described to have convinced Queen Kaikeyi that the throne of Ayodhya belonged to her son Bharata and that her step-son—crown-prince Rama (the protagonist of the Ramayana)—should be exiled from the kingdom. She is portrayed as a mother-figure to Kaikeyi and her twin Yudhajit, following the banishment of their mother. She accompanied Kaikeyi to Ayodhya after her marriage to Dasharatha.

Anasuya () is an ascetic, and the wife of Sage Atri in Hinduism. She is the daughter of Devahuti and the Prajapati Kardama in Hindu texts. In the Ramayana, she lives with her husband in a small hermitage on the southern border of the Chitrakuta forest. A pious woman who leads an austere life, she is described as having miraculous powers.

androgyne in Hindu mythology

Jambavan (, ), also known as Jambavanta (, ), is the king of the bears in Hindu texts.

Sampati (; IAST: '''') is a demigod in Hinduism. He is the elder son of Aruna, and the elder brother of Jatayu. He has the form of either a vulture or an eagle. Sampati lost his wings when he was young. According to the Brahma Purana, Sampati has a swift and well-known son Babhru.

person in Hindu mythology

Hindu deity, son of Sita

Shatrughna (, ), also known as Ripudaman, is the younger brother of Rama, and King of Madhupuri and Vidisha, in the Hindu epic Ramayana. He is considered as an incarnation of the Sudarshana Chakra of god Vishnu, and was married to Shrutakirti.

apsara in Hindu mythology

Urmila (), is a Hindu goddess and the princess of Videha in the Hindu epic Ramayana. She is considered to be an avatāra of Nagalakshmi, the serpent goddess. Urmila was married to Lakshmana and is known for her dedication towards her husband, for her sacrifice.

child of Sita

Queen of Kiṣkindhā and wife of the monkey (vānara) King Vālī

Ikshvaku (Sanskrit ; Pāli: ) is a legendary king in Indian religions, particularly Hindu and Jain scriptures. In Hinduism, he is described to be the first king of the Kosala Kingdom, and was one of the ten sons of Shraddhadeva Manu, the first man of the Shraddhadeva Manvantara (7th of the 14 in this Kalpa). He was the founder and first king of the Ikshvaku dynasty, also known as the Suryavamsha, in the kingdom of Kosala, which also historically existed in ancient India. He had a hundred sons, among whom the eldest was Vikukshi. Another son of Ikshvaku's, named Nimi, founded the Kingdom of the

Vishrava (, ), also called Vishravas, is the son of Pulastya, and a powerful rishi (sage), as described in the Hindu epic Ramayana. A scholar par excellence, he earned great powers through the performance of tapasya, which in turn, earned him great name and fame amongst his fellow rishis. He is best known for being the father of the primary antagonist of the Ramayana, Ravana.

Mandavi () is a princess of Videha in the Hindu epic Ramayana. She is the wife of Bharata and is considered an incarnation of the conch shell of goddess Lakshmi. Mandavi is known for her sacrifice and perseverance.

Vedavati (Sanskrit: वेदवती, IAST: Vedavatī) is the previous birth of the goddess Sita in Hinduism. She is an avatar of the mother goddess Lakshmi.

Shrutakirti () is a princess of Videha, in the Hindu epic Ramayana. She is the wife of Shatrughna and is considered an incarnation of the discus of goddess Lakshmi. Shrutakirti is known for her foresight and dedication.

Atikaya () is the son of Ravana and his wife Dhanyamalini in the Hindu epic Ramayana.

Surasa also Siras is a Hindu goddess, who is described as the mother of the Uragas (primordial reptilians). Her most popular tale appears in the Hindu epic Ramayana, where she is tasked to test the god Hanuman on his way to Lanka.

Akṣayakumāra () was the youngest son of Ravana and the brother of Meghanada. In the Ramayana, when Hanuman started destroying Ashoka Vatika after a conversation with Sita, Ravana sent him to the head of a Rakshasa army to take care of it. A warrior of just sixteen, he left for battle in his chariot. He fought with Hanuman, aiming various weapons at him. Though highly impressed by the young prince's valor and skills, Hanuman killed and blessed his life.

Suvannamaccha (; ; , ALA-LC: Suvaṇṇmacchā; , ; literally "golden fish") is a daughter of Ravana (Thotsakan) appearing in the Thailand and other Southeast Asian versions of Ramayana. She is a mermaid princess who tries to spoil Hanuman's plans to build a bridge to Lanka but falls in love with him instead.

illusionary duplicate of Sita

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thumb|Rama-and-Laksmana-confront-the-demons-Marica-and-Subahu

King of Haihayas kingdom

In Hindu texts, Ambarisha (, ) is a Ikshvaku king, this is Suryavamsha (solar dynasty) in which Lord Ram also appeared. Ambarisha was the son of Mandhata of Mathura. He is known to have conquered the whole world in a week. He lived during the Treta Yuga, the second of the four cyclic period. Ambarish is famous for engaging all of his senses in the service of the Lord with rapt Bhakti (loving devotion) according to the Srimad Bhagavatam.

In the Hindu epic, the Ramayana, Prahasta (Sanskrit: प्रहस्त, IAST: prahasta, lit. he who has extended hands) was a powerful rakshasa warrior. He was the chief commander of Ravana's army of Lanka. He was the son of Sumali and Ketumathi. In Ramcharitmanas, he was Ravana's and Mandodari's virtuous son who withdraws from the war. In his next birth, Prahasta was reborn as Purochana in the Mahabharata as Duryodhana's trusted aide and was the man responsible for the Lakshagraha incident.

38th king in the Solar Dynasty

Simhika () is a rakshasi in Hinduism. She appears in the Ramayana, as a foe of the Vanara, Hanuman, by whom she is slain.

Tumburu () is the foremost among the gandharvas, the celestial musicians of Hindu mythology. Accounts depict him performing in the courts of the deities Kubera and Indra, and as singing the praises of Vishnu. He is said to lead the gandharvas in their singing.

Kushadhvaja ( IAST: Kuśadhvaja) is the King of Samkasya and the younger brother of Janaka, the King of Mithila, in the Hindu epic Ramayana. He was married to Chandrabhaga and is the father of Mandavi and Shrutakirti.

Wife of Indrajit

Rumā () is the queen of Kishkindha mentioned in the epic Ramayana. She is the wife of King Sugrīva, who ruled over the vanara kingdom of Kishkindha.

Kalmashapada (), also known as Saudasa (), Mitrasaha (), and Amitrasaha () is a king of the Ikshvaku dynasty (the Solar dynasty) In Hindu scriptures, who was cursed to be a rakshasa (demon) by the sage Shakti. He is described as an ancestor of Rama, the avatar of the god Vishnu and the hero of the Hindu epic Ramayana.

Makaradhwaja (or Magardhwaja) is the son of Hindu god Hanuman who is born out of his sweat. Makaradhwaja has appearance in various regional versions of the Ramayana. There are many unmatching accounts of his birth, however all of them mentions him being born to a Makara (or Magara) after Hanuman took a dip into the ocean and his sweat drop fell into the mouth of the Makara, impregnating her. Makara begets Makaradhwaja who was later raised by the Ahiravana, a demon king who ruled Patala who was one of Ravana’s son. When he grew up, Ahiravana, seeing Makaradhwaja's strength and virility, gave hi

Shanta (), is the princess of Anga in the Hindu epic Ramayana. She is the wife of Rishyasringa. In northern recensions of the epic and later Indian literature, she is regarded as a daughter of King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya, who was later adopted by King Romapada and Queen Vershini.

Maṇibhadra (Sanskrit: ) is one of the major yakshas. He was a popular deity in ancient India.

Lavana () is an asura in Hinduism. He is slain by Shatrughna, the youngest brother of Rama, in the Hindu epic Ramayana.

Ashvapati or Aśvapati () is the appellation of many kings in Hindu mythology. It means 'Lord of horses.' It was an appellation comparable to that of the knight or Ritter in Europe. According to Ramayana, Ashvapati was king of Kekeya Kingdom the land of fine horses. He was father of one daughter, Kaikeyi (a queen of King Dasharatha), and seven sons. His son Yudhajeet played an important role in Ramayana. Ashvapati performed a journey in search of an answer to the imperative need of human race.