Sita

The female protagonist of the Hindu epic Ramayana is the goddess Sita. She is seen as a variation of Vishnu's consort, Lakshmi, and is the spouse of Rama, the god Vishnu's incarnation. She is also the main deity in Hindu religions that emphasize Rama. Sita is renowned for her commitment, selflessness, bravery, and purity. She is one of Nepal's 17 Rastriya Bibhuti, or national heroes.

Sita is raised as King Janaka of Videha's adopted daughter while being referred to as the daughter of Bhmi (the earth). In her youth, Sita chooses to wed Rama, the prince of Ayodhya, in a swayamvara. She follows her husband to his kingdom after the swayamvara, but subsequently decides to go with him and her brother-in-law Lakshmana when he is exiled. She is taken hostage by Ravana, the Rakshasa king of Lanka, while the group is in exile and living in the Dandaka forest. She is held captive in Lanka's Ashoka Vatika garden till Rama frees her and kills her kidnapper. In certain versions of the story, Rama requires Sita to go through an ordeal of fire called Agni Pariksha to demonstrate her purity before he can accept her, which for the first time infuriates Rama's brother Lakshmana.