Ram Tirath Temple

Ram Tirath, officially Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal, lies near Amritsar and is believed to be the site of the ashram of the sage Valmiki. Tradition holds that Sita lived here during her exile and gave birth to the twins Luv and Kush, whom Valmiki raised. The centre of the rebuilt complex is a gold-plated image of the sage about 8 feet tall and weighing some 800 kg.

Recent renovation added gateways at both ends, a circuit path with a bridge, and two huts, one for Valmiki and one marking where Sita is said to have given birth. The large sarovar is believed to have been dug by Hanuman, and many pilgrims bathe in it on the full moon. The site also has a hall for about 5,000 devotees, a Sanskrit library, a museum and a multi-level car park. A four-day Ram Tirath fair is held each November.