"The forest of Enchantments"

Sita Ji's strength, a guiding light, in 'The Forest of Enchantments,' shining bright.

Have you ever stopped and thought about our Holy book "The Ramayana"?

It usually overlooks Sita Ji's feelings during her hardships, especially the loneliness she must have experienced in the forests after Ravan Ji kidnapped her.

Why? Why don't we ever hear about the tribulations of the hardships that she encountered in those woods? Is it because she was a woman and her emotions were mere words to the world, or is it that she never had a chance to utter her sentiments afterwards, because everybody was busy debating her sanity?

The fiction Book "The Forests of Enchantment" by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni simply shows Sita Ji's viewpoint from the very beginning till the end, providing her with a voice that had never been expressed.

In "The Forests of Enchantment," Sita Ji's voice is clearly visible and converts her from an ordinary victim to a strong lady with dreams and desires.

This can easily be connected to women today, who are also stepping up and finding their voices in a world that often tries to silence them. Just like Sita ji, women today are also being questioned at every step of their life whether it is from the society or their own family, but it has never stopped them from climbing the ladder of success.

It becomes a resilient power movement as they express their stories and claim their rights. Sita ji's story is one such awakening, reminding the world that every woman has a story to tell and, together, they can bring a change.

Divakaruni's writing seems like a film that we see while turning the pages or perhaps we are painting an excellent picture of the forests around Sita ji as she undergoes her own trials (THE AGNI PARIKSHA). The themes of love, sacrifice, and resilience are demonstrated through the lines of the writer, showing the story of Sita ji often lost in other traditional stories.

Some of the highlighted moments include her one of a kind and magical connection with nature, where the forest becomes a friend or something to rely on during times of loneliness. Also, the bonds that she forms with other women in the forest remind us of the incredible strength found in sisterhood, which is very important for women today. 

Overall, Divakaruni wrote a gripping tale that not only breathes life into Sita ji's journey but also encourages readers to reflect upon their own battles and triumphs.

✒️.... Pragati Sharma