Panchavati is a part of the great epic Ramayana where Ravana’s sister Soorpanakha tries to woo Rama and Lakshmana but fails. When she tries to show her wrath, Lakshmana cuts off her nose and she goes complaining to Ravana. To avenge this insult, Ravana orders Maricha to take the form of a golden deer in order to lure Rama away from the hermitage, so that he could kidnap Sita while she was alone at the ashram. Maricha obeys. When Sita sees the golden deer, she asks Rama to get it for her. On her insistence, Rama goes to hunt the deer, and follows it deep into the forest. Maricha cries in Rama’s voice, “O, Lakshmana!!” Sita hears the cry for help and persuades Lakshmana to go and help Rama.

On Sita’s insistence Lakshmana follows the direction of the cry and Sita is left alone in the ashram.

Ravana disguised as a sadhu appears in front of the hut. As soon as Sita crosses the Lakshmana Rekha, Ravana seizes her and takes her away with him on his flying chariot. When Rama and Lakshmana return to the ashram, they find Sita missing. As they hunt for her in the forest, they find Jatayu, who had been fatally wounded while fighting with Ravana and attempting to rescue Sita. He tells them about Ravana carrying Sita off in his aerial chariot. Succumbing to his wounds, the aged Jatayu dies in Rama’s lap and Rama performes his last rites.