Ayodhya, Ramnagar, Benares, Vrindavan, Almora, Sattna and Madhubani: where UNESCO places the most representative Ramlilas
Background
In its description of Ramlila, UNESCO states that the most representative Ramlilas are those of Ayodhya, Ramnagar and Benares, Vrindavan, Almora, Sattna and Madhubani.
Ayodhya, Ramnagar, Benares and Vrindavan are all in Uttar Pradesh, which makes the State the heartland of the tradition.
Benares is an older name of the city now called Varanasi, and Ramnagar lies across the Ganges from it.
The performance is a staging of the Ramayana based on the Ramacharitmanas.
Ramlila was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List in 2008.
Places named:
Ayodhya, Ramnagar, Benares, Vrindavan, Almora, Sattna, Madhubani
Inscribed:
2008
Why it matters for exams: Matching an intangible heritage element to the places UNESCO names for it is a standard culture question.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Benares Benares — An older name of the city now called Varanasi.