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The story of Ramayana has held the attention of Hindus over the centuries, and the moral lessons it contains have had a deep and lasting effect. It remains one of the most popular tales of moral perfection in Hinduism. There have been many translations, numerous films, and a television series of the epic. It is claimed that great religious merit comes from watching or listening to the Ramayana. Both the Ramayana and the Mahabharata form the basis of stories told through the Kathakali dance drama of south India. 

The heroes of both these epics are also famous in Southeast Asia, especially in Balinese and Javanese theatre and dance. Indian sculpture and paintings portray episodes from the epics. In north India, people celebrate the annual festival of Ram-Lila, when the story of Rama's adventures is told in towns and villages to the delight of young and old. In north India, the romantic story of Rama and Sita emphasizes the inevitable triumph of good over evil, of light over darkness. That is why Rama's victorious return to Ayodhya has become associated with Diwali, the annual Festival of Lights. 

Although the goddess Lakshmi is the most important deity associated with this event, the epic is celebrated in spectacular fashion as Hindu homes, temples, and public buildings are lit with thousands of lamps. Throughout the period of Muslim rule in north India, the Ramayana remained a very popular theme in art, literature, drama, and music. Both the Ramayana and the Mahabharata were translated into Persian and splendidly illustrated at the Mughal court. Throughout most of the Ramayana, Rama is portrayed as a human king. But according to later additions to the first and last books of the epic, he became the god Vishnu in human form. As a result, Hindus now worship him and his queen Sita, as gods. They also worship Hanuman.