Rama Returns to Ayodhya and Is Consecrated King
After the gods depart and Sita is vindicated, Rama arranges Lanka's protection, crosses the bridge, and begins the journey home. He installs Angada as heir in Kishkindha, sends Hanuman ahead to Bharata, and arrives at Nandigrama to find his brother still living in bark garments with Rama's sandals before him.
Shakra's charioteer, Matali, was delighted to see Rama united with Janaki. He spoke in the midst of the well-wishers: "You have removed the misery of the gods, the gandharvas, the yakshas, men, asuras and serpents. All the worlds will speak of your deeds as long as the earth exists." Then he took his leave, honoured Rama, and departed in the chariot that was as resplendent as the sun.
With Sita at the forefront, together with Soumitri, together with all the monkeys led by Sugriva, Rama arranged for the protection of Lanka. Then, with Vibhishana leading the way, he crossed the bridge over the abode of sharks.
He used the Pushpaka vimana, the celestial chariot that travelled through the sky and could go wherever it willed. He stayed for a while on the shores of the ocean, where he had slept earlier. When the time was right, he assembled the monkeys, honoured them with gems, and gave them leave to depart.
When the chiefs among monkeys and the bears had left, Rama returned to Kishkindha with Sugriva. From the Pushpaka vimana, with Vibhishana following and Sugriva beside him, he showed Vaidehi the forest. At Kishkindha, he installed Angada, who had accomplished his appointed tasks, as the heir apparent.
Then, together with them and with Soumitri, Rama followed the same road towards his city.
He sent Hanuman ahead as a messenger to Bharata. Hanuman observed the signs and told Bharata all the pleasant news. When Vayu's son returned, Rama went to Nandigrama.
He saw Bharata there — his limbs covered with dirt, attired in garments made of bark, seated on his seat with Rama's sandals before him.
They were reunited. Bharata and Shatrughna were delighted to see their elder and to see Vaidehi. Bharata had held the kingdom as an honoured trust, and he was extremely happy to return it to the one who had come back.
On an auspicious day, under the nakshatra Vaishnava, Vasishtha and Vamadeva consecrated Rama as king.
Having been consecrated, Rama granted leave to his well-wishers to depart for their homes — Sugriva, foremost among monkeys, and Vibhishana, the son of Pulastya. He honoured them with all kinds of jewels, and they were extremely happy and rejoiced. Having done his duty, he unhappily gave them permission to go.
He showed homage to the Pushpaka vimana and returned it to Vaishravana (Kubera). Then, assisted by the devarshis, he performed ten horse sacrifices on the banks of the Gomati, without any obstructions, where three times the normal stipends were given. Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 572