<Tr> <Th> Abode </Th> <Td> Dandakaranya </Td> </Tr> <P> In the Hindu epic Ramayana, Maricha, or Mareecha (Sanskrit: मारीच, IAST: Mārīca), Indonesian: Marica, Malay: Martanja, Tamil: Marichan, Thai: มา รี จ Mareet) is a rakshasa (demon), who is killed by Rama, the hero of the epic and an avatar of God Vishnu . He is mentioned as an ally of Ravana, the antagonist of the epic . His most notable exploit is his role in the kidnapping of Sita, Rama's wife . His son Kalanemi was killed by Hanuman . </P> <P> Cursed to be a rakshasa along with his mother Tataka and brother Subahu, Maricha initially led his life terrorizing sages . He was defeated by Rama at the behest of the sage Vishvamitra . He tried again to kill Rama, but had to run for his life again . Ultimately, Maricha assumed the form of a golden deer and helped Ravana kidnap Sita . </P> <P> In his previous life, Maricha was a servant of Jaya - Vijaya, the gatekeepers of Vaikuntha, the celestial abode of God Vishnu . Once, displeased by his conduct, Vishnu cursed him to be born on earth as a rakshasa, but to be freed of the curse and returned to Vaikunta, once he is killed by Rama, Vishnu's avatar . </P>

Who transformed himself into a golden deer to lure sita