Maricha

Maricha
Rama chases Maricha as a golden deer
Devanagari	मारीच
Sanskrit transliteration	Mārīca
Affiliation	Rakshasa
Abode	Dandakaranya

In the Hindu epic Ramayana, Maricha, or Mareecha (Sanskrit: मारीच, IAST: Mārīca), Indonesian: Marica, Malay: Martanja, Tamil: Marichan, Thai: มารีจ 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 uncle 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.

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.

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.