There are around 350 versions of the Ramayana across different cultures and regions. While they share the same base storyline, the details and interpretations can vary significantly.

The most widely recognized and accepted version is the Valmiki Ramayana, which is considered the authentic or foundational text. Other versions, such as those in Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka, and various regional Indian adaptations, may have slight or major differences in events, characters, and themes, but they all stem from the core narrative of Prince Rama’s life and his battle against the demon king Ravana.