In Ramayaṇa, Sri Rama along with Sita and Lakṣmaṇa went on exile on own for the maintaining the dharma/words
of his father. Rama along with them went through many forest regions starting
from crossing Saryu river with help of Guhan, head clanman and a friend of Rama's father Dasaratha. As he traveled he visited many Rishi's Ashrams and met
many rishis and sages including Agastya, Gautama and Bharadvāja. Sri Rama and others rested in Bharadvaja's asrama
when they were crossing Prayag and accepted his offerings as great sages knew
that Sri Rama is incarnation of Maha Viṣṇu, Sitā Devī is goddess Lakṣmi and Lakṣmaṇa is none other than Seṣa Naga. - Wikipedia.
