A lesser known but important aspect of Ram Bhakti at Ayodhya is the 'Sakhi Sampradaye Pratha’. In the month of Sawan, during a fifteen day celebration at various important temples in Ayodhya, men dress up as women and sing and dance to the idols of Rama and Sita, in an effort to merge with him in ‘divinity’, in a communion with Him in feminine form. This ritualistic practice is said to be 300 years old, and the dancers are held in high esteem.