The king of Kekaya, father of Kaikeyi and maternal grandfather of Bharata.
Accounts of this vary across texts and traditions. This entry primarily follows Valmiki Ramayana, with other tellings (Ramcharitmanas (Tulsidas), Regional and folk traditions) noted where relevant.
Ashvapati is the king of Kekaya and the father of Kaikeyi. Bharata and Shatrughna were staying at his court when Dasharatha died.
Bharata was visiting Ashvapati and his son Yudhajit when the messengers of Vasishtha called him back to Ayodhya. Kekaya lay in the north-west, beyond the Punjab.
This entry is independently written for myVamsam using the sources listed above. Where traditions differ, this entry identifies the relevant tradition rather than presenting one account as universally established fact.