In ancient times, woodlands full of Aśoka (Adoka) trees were generally known as Aśokavana.
In Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana), it is said that Yayāti (Yayati) kept Śarmiṣṭhā (Sarmishtha) as a maid of his wife Devayāni (Devayani), in a residence inside the Aśoka forest.
Again, in Matsyapurāṇa, in the context of building Tripuradurga for the Asura(s) (demons), by Mayadānava, there is a mention of some Aśokavana.
Another Aśokavana is found near Kapiñjala (Kapinjala) and Nāgaśaila (Nagasaila).
Rāvaṇa asked the Ceḍī(s) to persuade Sītā to come under the thrall of Rāvaṇa, by showing fear or any means.
In Sundarakāṇḍa, this Aśokavana of Rāvaṇa has been mentioned as a beautiful place – aśokavanikā ceyaṃ dṛḍam ramyā durātmanaḥ. Hanumān, while searching for Sītā in Laṅkā, entered the aśokavana, filled with Chandana (sandalwood), Champaka and many other trees. There was a beautiful lake inside the grove, and a series of beautiful buildings, made by Viśvakarmā, around it. The entire region was filled up with the songs of birds. Hanumān found Sītā inside a place decorated with beautiful creepers and flowers. In Rāmāyaṇa , Aśokavana is compared to Nandanakānana , sometimes with Caitrarathavana, in terms of beauty. The gateway of this grove was made of gold.
Hanumān wanted to destroy this Aśokavana, so that the king of Laṅkā would send his soldiers to attack him, and he, in turn, would find an opportunity to destroy them. With this purpose, Hanumān started ruining the grove with great enthusiasm.