Ayodhya - Rama Janma Bhoomi

Ayodhya:-

Ayodhya was a magnificent and holy city of ancient India that was the capital of Hindu kingdom of Kosala. The city of Ayodhya is known for being the court of King Dasharatha, who was the father of Lord Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Valmiki is believed to have begun writing the famous devotional poem Valmiki Ramayana here itself. Ayodhya also holds important position among Jain religion as it is the birth place of two important Jain tirthankaras. The city later came under the rule of Gupta empire and also got influenced with Buddhism, with various Buddhist temples being built here. Ayodhya later came under the rule of Mughal empire, slowly losing strategic importance to Lucknow and Kanpur.

Thiru Ayodhi/Ayodhya/Mokshapuri/Mukthi Kshetram/Ram Janmaboomi is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu located in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. This is one of 108 Divya Desam. Birth place of Lord Sri Rama. Ayodhya is situated on the bank of River Sarayu. This place is 7 kms from Faizabad. This is a popular pilgrimage centre. The ancient city of Ayodhya according to Ramayana was founded by Manu. This is one of the seven sacred cities. According to Purana. Ayodha is famous for its close association of Ramayana. It’s a city full of sacred temples and historical significance. Atharvana Veda describes Ayodhya as “a city built by Gods and being prosperous as Paradise itself”. Various faiths have grown and prospered simultaneously in different periods. Jains consider that 5 tirthankars were born in Ayodhya and the first Tirthankar Rishabadev is one amoung them.

Legend:-

Ayodhya is located on the right bank of the river Sarayu, 6 km from Faizabad. This town is closely associated with Rama, Seventh incarnation of Vishnu. According to the Ramayana, the city is 9,000 years old, and was founded by Manu, the first man in the Vedas, and law-giver of the Hindus. Other sources hold that it was founded by its namesake, King Ayudh. For centuries, it was the capital for the Surya dynasty, of which Lord Rama was the most celebrated king. At the time it was known as Kaushaldesa.

Skanda and other puranas list Ayodhya as one of the seven most sacred cities of India, as it has been the backdrop for much of Hindu scripture. Today it is predominantly a religious destination with its historical significance and sacred temples. The Atharvaveda described Ayodhya as "a city built by God and being prosperous as paradise itself."

Its first ruling king was Ikshvaku, of the solar clan Suryavansa and eldest son of Vaivasvata Manu. The sixth king of this line, Prithu, is linguistically the etymology of earth, or `Prithivi’. Mandhatri was a later king of the region, and the 31st king of his descent was Harischandra, known for his truthfulness, or Sathya-sandhata. His lineeage was Surya Vamsa and, in turn known for their honesty as rulers. Raja Sagar of the same clan performed the Asvamedha Yajna, and mythology holds that his great-grandson Bhagiratha brought the river Ganges to the earth through penance. Later came the great King Raghu, after whom the dynasty was called Raghuvamsa. His grandson was Raja Dasaratha, of the Kausala dynasty, and father of Rama.

Ayodhya is a city of worship. Several religions have prospered simultaneously as well as at different periods of time, and elements of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Islam can be found in the city. In Jainism, for example, five Tirthankaras were born here, including Adinath, first Tirthankar,Ajitnath, second Tirthankar,Abhinandanath (fourth Tirthankar), Sumatinath, fifth Tirthankar, and Anantnath, fourteenth Tirthankar. Ayodhya demonstrates Ganga-Jamuni culture in the Hanumangarhi temple, built by Nawab of Awadh. Sundar Bhavan, a temple of Rama, had a devoted caretaker, Munne Mian, who looked after it for fifty years until his death in 2004. According to Jain Agams, it is the second eternal city after Shikharji, and will never vanish or disappear during the changing epochs.

Sri Ram Janma bhoomi:-

 This is the main place of worship in Ayodhya. This is the site of the ancient citadel of Ramkot which stands on the elevated ground in the western part of the city. Lot of checking is there. We are not allowed to take anything inside. One has to walk a lot to reach the main place. They have kept the idol of Seetha Sri Rama and Lakshmana. It is so far we hardly get to see clearly and has to imagine and feel happy. We have the darshan of Hanuman to the side
This is the place where the work is going on for the construction of Sri Rama mandir. There is a model of the temple is exhibited. Pillars with carvings, designed ceiling material, doors and all the designed stones to the sides of the walls are ready.

Ancient Administration of Ayodhya:-

This mythological story is not altogether a figment of imagination. The fact of Manu`s being the first known king of India with Ayodhya as his capital is corroborated by the Indian Puranas, the Mahabharata and the Arthashastra of Kautilya. Manu Vaivasvata is said to be the originator of the human race, and all the dynasties mentioned in the Puranas spring from him. Ikshvaku, the eldest of Manu`s nine sons was the first king of Ayodhya and got from his father the kingdom of the Madhyadesa as his share. He was the founder of the solar dynasty which comprises the three lines of Ayodhya, Videha, and Vaishala and the Saryatas.

Mandhatri, son of Yuvanashva, of the Ikshavaku family was a famous king of Ayodhya. He ascended the throne after nineteen generations from Ikshvaku. The account of his birth from the left rib of his father as a result of his drinking the holy sacrificial water intended for his queen, and his being called Mandhatri because of what Indra said at the prince`s birth, invented evidently to explain his name, is a late fabrication fashioned with great ingenuity. Mandhatri is said to have obtained half the throne of India and conquered the whole earth in one day, According to the Puranic accounts Mandhatri was a great Chakravartin, and a samrat. He was considered the fifth avatara (incarnation) of Vishnu. He was a great sacrificer and is said to have performed a hundred Ashvamedha yajnas in Rajasthan.

After the rise of the realm to great heights in the reigns of Mandhatri, Purukutsa and Trasadasyu, the empire appears to have remained, if at all, merely in name, and we do not meet with any important king till we come to Trayyaruna, Satyavrata-Trisanku and Harishchandra. Trishanku is the subject of numerous fantastic tales in the Puranas. Trishanku was succeeded by Harishchandra, the embodiment of truth. He was a samrat and is said to have performed Rajasuya. The story of Harishchandra, whose truthfulness was put to very severe tests by Vishwamitra, is well-known. Sixth in descent from Harishchandra was Bahu. Sagara, so named because he was born with the poison which his step-mother administered to his mother, was born posthumously to Bahu in the hermitage of the sage Aurva. Sagara subjugated all contemporary powers and was the emperor of the whole of the North.

Aja and Dasaratha are some of the most famous king`s who preceded the age of Lord Rama. Dasaratha, the father of Rama, was a valiant and all-conquering monarch who led his victorious campaigns throughout the length and breadth of Northern India, and spread the Aryan culture far and wide. The story of Rama is particularly important in Ayodhya as it brings south India definitely into view for the first time.

Religion of Ayodhya:-

Ayodhya had primarily been a Hindu city. But religions like Buddhism and Jainism had also flourished in the city with great gutso. Ayodhya had also become a great centre of Vaishnavism. It was one of the nine `Yantras`-places selected for the propagation of the Ramanuja`s philosophy of Vishistadwaita and thus counteracting the growing influence of Islam. Ramananda, a famous disciple of Ramanuja School of philosophy, was closely associated with Ayodhya.

Parikramas:-

Circumbulation of important religious places is also an important religious ceremony being followed by the devotees as a regular practice. It involves paying homage to different deities in many temples that one covers in the parikrama. These circumbulations are of varying durations. Some of them are described below-

(A) Antargrahi Parikrama:-

It is completed in one day, the devotees begin it after the holy dip in Saryu from Nageshwarnath temple then going through Ramghat, Sita kund, Mani Parvat, Brahma Kund & reaching Kanak Bhawan as its final destination.

(B) Panchkoshi:-

 16 km of distance is covered in this parikrama which starts from 11th day of Kartik month. It covers Chakrathirtha ghat, Naya ghat, Ram ghat, Dashrath Kund, Jogiana, Ranopali, Jalpanala, Mahatag bagh.

(C) Chaudah Koshi Parikrama:-

 covers the religious shrines situated both in Ayodhya & Faizabad, a distance of 45 km, normally held on Akshay Navami & completed in within 24hours.

(D) Chaurasi Koshi Parikrama:-

 starts on Ramnavami that falls in the Chaitra month of Hindu calendar.

Festivals & fairs:-
That continue to occupy the whole year are an important hallmark of Ayodhya. Some of the important ones are- Shravan Jhula in July-August, Parikrama Mela (Oct.-Nov.), Ramnavami (March-April), Rathyatra (June-July), Saryu snan (holy dip) in Oct.-Nov., Ram Vivah-Nov., Ramayan Mela in Dec., Jan., snan on every Amavasya & Purnima. Bharat Kund Mela, Guptar Ghat Mela, Balark Tirth Mela (Bharat Kund), Suker Skshetra Mela, Makhaura Mela etc.
Ram Navami- Is celebrated as birthday of Lord Ram which falls on the ninth day of bright fortnight of Chaitra (Hindi) month in March/April. Almost all the temples of this holy place are decorated and special arrangements are made to celebrate this day. People from all over India and even from abroad throng this place. The entire city has a glittering look and a very enthusiastic festival mood where the chimes of bells alongwith the sound of conches resonate all around.
Shravan Jhula Mela- This unique festival is celebrated in the Shravan month (July-August). The festival begins on third day of the second half of this month and lasts, till the month end. As per the tradition the idols of Lord Ram, Laxman & Sita are taken to a swing and then finally taken to Mani Parvat. The swinging is joined by a vast gathering of devotees & finally deities are brought back to the temple. It is an age old tradition & continues to be followed till date with great deal of enthusiasm & dedication.

Places of interest:-

The Hanuman Garhi:-

Situated in the center of the town, this temple is approachable by a flight of 76 steps. Legend has it that Hanuman lived here in a cave and guarded the Janambhoomi or Ramkot. The main temple contains the statue of Maa Anjani, with Bal Hanuman seated on her lap. The faithful believe that all their wishes are granted with a visit to this holy shrine.

A massive structure in the shape of a four sided fort with circular bastions at each corner houses a temple of Hanuman and is the most popular shrine in Ayodhya.

Kanak BhawanKanak Bhawan:-

Kanak Bhawan is one of the finist temple in Ayodhya. It was built by queen of tikamgarh, virshbhanu kuvari in 1891. the main temple is built around an opened inner court in which stands a small shrine of Rampada . the main idols installed inside the garbhagriha are of Devi Sit & Lord Rama . the sanctrum is well decorated .

Ramkot:-

The chief place of worship in Ayodhya is the site of the ancient citadel of Ramkot which stands on an elevated ground in the western part of the city. Although visited by pilgrims throughout the year, this sacred place attracts devotees from all over India and abroad, on `Ram Navami’, the day of Lord’s birth, which is celebrated with great pomp and show, in the Hindu month of Chaitra (March-April).

Swargdwar:-

The strip of land from Sahasradhara to Nageshwarnath temple is commonly denoted as Swargdwar. The buildings on the Ghat facing the river were mainly built during the reign of Nawab Safdar Jung and his Hindu minister Naval Rai, who is credited in in particular for their construction. The buildings and the Ghats offer a fine view. In recent years the river bed has shifted northwards, leaving the Ghats, therefore the new Ghats were built around 1960 along with the new bridge. The 'pairi' as it is popularly known offers an excellent view from the bridge.

Mani Parvat:-

stands about 65 feet high and some scholars think it to be Buddhist orgin. According to legends it was while Lord Hanuman was carrying the hill bearning the Sanjeevani Booti (herb) for Lakshmans wounds from Himalayas on way to Lanka a portion broke off and fell at Aydhoa and this is that very mound.

Guptar GhatGuptar Ghat:-

contains a series of fine well - maintained ghats which were built by Raja darshan singth in the 1st half of the 19th century. On top of the ghats a palace was built which comprises a Sita -Ram temple in the centre of the courtyard . the shrines of chakrahari and guptahari exist here with a small narasimha temple.

Suraj Kund:-

3 km. from ayodhya is suraj kund, a large tank with ghats around built by the rulers of surya vans hog ayodhya, as a homage to the sun god. The spot os ideal for a calm and quiet holiday.

Mani Parbat and Sugriv Parbat:-

The first of these ancient earth mounds is identified with a stupa built by the Emperor Ashoka, while the second is believed to be an ancient monastery.

Treta ke Thakur:-

This temple stands at the place where Rama is said to have performed the Ashvamedha Yajnya. About 300 years ago the Raja of kulu built a new temple here, which was improved by Ahalyabai Hokar of Indore during 1784, at the same time the adjoining Ghats were also built. The initial idols in black sandstone were recovered from Saryu and placed in the new temple, famous as Kaleram-ka-Mandir.

Nageshwarnath TempleNageshwarnath Temple:-

The temple of Nageshwarnath is said to have been established by Kush the son of Rama. Legend has it that Kush lost his armlet, while bathing in the Saryu, which was picked up by a Nag-Kanya, who fell in love with him. As she was a devotee of Shiva, Kush erected this temple for her. It is said that this has been the only temple to have survived till the time of Vikramaditya, the rest of city had fallen into ruins and was covered by dense forests. It was by means of this temple that Vikramaditya was able to locate Ayodhya and the sites of different shrines here. The festival of Shivratri is celebrated here with great pomp and splendor.

Ayodhya to Dasrath Bhavan:-

Dotted with so many religious places and holy shrines, Ayodhya is a venerated place that has been revered by all, fraction of Hindu ideology. This holy land bears close association with Lord Ram, the hero in the great epic Ramayana. Almost all the places in Ayodhya in one or the other way are related to this legendary ruler who is regarded as an icon of virtue. Dasrath Bhavan is not an exception to this common phenomenon and it is the place where in Raja Dasarath believed to reside with his kith and kin. Now the place houses a temple, which depicts Ram, Sita and Lakshmana as the chief deities. Though the shrine is not much bigger in size, its environ provide such serene and tranquil feeling that the devotee would be able to sense the presence of the supreme power.

Open Months:-

All year, Open Hours: 5 am - 2 pm and 4 - 9 pm

Other places of interest:-

Rishabhadeo Jain Temple, Brahma Kund, Amawan Temple, Tulsi Chaura, Laxman Quila, Angad Tila, Shri Rama Janaki Birla Temple, Tulsi Smarak Bhawan, Ram ki Paidi, Kaleramji ka Mandir, Datuvan Kund, Janki Mahal, Gurudwara Brahma Kund Ji, Ram Katha Museum, Valmiki Ramayan Bhawan, are among other places of interest in Ayodhya.

Temple Timings:-

9am-11am,4pm-8pm.
Arti-11.30am,7pm,9.30pm (summers),
9am-11am,4pm-8pm,
Arti-12noon, 6.30, 9pm (winters), opens on all days.

How to reach:-

By Air:-

Ayodhya can access both the airports of Lucknow (135 km) and Varanasi (190 km) with equal ease. Lucknow is well connected to the rest of the country with Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and Air Sahara flights. The Varanasi airport connects Delhi, Kolkata, Lucknow and Khajuraho on a regular basis.

By Rail:-

Faizabad is at a distance of 6km from Ayodhya and is three hours from both Varanasi and Lucknow by train on a broad gauge railway line. From Ayodhya to Varanasi two trains are available – the Farakka Express and the Saryu Yamuna Express. There is also a local train service from Ayodhya to Faizabad.

By Road:-

The nearest bus hub to Ayodhya is at Faizabad (6 km) and it is connected to Lucknow, Allahabad and Gorakhpur in regular bus service. An early morning bus service to Sunauli, for Nepal from Faizabad bus stand is also available. The distance from some major cities are : Lucknow – 141 km, Varanasi – 190 km, Allahabad – 167 km, Gorakhpur - 140 km.