Once upon a time, somewhere between the 4th and 5th Century BC, a great poet called Valmiki wrote a beautiful epic called Ramayana. It depicted the lives of the great king Ram and his wife Sita. It all started in an ancient city called Ayodhya, the famous Ram Janmabhoomi. The story might be very old, but its echoes are still fresh.
If you want to explore this unique meeting point of Indian history and mythology today, here are some of the places and pointers to keep in mind. One of the seven most sacred cities of India, Ayodhya is significant not just for Hinduism but for many other religions that have prospered here at different points of time. Apart from the Hindu temples, the city also carries important symbols of Buddhism, Jainism and Islam.
Things To Do in Ayodhya:
- Ramkot: This ancient palace is now a major spot of worship. Devotees from all over the world come here every year, especially during the festival of Ram Navami, the day Lord Ram was born.
- Nageshwarnath Temple: This temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is very popular with pilgrims especially at the time of Shivratri. Legend has it that it was built by Lord Rama’s son, Kush. While there are multiple beliefs, one of the popular ones say that Kush lost his armlet in river Saryu, which was found by a nag-kanya who fell in love with him. As she was a devotee of Lord Shiva, Kush built the temple for her.
- Mani Parbat: With Buddhist origins, this hillock has an interesting mythological reference. It is believed that while Hanuman was carrying the hill with the Sanjeevani Booti, a part of the hill broke off and fell here.
- Treta ke Thakur: This is a significant religious spot because it is believed that this temple is situated where Ram is said to have performed the Ashwamedha Yagna. Around 300 years ago, the Raja of Kulu is said to have built a new temple at this spot, called Kaleram ka Mandir. This temple houses idols of Ram, Sita, Lakshman and Bharat that are supposed to be from the original Ram Temple.
- Hanuman Garhi: This is believed to be the place where Hanuman lived and guarded the Ram Janmabhoomi. Locals believe that a visit to this holy shrine will grant you all your wishes.
These are just some of the places that you can visit in Ayodhya now. But you should go and explore this historical land for yourself and uncover the layers of time and religion.
Getting There:
By Air: The nearest airport from Ayodhya is Lucknow, which is about 130 kilometres away.
By Train: You can take a train to Ayodhya or Faizabad, which is just 6 kilometres away from Ayodhya. You can catch the train from Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, Varanasi or Allahabad.
By Land: Ayodhya is well connected to other cities in Uttar Pradesh by frequent bus services. You will also find buses from Delhi, which is about 636 kilometres away.