Ayodhya is a holy city in the Faizabad district of Uttar Pradesh state of India, situated on the banks of the holy serene Saryu River. It is one of the holiest cities in India, a major religious place for Hinduism, where there are millions of pilgrims throughout the year. Ayodhya country, it once used to be the home of the Ikshvaku dynasty where Lord Vishnu incarnated in Suryakul in the form of Sri Rama. Hence its identity is mentioned as the birthplace of Lord Prabhu Shri Ram and in the Hindu epic Valmiki Ramayana. Ayodhya is a divine Sightseeing for every devotee, which is filled with countless temples and is adorned with beautiful ghats. That is why Ayodhya is counted among the most pilgrimage places in India. Also, the Garuda Purana (a Hindu scripture) lists Ayodhya (Awadh) as one of the seven sacred pilgrimage sites (Saptapuri) of Hindus due to the incarnation of Lord Sri Rama. Also, it is mentioned in the prescribed texts of Buddhist and Jainism that religious gurus Gautama Buddha and Mahavira came to Ayodhya and stayed. The sacred texts of Jainism also describe it as the birthplace of five of the 24 Tirthankaras, such as Rishabhanath, Ajitnath, Abhinandanath, Sumatinath and Anantnath. Ayodhya, the city of Rama ji who grants moksha (liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth) to a person.
In Avadh, many eminent kings like Ikshvaku, Prithvi, Mandhata, Harishchandra, Sagar, Bhagiratha, Raghu, Dileep, Dasharatha and Rama ruled the capital of Kosaldesh. It is here that Lord Rama was born as one of the most important rulers. Who always preached their subjects to follow self-religion. It was from this preaching that the grandeur of the state reached its peak during his reign and he established Ramrajya.
The city of Ayodhya is recognized as the place of Saket, as Lord Rama is a resident of Saket Dham, and the place where he resides becomes Saket Lok itself. And since the Gupta period, many sources have mentioned Ayodhya and Saket as the name of this city. Over time the Mughals ruled in India. And during the reign of Mughal Emperor Babur, he built the Babri Masjid by demolishing the place where Lord Rama's birth was marked by a temple. In 1992, the mosque demolished the Babri Masjid with the aim of replacing it with the temple of Ram. In 2005, there was a terrorist attack on the site of Ramlala temple in Ayodhya. It is a battle of Hindu and Muslim religion in the Supreme Court of India, which on 9 November 2019, the Supreme Court under the chairmanship of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, has given the land to Ram Mandir and also the government to make Sunni Waqf Board a mosque. Also ordered to give optional 5 acres of land. Construction of the Ram temple began in August 2020.
Despite such controversies, the number of tourists to Ayodhya did not decrease. Ayodhya has so much color and spirituality and has emerged as an important spiritual center. When you go to Ayodhya, you will be surrounded by herds of monkeys as if there is an army of Ram ji who is welcoming you in the city of Ayodhya.
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History of Ayodhya (Awadh)
Ayodhya is mentioned in ancient Hindu Sanskrit-language epics, such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Which is known to Lord Prabhu Shri Rama that this city is the birth place of Raghunandan. Who was born in the palace of Maharaja Shri Dasaratha. But the history of this mythical city is as old as the creation of this world.
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| Ancient Architecture in sacred cities of Hindus called Sapta-puris © Allestern / Flickr |
According to the legends, the three gods Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh are known as Pradhan Devas in the world. Those who create, follow and destroy this world. The history of the city also begins with the creation of the world.
Satyuga - Marichi is one of the 10 Manas sons of Brahma. Marichi's son is Kashyap. Kashyapa's son is Vivaswan or Surya. Manu, son of Vivaswan - from whom Suryavansha started. When Brahma Ji said to Manu that you expand mankind on earth, then Manu and Satarupa were the first men and women on earth. Through which human race expanded. When Manu came to earth as Brahma Putra, the Gods built this city. Even in the Atharvaveda, this place is described as a city which was built by the gods. It was established as the first city on earth, which Lord Vishnu gave the heart of Vaikuntha Loka as this city to Maharaj Manu. Many Raghuvanshi kings ruled Ayodhya in the Satyuga. which is like this. Nabhag, son of Manu, Ambareesh, son of Nabhag, Viroop, son of Ambareesh, Prashdshava, son of Viroop, Rathitara, son of Prashdshava, Ikshvaku, son of Rathitara. Then from this, a name of this dynasty became Ikshvaku dynasty. Kukshi, son of Ikshvaku. There are many such kings - Vikukshi, Puranjaya, Anaranya I, Prithu, Vishwarandhi, Chandra, Yuvnashv, Vrihadashv, Dhundmar, Hadashva, Hrishashv, Nikumbha, Varahnashva, Krishashva, Senjit, Yuvnashva II. All these kings ruled Ayodhya for a long time. And at the time of Yuvnashva II, the Satyuga ends.
Tretayuga - Tretayuga begins from the time of Mandhata, the son of Yuvnashva II. Until Tretayug, Ayodhya was changed by various kings in the city, but still the city was prosperous. Even in Tretayug, many kings ruled. Which is as follows - Purukutas from Mandhata, Trisadasyu from Purukutsa, Aanaranya from Trisadasyu, Aanaranya from Haryashva, Aarun from Haryashva, Nibandhan from Aarun, Satyavrit from Nibandhan, Satyavrit from Satyevadi Harischandra, Rohitash from Satyevadi Harischandra, Champ from Rohitash, Then Vasudev, Vijay, Bhask, Vrak, Bahuk, Sagara, Amanjas, Anshuman, Dilip I, Bhagiratha - who brought the Ganges to earth, Srut, Naabh, Sindhudeep, Ayutayush, Rituparna, Sarvakam, Sudas, Saudas, Ashmak, Moolak, Satratha, Edvid, Vishwasah, Khatwong, Dileep (Dirghwahu), Raghu, Aaj, Dasharatha. Dasharatha performed a yajna to get a son, then Lord Vishnu took the seventh incarnation as Lord Shri Rama in the sun dynasty. Which is called the son of Maharaj Dasaratha. After Ram ji's departure to Vaikunth, Ayodhya was completely destroyed. However, the great poet Kalidas has mentioned in Raghuvansh that Lord Rama's son was Kush who restored Ayodhya. This Tretayug ends.
Dwapar Yuga - At the beginning of Dwapar Yuga, the son of Kush, the guest, ruled. And likewise, in Dwapar too many kings also ruled this city. Such as - Nishadh, Nal, Nabh, Pundarik, Kshemdhanma, Devanik, Anih, Pariyatra, Bal, Uktha, Vajranabha, Khagana, Vyutishthasva, Vishwasah, Hiranyabh, Pushya, Dhruvsandhi, Sudarshan, Agnivarna, Seeghra, Maru, Prasrut, Susandhi, Amarsha, Mahaswan, Vishwabahu, Prasenjit, Takshak, Vrihadwal, Vrihatrachhatra. All these kings were ruled as Suryavansh. But over time, Ayodhya was desolate and settled several times. After this the Kaliyuga begins.
Kali Yuga - Similarly, in the Suryavansha, later King of Kapilvastu, Shuddhodana Shakya, his son Siddhartha, who is known today as Gautama Buddha. However, it is worth noting that historians only interpreted the existence of Ayodhya as an urban center consisting of buildings and palaces, according to the Ramayana. Also, in Kali Yuga people believe that the city of Saket and Ayodhya are different. But let us tell them that Lord Rama lives in Saket Lok. Where God incarnates, he himself becomes a Saket Lok. According to Jain tradition, it is described in his holy book that 5 Tirthankaras - Rishabhanath (first), Ajitnath (second), Abhinandanath (fourth), Sumatinath (fifth) and Anantnath (fourteenth) were born in Ayodhya. Over a period of time, the 16th century saw a change in power with Ayodhya under the rule of the Mughal Empire. Ayodhya was closed by the British rulers in 1856 after the Mughal Empire. But between 1857 and 1859, Ayodhya was one of the main centers where sparks for independence arose. In December 1992, a political rally in Ayodhya turned into a major riot, during which frenzied Hindu extremists destroyed the 16th-century Mughal-era mosque as the Babri Masjid (Babur's Mosque). Because this place is the birthplace of Lord Shri Ram. And this dispute continued in Ayodhya, but now it is quiet.
Places and attractions to visit in Ayodhya
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| Dashrath Bhavan where Lord Rama appeared in front of Kaushalya © Lionel Viroulaud / Flickr |
Dashrath Bhavan - Dasharatha Bhawan is situated in the middle of the city of Ayodhya, it is the original residence of the Chakravarti Emperor King Dasharatha. It is said that Lord Raghunandan was born here. It is a grand palace which has magnificent temples of King Rama which has statues of Lakshmana and Sita including Sri Rama. The temples are well decorated. Lord Rama spent his childhood with his brothers in this palace. The main gate of the palace is decorated with beautiful paintings and many colors. Within the palace, saffron-clad monks chant mantras, sing and dance in the Ramayana's couplets and chaupayas. This palace was built later in the same place and the building looks much smaller than its original counterpart. But still the palace attracts a crowd of devotees.
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| Kanak Bhavan, was gifted by Kaikeyi to Sita ji on her marriage © Shalini Tomar / Wiki Commons |
Kanak Bhawan - Kanak Bhawan is one of the most elaborate places in Ayodhya. Shri Ram and Sita Ji are wearing gold crowns in the temple, hence it is also called gold-house. This palace was given by Lord Rama's younger mother Kaikeyi in his marriage ceremony to Sita Ji for Muh Dikhai. It was quite a grand and beautiful palace. Later it was torched in the temple.
In 1891, Rishabhanu Kuwari of Tekamgarh (Madhya Pradesh) built an exquisite temple.
Treta-ke-Thakur - This is an ancient temple located on the banks of the Saryu River in Ayodhya. The temple is dedicated to Lord Rama, who is described as the God of Treta Yuga. It is said that this beautiful temple marks the place where Lord Rama performed the legendary Ashwamedha Yagna. This temple was built 300 years ago by the king of Kullu (Himachal Pradesh).
Ram ki Paidi - Rama Ki Paidi is a series of ghats situated on the banks of the river Saryu. At this place, beauty is seen on the full moon day. The arrival of lakhs of devotees makes it an unforgettable experience. It is believed that devotees take a dip in the river and wash away their sins.
Sita ki Rasoi - Sita's kitchen, located on the northwestern side of the Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya, is considered to be the ancient kitchen used by Goddess Sita herself. But this sacred site is now a temple. One of the two kitchens named after Sita in one corner of the temple, this Sita's kitchen is a basement kitchen. At the other end of the same temple are the richly dressed and ornate statues of Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna and their wives Sita, Urmila, Mandvi and Shrutakirti.
Shri Nageshwarnath Temple - Nageshwarnath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located at the Ram Ki Paidi. And its sanctum sanctorum is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of India. This temple was built by Kush, the elder son of Lord Rama. The temple was currently renovated in 1750 by Naval Rai, a minister of Nawab Safdar Jung.
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| Hanuman Garhi, where Hanuman is ruling as king in Ayodhya © Lionel Viroulaud / Flickr |
Hanumangarhi - Hanumangarhi Temple is one of the most popular attractions in Ayodhya. This temple is dedicated to Hanuman, a dear devotee of Shri Rama. In the temple, Hanuman ji is a beautiful idol sitting on the lap of his mother Anjani. This temple is built on a mound, to reach which one has to climb seventy-six ladders. It is said that Lord Ram gave this place to Lord Hanuman from where he protects the city of Surrey. Thousands of devotees visit the temple every day and get the blessing of fulfilling their wishes.
Ramkot - Ramkot temple is one of the major places of worship in Ayodhya. It is an ancient citadel situated on a high platform. The temple is dedicated to Ram ji. Thousands of devotees throng the temple throughout the year. The best time to visit is the month of Chaitra (March-April). Here Rama Navami is celebrated with great pomp.
Mani Parvat - It is believed that when Hanuman ji was taking the huge mountain to Lanka with Sanjeevani Booti (a herb) for the purpose of saving Lord Rama's brother Lakshmana, a detective told Bharat ji that someone Is going to attacked on Ayodhya. Bharat ji hit Hanuman ji, then Hanuman ji fainted and fell on the land of Ayodhya. At the same time, a piece of it broke apart due to the fall of the mountain. This 65 feet high hill was later named Mani Parbat.
Chhoti Devkali Temple - The temple is located close to Naya Ghat which is dedicated to Goddess Devakali. According to mythology, Mata Sita brought the idol of Goddess Girija Devi to Ayodhya after her marriage to Lord Rama. This temple was built by King Dasharatha Ji. And the idol was installed in the sanctum sanctorum. Mother Sita used to worship in this temple every day.
Suraj Kund - There is a large pond surrounded by Suraj Kund Ghats situated on the fourteen Koshi Parikrama Marg, 4 km from Ayodhya. Suryavanshi rulers of Ayodhya built this kund on the orders of Sun God. According to the legend, one day a Suryavanshi king came here to hunt and made up his mind to stay permanently at this place. The king was suffering from leprosy, but he recovered after taking a dip in the Furrow. Visitors come to this ancient Suraj Kund every sunday to take a dip in the furrow and pray to the Sun God to get rid of their diseases.
Lakshmana Ghat - This is the place where Ram ji's brother Lakshman volunteered to take samadhi. When he broke a pledge, he gave himself up in the waters of Sarayu.
Guptar Ghat - This ghat is situated on the banks of river Saryu and is an important pilgrimage place for Hindus. Guptar Ghat is believed to be the place where Lord Rama took his last dip (water samadhi) to leave the earth and return to his original abode 'Vaikuntha'. The ghat also has various temples and daily aarti is performed.
Bharat Kund - This is the place where Bharata did 14 years of penance to return from exile of Lord Rama. This place is about 15 km from Ayodhya, because Bharat ji did not want to live in Ayodhya when Lord Rama was in exile. It is a quiet place. It is a sacred kund which is known as Bharat Kund. Devotees come here and also take a holy dip in the Kund.
Devipatan Temple - This temple is located on the outskirts of the city of Ayodhya. The Siddhapeeth of Patan Devi is one of the 51 Shaktipeeths (different parts of the body of the goddess Sati had fallen in India) and holds religious significance. According to Hindu legend, this is the same place when Lord Shiva was carrying the body of his wife Sati, his right shoulder fell on this land. It has idols of the presiding deity along with idols of Goddess Kali, Kaal Bhairav and others.
Tulsi Smarak Bhawan - Tulsi memorial building is dedicated to the great saint - poet Goswami Tulsidas ji. Which is made in his memory. Who wrote Ramcharitmanas in Awadhi language and has written many texts like Dohavali, Kavitavali, Hanuman Chalisa. Ayodhya Educational Institute is located in Tulsi Memorial Building. Regular prayer meetings, devotional concerts and religious discourses are held here.
Food in Ayodhya
Ayodhya being a holy city, food choices in Ayodhya are quite limited. Only vegetarian food is available and there are no major dining places.
But in Ayodhya, spicy, crunchy, pungent and sour-sweet chaat can be tasted. This includes gol gappa (pani puri) served with tamarind water. And there is also kachori, fried spicy dumplings, papyri chaat, wafers, samosa.
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| Laddu, most commonly eaten dessert, often at every happy occasion © Rajesh / Flickr |
Laddu is the most commonly eaten dessert, which is very enjoyed on religious or festive occasions.
Shopping in Ayodhya
When you take off in the streets of Ayodhya, you will be welcomed with shops on both sides. In these shops, you will find all kinds of bhog, jewelery, clothes, turmeric, kumkum and sandalwood to take you to the temples. You can get Ramnami towel, chundari, kurta and handicraft bags, Tulsi Mala, Ramdana, religious books, laddus, beautiful bangles of various deities, copper utensils and holographic posters. It is a famous dessert, Khurchan Peda which is very tasty. Here you will find a marble statue of Hindu Gods and Goddesses in different sizes in the local market, and if you order a statue then it will also be made available to you.
How to reach Ayodhya
By Road - Uttar Pradesh Roadways Depot is major bus stands in Ayodhya. Which is connected by state and UPSRTC roadways buses by road to many cities like like Prayagraj - 166 km, Gonda - 51 km, Gorakhpur - 135 km, Lucknow - 134 km, Shravasti - 109 km and Varanasi - 209 (Uttar Pradesh), and Delhi - 636 km. Within the state, the city is connected to all other major cities of Uttar Pradesh by an excellent road network. Cab facilities are also available within the city.
By Train - Ayodhya Railway Station Located on the Mughal Sarai - Lucknow line, is the major railway station in Ayodhya . Which is connected by state and other railway stations to many cities like Delhi, Prayagraj, Bahraich, Gonda, Gorakhpur, Jaunpur, Kanpur, Lucknow, and Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) by rail. These trains are operated on time by the Indian Railways. Ayodhya is easily accessible from other cities.
By Air - There is no airport in the city of Ayodhya. The nearest airport in Ayodhya is 8 km from Ayodhya, near Dr Ram Manohar Lohia University in Faizabad, but no regular airline is available. Apart from this there is Chaudhary Charan Singh Airport in Amausi, Lucknow, which is at a distance of 134 km or Bamrauli Airport at Prayagraj which is about 166 km away.
Best travel time to visit Ayodhya
Month : October to March
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