Location: Uttar Pradesh
Attractions: Ramkot, Hanuman Garhi
Best Season: Throughout The Year
Languages: Hindi, Avadhi, English |
Tourism in
Ayodhya
AYODHYA - The Birth
Place Of Lord Rama
On the right bank of the river Ghagra or
Saryu, as it is called within sacred
precincts, stands the holy city of Ayodhya,
believed to be the birth place of lord Rama,
the seventh incarnation of lord Vishnu.
Ayodhya during ancient times was known as
Kosaldesa. The Atharvaveda describes it as
“a city built by gods and being as
prosperous as paradise itself”. The
illustrious Ikshvaku of the solar clan (suryavamsa)
was the ruling dynasty of this region.
The ancient city of Ayodhya, according to
the Ramayana, was founded by Manu, the
law-giver of the Hindus. For centuries, it
was the capital of the descendants of the
Surya dynasty of which lord Rama was the
most celebrated king.
Ayodhya is pre-eminently a city of temples
yet, all the places of worship here, are not
only of Hindu religion. At Ayodhya several
religions have grown and prospered
simultaneously and also at different periods
of time in the past. Remnants of Hinduism,
Buddhism, Jainism and Islam can still be
found in Ayodhya. According to Jain belief,
five tirthankaras were born at Ayodhya,
including Adinath (Rishabhadeva), the 1st
tirthankar.
PRIME ATTRACTIONS
Religious Places
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 through out the
year, this sacred place attracts devotees
from all over India and abroad, on ‘Ramnavami’,
the day of the lord’s birth, which is
celebrated with great pomp and show, in the
Hindu month of Chaitra (March-April).
The Hanuman Garhi: Situated in the centre 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 Janmabhoomi or Ramkot. The main temple
contains the statue of Anjani, with child
Hanuman, seated on her lap. The devotees
believe that all their wishes will be
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.
Treta-Ke-Thakur: This temple stands at the
place, where Rama is said to have performed
the Ashvamedha Yagya. About 300 years ago,
the Raja of Kullu built a new temple here,
which was improved by Ahilyabai Holkar 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 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 river 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 is 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 & show.
Kanak Bhawan: Legends have it that queen
Kaikeyi had built it for Sita. It has been
restored time and again by various kings.
Rani Krishnabhanu Kunwari of Orchha built
the present temple, in 1891.
Maniparvat: This hillock standing about 65
fee high is considered to be of Buddhist
origin, by many. According to legend, it was
while Hanuman was carrying the hill bearing
the ‘sanjeevani booti’, for Lakshman’s
wounds from Himalayas on way to Lanka, a
portion broke off and fell in Ayodhya.
Jain Shrines: There are also several Jain
temples at Ayodhya, as it is said to be the
birthplace of five tirthankaras. Kesari
Singh, the treasurer of Nawab of Faizabad,
built five shrines to mark the birthplace of
these tirthankaras, which bear the date of
Vikram Samvat 1781. The temple of Adinath is
near the Swargdwar, while the Anantanath
temple stands on the Gola Ghat & Sumantnath
shrine is at Ramkot.
Tulsichaura: The Hindi version of the epic
Ramayana, “The Ramcharitmanas” is said to
have been composed by Tulsidas, here.
Tulsi Smarak Bhawan: Built in memory of the
poet Goswami Tulsidas, this monument is used
for prayer meetings, religious sermons and
discussions, and the singing of devotional
songs (Bhajans and kirtans). It also houses
the Ayodhya Shodh Sansthan, where a large
collection of literary works of Swami
Tulsidas can be seen. A cultural center of
Performing Arts also functions here.
Ramkatha museum, set up at Ayodhya since
1988, is engaged in collection, preservation
and conservation of antiquities related to
the life of Rama.
EXCURSIONS
Faizabad: Faizabad developed as a township
nearly 220 years ago, during the reign of
Safdar Jang, the second Nawab of Avadh, who
laid its foundations by making it his
military headquarters. A fort known as
Chhota Calcutta, now in ruins. The chowk,
Tirpaulia, Anguribagh, Motibagh, Asafbagh &
Bulandbagh, all built by Suja Ud Daula are
noteworthy for their architecture. Gulab
Bari, the mausoleum of Shija Ud Daula is
also worth a visit.
HOW TO GET THERE
Air: For Ayodhya the nearest airports are
Amausi, Bumrauli and Babatpur.
Rail: Ayodhya is situated on the broad gauge
northern railway line on Mughal Sarai-
Lucknow main route. Ayodhya/Faizabad are
connected to various parts of the country by
rail lines.
Road: Connected by road to several major
cities and towns.
PLACES TO STAY
There are pretty decent and resonable
accommodations available in Ayodhya. Being a
religious centre Dharamshalas are available
for pilgrims and tourists can opt for
tourist lodges.
TOURIST INFORMATION
Banks: State Bank Of India And Central Bank
Of India, both at Shrinagar Hat.
Post & Telegraph: Sub-Post Office, Shrinagar
Hat.
Hospitals: Shri Ram Hospital, Ayodhya; State
Ayurved Hospital, Ayodhya.
Tourist Information Offices: Government of
U.P. Regional Tourist Office, H.No.-1-3/152/4,
Near Puspraj; Guest House, Station Road,
Civil Line, Faizabad.
NEARBY CITIES
Faizabad: 6-km
Lucknow: 130-km
GENERAL INFORMATION
Area: 10.24 sq. kms.
Population: 40642 (1991 census)
Altitude: 26.90 m above sea level.
Season: October- March.
Clothing: Summer: Light Cotton.
Winter: Woollens.
Important Festivals:
Ramnavami (March- April).
Rath Yatra: In the months of June- July
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India
Travel Guide / States / Uttar Pradesh / Cities / Ayodhya Travel
