Ayodhya – Numerous temples that You Need to Know
Ayodhya, being the birthplace of Sri Rama and Historical place of Indian history several religious and historical places are worth visiting. It is said there are over 50 temples in Ayodhya apart from Ram Janmbhoomi, all these have history associated with it and even dates back to the times of Lord Ram. Here we look at few of the temples that are very important and must visit when you are in Ayodhya.
Ram Janmbhoomi or Ramkot
Ram Janmbhoomi is believed to be the place of birth of Lord Ram and the very place of the conflict between Hindus and Muslims. Ramkot is located to the west of Ayodhya, where the fort of Ram was supposed to be built.
Ram is one of the major deities of Hinduism, he is the seventh avatar or incarnation of the Lord Vishnu. Ram was born on the ninth day of the lunar month Chaitra (March-April), a day celebrated through India as Ram Navami.
At present there is a very modest temporary tent that can be seen from afar, which house small idols of Ram and Sita. Legend has it that the original black sanstone idols were found in the Sarayu River. The ancient fort is surrounded by temples and monasteries and receives a steady flow of pilgrims that widens considerably during Ram Navami.
Nageshwar Nath Temple
This temple is at Ram Ki Paidi in Ayodhya. The temple of Nageshwarnath is said to have been established by Kush, the son of Rama. Legend is 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. Even till the times of Vikramaditya the temple was in good shape.
The present temple was built in 1750 by the minister of Safdar Jung, named Naval Rai. The festival of Shivratri is celebrated here in a big way, and Shiv Barat procession is taken out during these celebrations which is particularly significant. During the festival time of Mahashivratri the temple receive thousands of devotees.
Deokaali
This temple is associated with several tales from the Ramayana and is situated near Naya Ghat. As per mythology, Mother Sita after her wedding with Lord Rama arrived in Ayodhya with an idol of goddess Girija Devi. King Dashrath got a beautiful temple constructed for the idol and Mother Sita used to worship the Devi in the temple. An impressive statue of Goddess Devkali, the local deity, is present now.
Ram Ki Paidi
Ram ki Paidi is a series of ghats on the bank of River Saryu. The riverfront brings forth an outstanding Landscape especially in the floodlit night.
These serve as platforms to devotees who it is said, come to wash away their sins by taking a dip in the river.
Birla Temple
Shri Ram Janaki Birla Temple is a newly made temple. It is located opposite to the Ayodhya Bus stop on the way of Ayodhya-Faizabad. This temple is dedicated to Lord Ram and Devi Sita.
Hanuman Garhi
Hanuman Garhi is 1 km from Ayodhya railway station. Vikramaditya got a temple constructed which later on came to be known as Hanuman Garhi. It is believed that Lord Hanuman (Pavan Putra) lived here guard Ayodhya. You will find here a beautiful idol of Bal (young) sitting on lap of Maa Anjani at the main temple.
Kanak Bhawan
Kanak Bhawan is to the north-east of Ram Janam Bhumi, Ramkot, in Ayodhya. Kanak Bhawan is one of the finest and famous temples in Ayodhya and is a must visit. It is believed that this Bhawan was gifted to Devi Sita by Kaikei immediately after her marriage to Lord Ram.
This is private palace of Devi Sita and Lord Rama. Vikramaditya got it renovated. Later it was rebuilt/renovated by Vrish Bhanu Kunwari which exists even today. The main idols installed in the garbhgrih (sanctum), are of Lord Ram and Devi Sita.
Gulab Bari
Gulab Bari (literally meaning ‘Garden of Roses’) the Tomb of Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula is in Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. This place has a good collection of roses of various varieties set by the sides of water fountains. Gulab Bari is the maqbara (Mausoleum) of Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula, the third Nawab of Oudh (now Awadh) in the campus. The tomb proper stands in the centre of a Charbagh Garden accompanied by fountains and shallow water channels.
Gulab Bari is not only a spot that needs to be visited; it is a place of worship and various cultural events. The locals treat it as a holy place. It is said that the monument is connected to a boali in Lucknow and used to be hiding place for the successors of the Nawab Shuja-ud-daula.
Jain Shwetamber Temple
Ayodhya is the place where 18 ‘Kalyanak’ of different ‘tirthankars’ have taken place. Five Thirthankars were born and preached their religious values here, they include Adinath, Ajitnath, Abhinandannath, Sumatinath, Ananthnath. Kesari Singh, the treasurer of Nawab of Faizabad, got the five Jain shrines constructed to mark the birth place of these Thirthankers.
This temple of Digamber Jain sect is dedicated to first Tirthanker Rishabhdev, who is also known as Adinath, Purdev, Vrishabhdev, and Adi Brahma. This magnificent, majestic new temple popularly known as Badi Murti is situated in Raiganj locality of Ayodhya. Here a 31 feet high marble statue of Rishabhdev is installed. This place has been recently developed with the blessings of Acharya Ratna Deshbhushanji Maharaj and Aryika Gyanmati Mataji.
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