THEN –
Ayodhya, the mythical city on the banks of the Sarayu river, was the capital of
the Koshala Kingdom ruled by the Suryavamsha or the Ikshvaaku dynasty, and
vedic texts have described Ayodhya as a 'city built by Gods and being
prosperous like paradise itself'.
Rama was
born to King Dasharatha and Kausalya in Ayodhya. Rama also returned to Ayodhya
after the incidents of the Ramayana (after killing Ravana and rescuing Sita),
and ruled the kingdom. It is in Ayodhya that he tutored his sons Lava and Kusha
in the matters of administration, and finally entered the Sarayu river to end
his mortal existence.
NOW –
Ayodhya is in Faizabad district of Uttar Pradesh, on the banks of the Ghaghra
river (which was called Sarayu in the Ramayana). There are several places
connected to the Ramayana standing here. The Ram Janma Bhoomi, the birthplace
of Rama, in Ayodhya, has been regarded as one of the seven most important
pilgrimage sites (Saptapuri) for Hindus. It is believed that the birth spot of
Rama was marked by a temple, which is said to have been demolished by the
orders of the Mughal emperor Babur and a mosque erected in its place by
1528 A.D, which was destroyed in 1992. The Ayodhya dispute to rebuild a grand
Rama temple at the site of Janmabhoomi, was cleared by the Supreme Court bench
in 2019. A Rama temple is presently under construction at this place.
Hanuman
Garhi, a massive four-sided fort with circular bastions at each corner and a
temple of Hanuman inside, is situated in the center of town, & is
approachable by a flight of 76 steps. Its legend is that Hanuman lived here in
a cave and guarded the Janambhoomi.
Ramkot,
is the main place of worship in Ayodhya, and the site of the ancient citadel of
its namesake, standing on elevated ground in the western city. Although visited
by pilgrims throughout the year, it attracts devotees from all over the world
on Rama Navami day. Swarg Dwar is believed to be the site of final cremation of
Rama. Treta ke Thakur is a temple standing at the site of the Ashvamedha Yajnya
of Rama.
Kanak
Bhavan is a temple dedicated to Rama and Sita, and is believed to have been the
palace gifted to Sita and Rama by Kaikeyi for their wedding.
