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Skand and some other Puranas rank
Ayodhya as one of the seven most sacred cities of India. It was the
venue of many an event in Hindu mythology, today pre-eminently a
temple town, Ayodhya is also famous for its close association with the
epic Ramayana. It is a city of immense antiquity full of historical
significance and sacred temples. The Atharvaveda described Ayodhya as
`a city built by Gods and being prosperous as paradise itself’. The
illustrious ruling
Ayodhya is pre-eminently a city of temples yet, all 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 tradition, five Tirthankaras were born at Ayodhya, including Adinath (Rishabhadeva) the 1st Tirthankar.
Air For Ayodhya the nearest airports are Amausi Airport (Lucknow-134 km), Bumrauli Airport (Allahabad - 166 km) Rail
Ayodhya is situated on the broad gauge
Northern Railway line on Muhal Sarai – Lucknow main route. Ayodhya/Faizabad
are connected to various parts of the country by the following trains:
Road Connected by road to several major cities and towns. Some of the major road distances are: Lucknow (134 km), Gorakhpur (132 km), Jhansi (441 km), Allahabad (166 km), Sravasti (109 km), Varanasi (209 km) and Gonda (51 km).
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 Janambhoomi or Ramkot. The main temple contains the statue of Maa Anjani, with Bal Hanuman seated on her lap. The faithful believe that all their wishes are 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. Kanak Bhawan
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 throughout the year, this sacred place attracts devotees from all over India and abroad, on `Ram Navami’, the day of Lord’s birth, which is celebrated with great pomp and show, in the Hindu month of Chaitra (March-April). Swarg Dwar According to mythology, Lord Rama is said to have been cremated here. Mani Parbat and Sugriv Parbat The first of these ancient earth mounds is identified with a stupa built by the Emperor Ashoka, while the second is believed to be an ancient monastery. Treta ke Thakur This temple stands at the place where Rama is said to have performed the Ashvamedha Yajnya. About 300 years ago the Raja of kulu built a new temple here, which was improved by Ahalyabai Hokar 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
Other places of interest Rishabhadeo Jain Temple, Brahma Kund, Amawan Temple, Tulsi Chaura, Laxman Quila, Angad Tila, Shri Rama Janaki Birla Temple, Tulsi Smarak Bhawan, Ram ki Paidi, Kaleramji ka Mandir, Datuvan Kund, Janki Mahal, Gurudwara Brahma Kund, Ram Katha Museum, Valmiki Ramayan Bhawan, are among other places of interest in Ayodhya. |
Ayodhya is situated on the right bank of
the river Ghagra
or Saryu, as it is called within sacred precincts, on latitude 26o
48’ north and longitude 82o 13’ east in north India. Just 6
km from Faizabad, Ayodhya is a popular pilgrim centre. This town is
closely associated with Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord
Vishnu. The ancient city of Ayodhya, according to the Ramayana, was
founded by Manu, the law-giver of the Hindu. For centuries, it was the
capital of the descendants of the Surya dynasty of which Lord Rama was
the most celebrated king. Ayodhya during ancient times was known as
Kaushaldesa. 
dynasty of this region were the Ikshvakus of the
solar clan (Suryavansa). According to tradition, Ikshvakus was the
eldest son of Vaivasvata Manu, who established
himself at Ayodhya. The earth is said to have derived its name `Prithivi’
from Prithu, the 6th king of the line. A few generations
later came Mandhatri, in whose line the 31st king was
Harischandra, known widely for his love of truth. Raja Sagar of the
same clan performed the Asvamedha Yajna and his great grandson
Bhagiratha is reputed to have brought Ganga on earth by virtue of his
penance. Later in the time came the great Raghu, after whom the family
came to be called as Raghuvamsa. His grandson was Raja Dasaratha, the
illustrious father of Rama, with whom the glory of the Kausala dynasty
reached its highest point. The story of this epic has been
immortalized by Valmiki and immensely popularized by the great masses
through centuries.
This has images of
Sri Rama and Sita wearing gold crowns. It is also known as
Sone-ke-Ghar.
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 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 has been 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 and splendour.