Ayodhya
( Sightseeing )
Kanak
Bhawan : Legends have it that Rani Kaikey had built it for
Sita. Subsequentely it has been restored time and again by various
kings. The Present temple was built by Rani Krishnabhanu Kunwari
of Orccha in 1891. This has images of Sri Rama and Sita wearing
gold crowns. It is also known as Sone-ke-Ghar.
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.
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 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.
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).
Treta-Ke-Thakur : This temple stands at the place where
Rama is said to have performed the Ashvamedha Yajnya(Yagya). About
300 years ago the Raja of Kulu built a new temple here, which
was improved by Ahalyabai 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.
Maniparvat : Stands about 65 feet high, & some scholars
think it to be of Buddhist origin. According to legends, it was
while Hanuman was carrying the hill bearing the Sanjeevani Booti
(herb) for Lakshman's wounds from Himalayas on way to Lanka, a
portion broke off and fell in Ayodhya & this is that very
mound.
Jain Shrines : There are also several Jain temples at Ayodhya,
as it is said to be the birth place of five Tirthankaras. Kesari
Singh, the treasurer, of Nawab Faizabad, built five shrines to
mark the birth place of these Trithankaras, 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 & Sumantanath
shrine is at Ramkot.
Tulsichaura : The Hindi version of the Epic Ramyana, "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
seremons and discussions, and the singing of devotional songs
(Bhajans and Kirtans). It also house the Ayodhya Shodh Sansthan
where a large collection of literary works of Swami Tulsidas can
be seen. A cultural centre of performing Arts, also function here.
Ramkatha Museum: The Ramkatha Museum, set up at Ayodhya since
1988, in engaged in collection, preservation and conservation
of antiquities retaled to the story of Rama, open 10.30 A.M to
4.30., weekly holiday : Monday.
Swarg Dwar : Swarg Dwar where, according to mythology,
Lord Rama was cremated.
Main Ghats : Guptarghat, Rajghat, Ramghat, Lakshmanghat,
Jankighta, Nayaghat.
Tanks : Sitakund, Suryakund, Vibhishankund, Brahmakund,
Daturavan, Vidhyakund.
Hill-tops : Sugreev Tila, Angad Tila, Nal-neel Tila, Kuber
Tila and Maniparvat.
