Ayodhya Kshetra (अयोध्या) - Moksha Puri and where Sri Rama incarnated

• Meditation:
- Rama: I meditate on Sri Rama incarnating in Ayodhya for the welfare of the world.
- Sita: I meditate on Devi Sita staying in Ayodhya for sometime after marriage.
- Vishnu: I meditate on Lord Vishnu abiding in Ayodhya as Saptahari.
- Shiva: I meditate on Lord Shiva abiding in Ayodhya as Nageshwarnath.
- Devi: I meditate on Devi abiding in Ayodhya as Choti DevKali and Badi DevKali, the kula devis.
- Surya: I meditate on Sri Surya deva abiding in Ayodhya in the temple of Surya Kund.
- Hanuman: I meditate on Bhakta Hanuman abiding in Ayodhya in Hanuman Garhi.
- Sages and Saints: I meditate on the Sages and Saints meditating in the Ayodhya Kshetra.
- River Sarayu: I meditate on the holy river Sarayu flowing through Ayodhya.

अयोध्या मथुरा माया काशी काञ्ची अवन्तिका ।
पुरी द्वारावती चैव सप्तैते मोक्षदायकाः ॥
- Sapta Mokshapuri Sloka (Ayodhya is a Moksha Puri)

शुद्धब्रह्मपरात्पर राम् । कालात्मकपरमेश्वर राम् । शेषतल्पसुखनिद्रित राम् । ब्रह्माद्यामरप्रार्थित राम् ।
राम् राम् जय राजा राम् । राम् राम् जय सीता राम् ।
- Nama Ramayana - verse 1 (Sri Rama incarnated in Ayodhya)

Ayodhya Kshetra - Moksha Puri and where Sri Rama incarnated:

- Ayodhya (Moksha Puri) (Divya Desam)
(Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh)

Sacred Geography of Ayodhya:
- Holy river Sarayu flows through Ayodhya.
▬ River Sarayu flows → Saryu Ghat (Aarti)
• Lakshman Ghat
• Vaidehi Ghat
• Ram Ghat
• Bharat Ghat
• Shatrughna Ghat
• Swargadwar Ghat
• Guptar Ghat
▬ River Tamasa flows

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Rama & Ayodhya:
(Valmiki Ramayana) (Skanda Purana - Ayodhya Mahatmya)
- Sri Rama incarnated in Ayodhya, grew up in Ayodhya, ruled his kingdom from Ayodhya, and finally returned to his divine abode from Ayodhya.
• Makhauda Dham (20 km) → Dasharatha Yagna
• Ram Janambhoomi → Rama incarnating
• Dashrath Mahal → Rama growing up
• Kanak Bhavan → Rama-Sita staying
• Mani Parvat → Sita sporting
• Dashrath Samadhi (15 km) → Samadhi by Bharata
• Nandigram Bharat Kund (14 km) → Bharata ruling with Rama padukas
• Ratna Simhasan or Rajgaddi → Rama getting coronated
• Sahashradhara or Lakshman Ghat → Lakshmana returning to divine abode
• Swargadwar Ghat → Rama returning to divine abode
• Guptar Ghat (14 km) → Rama returning to divine abode
• Kaleram Temple → Orginal Ram Janambhoomi idol
• Tretanathji Temple
• Valmiki Ramayan Bhavan
• Janaura (7 km)
• Sonkhar
• Varaha Kshetra (outskirts)

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Vishnu & Ayodhya:
(Skanda Purana - Ayodhya Mahatmya)
- Lord Vishnu abides in Ayodhya as Sapta Hari (Vishnuhari and others).
(1) Vishnuhari → Vishnu Sharma performing penance
(2) Chandrahari → Chandra deva performing penance
(3) Dharmahari → Dharma dancing in ecstasy
(4) Chakrahari → Chakra of Vishnu falling
(5) Guptahari (14 km) → Vishnu performing penance secretly
(6) Bilvahari
(7) Punyahari

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Shiva & Ayodhya:
- Lord Shiva abides in Ayodhya as Nageshwarnath, originally established by Kusha (son of Sri Rama).
• Nageshwarnath → Established by Kusha

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Devi & Ayodhya:
- Devi abides in Ayodhya as Choti DevKali, who is the Girija Devi brought by Devi Sita from Mithila.
- Devi abides in Ayodhya as Badi DevKali, who is the Kuldevi of the ancestors of Sri Rama.
• Choti DevKali → Girija Devi of Sita
• Vidya Devi Kund (2.5 km)
• Badi DevKali (5 km) → Kuldevi of the ancestors of Sri Rama

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Hanuman & Ayodhya:
- Bhakta Hanuman attended the coronation ceremony of Sri Rama in Ayodhya along with Sugreeva and other Vanaras.
- Bhakta Hanuman guarded Ramkot of Ayodhya (the ancient Fort of Ayodhya).
• Hanuman Garhi → Protecting Ramkot

Others:
• Matgajendra
• Sugreev Tila
• Angad Tila

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Surya & Ayodhya:
(Skanda Purana - Ayodhya Mahatmya)
- Surya deva cured king Ghosha (of Solar race) of his disease in Ayodhya.
• Surya Kund → Surya curing king Ghosha

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Vasishtha & Ayodhya:
- Sage Vasishtha had his hermitage in Ayodhya, being the kulaguru of the Ikshwaku dynasty.
• Vasishtha Kund → Hermitage

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Rishyashringa & Ayodhya:
- Sage Rishyashringa presided over the Putrakameshti Yagna of king Dasharatha near Ayodhya.
• Makhauda Dham → Dasharatha Yagna

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Tulsidas (1532 - 1623 CE) & Ayodhya:
- Sri Tulsidas started composing the Ramcharitmanas in Ayodhya on the day of Rama Navami.
• Tulsi Udyan → Composing Ramcharitmanas

1. Ram Ghat: An old ghat. River Sarayu has receded from here.
2. Janaki Ghat: An old ghat. River Sarayu has receded from here.
3. Vasudev or Vasudeo Ghat: An old ghat. River Sarayu has receded from here. Associated with the event of Vaivasvata Manu and Matsya Avatara of Lord Vishnu. The Temple of Dharmahari is in the neighbourhood of this area (Chitragupta Temple).


4. Naya Ghat or Dharmaraj Ghat: Sarayu Aarti is held here.
   
5. Ahilyabai Ghat: Sri Rama performed a yagna in this place. The Temple of Tretanathji (Treta Ke Thakur) is near this ghat.
6. Nageshwarnath Ghat: The Temple of Nageshwarnathji is near this ghat.


7. Swargadwara Ghat and Chandrahari Ghat: Sri Rama returned to his divine abode. Chandra deva performed penance. The Temple of Chandrahari is near this ghat.
8. Lakshman Ghat or Sahashradhara: Sri Lakshmana returned to his divine abode. The Temple of Lakshmanji is near this ghat.
9. Papamochana Ghat (Gola Ghat): Brahmin Narahari became free of sins. There is a Temple of Sri Rama known as Papamochana Temple in this ghat.
10. Rinamochana Ghat: Sage Lomasha became free of debts. Devotees bathe to get free of the three debts of life.


11. Raj Ghat: Statue of Jain Teerthankara Rishabhadeva. Temple of Sita-Rama.
12. Brahma Kunda Ghat: Lord Brahma worshipped Lord Vishnu.
13. Prahlad Ghat
14. Chakra Teertha Ghat and Vishnuhari Ghat: Brahmin Vishnu Sharma performed penance here. There is a new Temple of Vishnuhari near this ghat.


15. Guptar Ghat: Lord Vishnu performed penance secretly for increasing the strength of the devas. The Temple of Chakrahari and Guptahari is near this ghat.
16. Nirmala Kund Ghat

► Ayodhya - Makhauda Dham (around 20 km from Ayodhya)
(Basti district, Uttar Pradesh)

Makhauda Dham is identified with the place where king Dasharatha performed the Putrakameshti Yagna.

► Ayodhya - Ram Janambhoomi
(Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh)
(near Hanuman Garhi in Ayodhya)

Ram Janambhoomi is identified with the place where Sri Rama incarnated in Ayodhya.

► Ayodhya - Dashrath Mahal
(Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh)
(near Hanuman Garhi in Ayodhya)

Dashrath Mahal is identified with the palace of king Dasharahtha in Ayodhya. Sri Rama grew up during childhood in this palace. There is a temple of Darshaneshwar Mahadev within this palace.

Other Places:
► Kaikeyi Bhavan (Palace of queen Kaikeyi)
► Kop Bhavan (Where queen Kaikeyi displayed her anger)
► Sumitra Bhavan (Palace of queen Sumitra)
► Sita Kup or Jnan Kup (Waters of this Kup was used during religious festivals)
► Ram Gurupith Vidya Sthali (Where Sri Rama did his schooling)
► Datun Kund or Dantadhavan Kund (Where Sri Rama brushed his teeth) (near Hanuman Garhi)

► Ayodhya - Kanak Bhavan
(Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh)
(near Dashrath Mahal in Ayodhya)

Kanak Bhavan is identified with the palace where Sita-Rama stayed after marriage in Ayodhya. This is one the main temples of Ayodhya and is quite large. There is a bigger image of Sita-Rama on the simhasan and a smaller image before it. The smaller image is said to be the ancient image. This temple was built by the king of Orchha.

Other Places:
► Sita Rasoi (Sita Rasoi is identified with the kitchen of Devi Sita where she fed king Dashratha and the four brothers after marriage.)

► Ayodhya - Choti DevKali Temple
(Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh)
(close to Ram Ki Paidi series of Ghats on river Sarayu)

Choti DevKali Temple is identified with the temple where Devi Sita worshipped goddess Girija Devi. Devi Sita brought the image of Girija Devi to Ayodhya after her marriage. King Dasharatha built a temple for Girija Devi. The temple now houses the image of DevKali. The word Choti is prefixed to differentiate it from another DevKali temple in Ayodhya known as Badi DevKali.

► Ayodhya - Mani Parvat
(Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh)
(around 2.5 km from Hanuman Garhi)

Mani Parvat is identified with the place where Devi Sita sported with her companions. Mani Parvat is a hill. The beautiful view of Ayodhya can be enjoyed from this hill. There is a shrine with the images of Sita-Ram. Lord Buddha is also said to have meditated in Mani Parvat. There are some remains of the ancient Buddhist monasteries here.

► Ayodhya - Dashrath Samadhi
(Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh)
(around 15 km from Ayodhya)

Dashrath Samadhi is identified with the place where Bharata performed the last rites of king Dasharatha (when Sri Rama was in forest exile).

► Ayodhya - Nandigram (Bharat Kund)
(Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh)
(around 25 km from Ayodhya)

Nandigram is identified with Nandigrama mentioned in the Valmiki Ramayana from where Bharat ruled the kingdom with the padukas of Sri Rama. There is a Bharat Kund in Nandigram.

► Ayodhya - Ratna Simhasan or Rajgaddi
(Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh)
(near Kanak Bhavan)

Ratna Simhasan or Rajgaddi is identified with the place where Sri Rama got coronated after returning from forest exile.

► Ayodhya - Sahashradhara or Lakshman Ghat
(Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh)
(within the Ram ki Paidi series of Ghats in Ayodhya)

Sahashradhara or Lakshman Ghat is identified with the place from where Sri Lakshmana returned to his divine abode.

► Ayodhya - Swargadwar Ghat and Chandrahari Temple
(Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh)
(within the Ram ki Paidi series of Ghats in Ayodhya)

Swargadwar Ghat is identified with the place from where Sri Rama returned to his divine abode, and where Chandra deva performed penance subsequently.

► Ayodhya - Guptar Ghat
(Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh)
(around 14 km from Ayodhya)

Guptar Ghat is identified with the place from where Sri Rama bestowed higher abodes to the residents of Ayodhya.

► Ayodhya - Kaleram Temple
(Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh)

(It is said that this is the orginal Ram Janambhoomi idol when Babar destroyed the temple)

► Janaura or Janakaura

Janaura is identified with the place where King Janaka camped when he came to Ayodhya

Other Places:
► Ram Gurupith Vidya Sthali (Where Sri Rama did his schooling)
► Datun Kund or Dantadhavan Kund (Where Sri Rama brushed his teeth)
► Tretanathji or Treta ke Thakur Temple
► Lakshman Mandir

► Ayodhya - Hanuman Garhi
(Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh)
(around 1 km from the railway station and 1.5 km from Sarayu Ghat)

After the coronation of Sri Rama, Hanmanji is believed to have stayed back and guarded Ramkot (the ancient Fort of Ayodhya). Hanuman Garhi is a Fort-Temple of Sri Hanumanji on a hillock. The pilgrims need to ascend around 60 steps to reach the shrine. There is an image of Hanumanji in a sitting posture. There is another small image of Hanumanji which is only 6 inches in height and is always covered by flowers. The archway at the base of the steps is beautiful. There are houses built around four sides of the temples for sadhus. Previously many sadhus used to stay here and meditate in this place. Hanuman Garhi is a very popular temple of Ayodhya. Pilgrims often have the darshan of Hanumanji before visiting other temples of Sri Rama.

Other places:
► Mattagajendra or Matgajendra (Matgajendra is the elder son of Vibhisana who guarded Ramkot and is considered as the Kotwal of Ayodhya)
► Sugreev Tila
► Angad Tila

► Ayodhya - Vishnuhari Temple
(Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh)

The Temple of Vishnuhari is in the Chakra Teertha Ghat of Ayodhya.

► Ayodhya - Swargadwar Ghat and Chandrahari Temple
(Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh)
(within the Ram ki Paidi series of Ghats in Ayodhya)

Swargadwar Ghat is identified with the place from where Sri Rama returned to his divine abode, and where Chandra deva performed penance subsequently.

► Ayodhya - Dharmahari Temple
(Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh)

The shrine of Dharmahari is within the Chitragupta Temple of Ayodhya (behind the Vasudev Ghat road).

► Ayodhya - Chakrahari and Guptahari Temple
(Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh)

The Guptahari Temple is in Guptar Ghat, around 14 km from Ayodhya. The shrine of Chakrahari is within the Guptahari Temple.

► Ayodhya - Chakrahari and Guptahari Temple
(Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh)

The Guptahari Temple is in Guptar Ghat, around 14 km from Ayodhya. The shrine of Chakrahari is within the Guptahari Temple.

► Ayodhya - Bilvahari
(Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh)

► Ayodhya - Punyahari
(Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh)

► Ayodhya - Vasudev or Vasudeo Ghat
(Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh)

The Vasudev or Vasudeo Ghat is associated with the legend of Matsya Avatara of Lord Vishnu. River Sarayu has receded and there is no Ghat at present.

► Ayodhya - Nageshwarnath Temple
(Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh)
(Close to Ram Ki Paidi ghats; Kaleram Temple is behind it)

Nageshwarnath Temple is a very old temple of Lord Shiva in Ayodhya. According to legend, Kusha the son of Sri Rama himself had built the original Nageshwarnath Temple. This temple is one of the main structures which survived the ravages of time till king Vikramaditya arrived in Ayodhya. Seeing this temple and getting guidance from saints, the king rebuilt Ayodhya. (The Kaleram Temple is close to Nageshwarnath Temple. The Kaleram Temple is said to have preserved the original Ram Janambhoomi Temple Idol when the temple was destroyed by Babar)

► Ayodhya - Choti DevKali Temple
(Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh)
(close to Ram Ki Paidi series of Ghats on river Sarayu)

Choti DevKali Temple is identified with the temple where Devi Sita worshipped goddess Girija Devi. Devi Sita brought the image of Girija Devi to Ayodhya after her marriage. King Dasharatha built a temple for Girija Devi. The temple now houses the image of DevKali. The word Choti is prefixed to differentiate it from another DevKali temple in Ayodhya known as Badi DevKali.

► Ayodhya - Badi DevKali Temple
(Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh)
(around 5 km from Hanuman Garhi)

Badi DevKali is the Kuldevi of the ancestors of Sri Rama.

► Ayodhya - Devi Sarayu Temple
(Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh)
(At Rama ki Paidi ghats)

The Rama ki Paidi ghats have a temple of Devi Sarayu.

► Ayodhya - Surya Kund
(Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh)
(around 8 km from Ayodhya)

Surya Kund is identified with Ghosharka Kunda mentioned in Ayodhya Mahatmya. There is a big Temple Tank surrounded by Ghats on all four sides. On the west is a temple of Surya Narayana. Surya deva was the kuldeva of the Ikshwaku kings.

► Ayodhya - Sonkhar
(outskirts of Ayodhya)

Sonkhar is identified with Swarnakhani where Sri Kubera showered gold for king Raghu.

► Ayodhya - Varaha Kshetra
(around 40 km from Ayodhya)

Varaha Kshetra is a sacred place on the outskirts of Ayodhya at the confluence of rivers Sarayu and Ghagra. There is a temple of Lord Varaha in that place. It is said that Sri Tulsidasji heard about the deeds of Sri Rama from his gurudev in this place.

► Ayodhya - Vasishtha Kund
(Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh)

Vasishtha Kund is identified with the place where the hermitage of sage Vasishtha was located. This is the place where Sri Rama studied in the gurukula of sage Vasishtha.

► Ayodhya - Makhauda Dham (around 20 km from Ayodhya)
(Basti district, Uttar Pradesh)

Makhauda Dham is identified with the place where king Dasharatha performed the Putrakameshti Yagna.

► Ayodhya - Tulsi Udyan or Tulsi Chaura
(Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh)
(around 1.3 km from Hanuman Garhi)

Tulsi Udyan or Tulsi Chaura is identified with the place from where Goswami Tulsidasji started the composition of Ramcharitmanas.