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Ayodhya Kshetra - Moksha Puri (Ayodhya) - Pilgrimages and Temples

• Meditation:

► Ram Janambhoomi: I meditate on Sri Rama incarnating in Ayodhya, growing up in Ayodhya, getting coronated in Ayodhya, ruling the kingdom from Ayodhya, and finally returning to his divine abode from Ayodhya.
► Saptahari: I meditate on Hari abiding in Ayodhya in different forms (Vishnuhari, Dharmahari, Chandrahari, Chakrahari, Guptahari).

• Greatness:

Ayodhya Kshetra - Moksha Puri (Ayodhya):

Sri Rama

Ayodhya (Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh):
▬ River Sarayu flows (Aarti)
▬ River Tamasa flows

◍ Temples:
• Rama: Ram Janambhoomi, Dashrath Mahal, Kanak Bhavan, Rajgaddi, Mani Parvat, Tretanathji Temple, Kaleram Temple, Lakshman Mandir, Bharat Kund
Hanuman: Hanuman Garhi
• Sapta Hari: (1) Vishnuhari, (2) Chandrahari, (3) Dharmahari, (4) Chakrahari, (5) Guptahari (10 km), (6) Bilvahari, (7) Punyahari
• Varaha: Varaha Kshetra (outskirts)
• Shiva: Nageshwarnathji
• Devi: Choti DevKali, Vidya Devi Kund (2.5 km), Badi DevKali (5 km)
• Surya: Surya Kund (4 km)
• Others: Matgajendra, Sugreev Tila, Angad Tila, Valmiki Ramayan Bhavan, Makhauda Dham (20 km), Dashrath Samadhi (15 km), Janaura (7 km), Sonkhar
• Sarayu Ghats: Lakshman Ghat, Swargadwar Ghat, Guptar Ghat (Ram ki Paidi)
• Sages: Vasishtha Kund
• Saints: Tulsi Udyan

◍ Greatness:

1. Attributes:
• Moksha Puri: Ayodhya is one of the seven Moksha Puris.
• Divya Desam: Ayodhya is a Divya Desam (Thiru Ayodhi).

2. Presence of Sri Rama in Ayodhya:
(1) King Dasharatha performed the Putrakameshthi Yagna near Ayodhya. (Makhauda Dham)
(2) Sri Rama incarnated in Ayodhya. (Ram Janambhoomi)
(3) Sri Rama grew up in Ayodhya. (Dashrath Mahal etc.)
(4) Sri Rama stayed with Devi Sita in Ayodhya after marriage. (Kanak Bhavan) (Choti DevKali) (Mani Parvat)
(5) Sri Rama departed for forest exile from Ayodhya.
(6) Sri Bharata ruled with padukas of Sri Rama from Nandigrama near Ayodhya. (Dashrath Samadhi) (Nandigram)
(7) Sri Rama sent Hanuman to meet Bharata at Nandigrama while returning from forest exile. (Nandigram)
(8) Sri Rama met Bharata at Nandigram after returning from forest exile. (Nandigram)
(9) Sri Rama got coronated in Ayodhya after returning from forest exile. (Rajgaddi)
(10) Sri Rama ruled his kingdom from Ayodhya for 11000 years.
(11) Sri Lakshmana returned to his divine abode from Ayodhya. (Lakshman Ghat)
(12) Sri Rama returned to his divine abode from Ayodhya. (Swargadwar Ghat)
(13) Bhakta Hanuman stayed back as per the instruction of Sri Rama.
(14) Sri Rama as Lord Vishnu bestowed higher abodes to the residents of Ayodhya. (Guptar Ghat)

3. Presence of Lord Vishnu in Ayodhya:
(1) Vishnuhari: Brahmin Vishnu Sharma performed penance in Ayodhya. (Vishnuhari)
(2) Chandrahari: Chandradeva performed penance in Ayodhya. (Chandrahari)
(3) Dharmahari: Brahmin Dharma danced in spiritual ecstasy in Ayodhya. (Dharmahari)
(4) Chakrahari: The Chakra of Lord Vishnu fell in Ayodhya. (Chakrahari)
(5) Guptahari: Lord Vishnu performed penance secretly in Ayodhya. (Guptahari)
- Lord Brahma created a kunda and worshipped Lord Vishnu in Ayodhya (Brahma Kund).

4. Presence of Lord Shiva in Ayodhya:
• Ayodhya Mahatmya mentions about places associated with Lord Shiva in Ayodhya.

5. Presence of Devi in Ayodhya:
• Ayodhya Mahatmya mentions about places associated with Devi in Ayodhya.

6. Presence of devas in Ayodhya:
• King Ghosha of Solar race worshipped Surya deva in Ayodhya. (Surya Kund)
• Kubera showered gold for king Raghu in Ayodhya. (Sonkhar)

◍ Sages:
• Sage Chyavana had his ashrama in Ayodhya on the bank of river Tamasa.
• Sage Gautama had his ashrama in Ayodhya on the bank of river Tamasa.
• Sage Lomasha worshipped Lord Vishnu in Ayodhya and getting free of his debts (Rinamochana Tirtha).
• Sage Mandavya had his ashrama in Ayodhya on the bank of river Tamasa.
• Sage Parashara had his ashrama in Ayodhya on the bank of river Tamasa.
• Sage Rishyashringa performed the Putrakamesthi Yagna of king Dasharatha near Ayodhya. (Makhauda Dham)
• Sage Vasishtha had his ashrama in Ayodhya. (Vasishtha Kund)

◍ Saints:
• Alvars (5th - 9th CE) visited and eulogized Ayodhya (Divya Desam).
• Sri Tulsidas (1532 - 1623 CE) started composing the Ramcharitmanas in Ayodhya. (Tulsi Udyan)

◍ Puranic References:
• Valmiki Ramayana:
- Bala Kanda - 8 to 15 (About Yagnas of king Dasharatha near Ayodhya)
- Bala Kanda - 11 to 18 (About incarnation of Sri Rama in Ayodhya)
- Yuddha Kanda - 128 (About coronation of Sri Rama in Ayodhya)
• Skanda Purana - Ayodhya Mahatmya (About the greatness of Ayodhya)
• Stotras: Sapta Mokshapuri Sloka (About Ayodhya as a Mokshapuri)
• Festivals: Rama Navami (Chaitra Shulka Paksha Navami) (Sri Rama incarnated in Ayodhya)

• Places to See:

Temples of Sri Rama in Ayodhya:
(1) King Dasharatha performed the Putrakameshthi Yagna near Ayodhya. (Makhauda Dham)
► Makhauda Dham (Ayodhya outskirts) (Basti district, Uttar Pradesh) (around 20 km from Ayodhya) Makhauda Dham is identified with the place where king Dasharatha performed the Putrakameshti Yagna.
(2) Sri Rama incarnated in Ayodhya. (Ram Janambhoomi)
► Ram Janambhoomi (Ayodhya) (Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh) (near Hanuman Garhi in Ayodhya) Ram Janambhoomi is identified with the place where Sri Rama incarnated in Ayodhya.
(3) Sri Rama grew up in Ayodhya. (Dashrath Mahal etc.)
► Dashrath Mahal (Ayodhya) (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. ► Kaikeyi Bhavan Kaikeyi Bhavan is identified with the palace of queen Kaikeyi. ► Kop Bhavan Kop Bhavan is identified with the palace where queen Kaikeyi displayed her anger and sent Sri Rama to forest exile. ► Sumitra Bhavan Sumitra Bhavan is identified with the palace of queen Sumitra. ► Sita Kup or Jnan Kup Sita Kup is a well. It is said that the waters of this Kup was used during all religious festivals of Ayodhya. ► Ram Gurupith Vidya Sthali Ram Gurupith Vidya Sthali is identified with the place where Sri Rama did his schooling. ► Datun Kund or Dantadhavan Kund (near Hanuman Garhi) Datun Kund or Dantadhavan Kund is identified with the place where Sri Rama brushed his teeth.
(4) Sri Rama stayed with Devi Sita in Ayodhya after marriage. (Kanak Bhavan) (Choti DevKali) (Mani Parvat)
► Kanak Bhavan (Ayodhya) (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. ► Sita Rasoi Sita Rasoi is identified with the kitchen of Devi Sita where she fed king Dashratha and the four brothers after marriage.
► Choti DevKali Temple (Ayodhya) (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.
► Mani Parvat (Ayodhya) (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.
(5) Sri Rama departed for forest exile from Ayodhya.

(6) Sri Bharata ruled with padukas of Sri Rama from Nandigrama near Ayodhya. (Dashrath Samadhi) (Nandigram)
(7) Sri Rama sent Hanuman to meet Bharata at Nandigrama while returning from forest exile. (Nandigram)
(8) Sri Rama met Bharata at Nandigram after returning from forest exile. (Nandigram)
► Dashrath Samadhi (Ayodhya) (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).
► Nandigram (Bharat Kund) (Ayodhya) (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.
(9) Sri Rama got coronated in Ayodhya after returning from forest exile. (Rajgaddi)
► Ratna Simhasan or Rajgaddi (Ayodhya) (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.
(10) Sri Rama ruled his kingdom from Ayodhya for 11000 years.
(11) Sri Lakshmana returned to his divine abode from Ayodhya. (Lakshman Ghat)
► Sahashradhara or Lakshman Ghat (Ayodhya) (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.
(12) Sri Rama returned to his divine abode from Ayodhya. (Swargadwar Ghat)
► Swargadwar Ghat and Chandrahari Temple (Ayodhya) (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.
(13) Bhakta Hanuman stayed back as per the instruction of Sri Rama.

(14) Sri Rama as Lord Vishnu bestowed higher abodes to the residents of Ayodhya. (Guptar Ghat)
► Guptar Ghat (Ayodhya) (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.
• Other places associated with Sri Rama in Ayodhya:
► Tretanathji or Treta ke Thakur Temple ► Kaleram Temple (near Nageshwarnathji Temple) Kaleram Temple is an old temple of Sri Rama containing his idol curved out of black stone (Ram Panchatayana). It is said that this idol was preserved by the pujaris when the original Ram Janambhoomi temple was destroyed by Babar. ► Janaura or Janakaura (around 11 km from Ayodhya) Janaura or Janakaura is identified with the place where king Janaka camped when he came to Ayodhya. There is a tank named Girija Kund with a temple of Lord Shiva near it. ► Valmiki Ramayan Bhavan ► Ram Katha Sangrhalay

Temples of Bhakta Hanuman in Ayodhya:
► Hanuman Garhi (Ayodhya) (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.
► Mattagajendra or Matgajendra (Ayodhya) (Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh) (near Matgajendra Chauraha) Mattagajendra or Matgajendra is identified with the place from where Matgajendra, the elder son of Vibhisana guarded Ramkot (the ancient Fort of Ayodhya). Matgajendra is considered as the Kotwal of Ayodhya. It is said that by having darshan of Matgajendra, obstacles of the devotees get removed.
► Sugreev Tila
► Angad Tila

Temples of Lord Vishnu in Ayodhya:
(1) Vishnuhari: Brahmin Vishnu Sharma performed penance in Ayodhya. (Vishnuhari)
► Vishnuhari Temple (Ayodhya) (Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh) The Temple of Vishnuhari is in the Chakra Tirtha Ghat of Ayodhya.
(2) Chandrahari: Chandradeva performed penance in Ayodhya. (Vishnuhari)
► Swargadwar Ghat and Chandrahari Temple (Ayodhya) (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.
(3) Dharmahari: Brahmin Dharma danced in spiritual ecstasy in Ayodhya. (Dharmahari)
► Dharmahari Temple (Ayodhya) (Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh) The shrine of Dharmahari is within the Chitragupta Temple of Ayodhya (behind the Vasudev Ghat road).
(4) Chakrahari: The Chakra of Lord Vishnu fell in Ayodhya. (Chakrahari)
(5) Guptahari: Lord Vishnu performed penance secretly in Ayodhya. (Guptahari)
► Chakrahari and Guptahari Temple (Ayodhya) (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.
► Bilvahari
► Punyahari
• Other Places associated with Lord Vishnu in Ayodhya:
► Vasudev or Vasudeo Ghat 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.

Temples of Lord Shiva in Ayodhya:
► Nageshwarnath Temple (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)

Temples of Lord Shiva in Ayodhya:

► Nageshwarnath Temple
(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)

Temples of Devi in Ayodhya:
► Choti DevKali Temple (Ayodhya) (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.
► Badi DevKali Temple (around 5 km from Hanuman Garhi) Badi DevKali is the Kuldevi of the ancestors of Sri Rama.
► Devi Sarayu Temple (At Rama ki Paidi ghats) The Rama ki Paidi ghats have a temple of Devi Sarayu.

Temples of devas in Ayodhya:
• King Ghosha of Solar race worshipped Surya deva in Ayodhya. (Surya Kund)
► Surya Kund (Ayodhya) (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.
• Kubera showering gold for king Raghu in Ayodhya. (Sonkhar)
► Sonkhar (Ayodhya outskirts) (outskirts of Ayodhya) Sonkhar is identified with Swarnakhani where Sri Kubera showered gold for king Raghi.

River Sarayu Ghats in Ayodhya:
Ram Ghat: An old ghat. River Sarayu has receded from here. Janaki Ghat: An old ghat. River Sarayu has receded from here. 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). Naya Ghat or Dharmaraj Ghat: Sarayu Aarti is held here. Ahilyabai Ghat: Sri Rama performed a yagna in this place. The Temple of Tretanathji (Treta Ke Thakur) is near this ghat. Nageshwarnath Ghat: The Temple of Nageshwarnathji is near this ghat. Swargadwara Ghat and Chandrahari Ghat: Sri Rama returned to his divine abode. Chandra deva performed penance. The Temple of Chandrahari is near this ghat. Lakshman Ghat or Sahashradhara: Sri Lakshmana returned to his divine abode. The Temple of Lakshmanji is near this ghat. Papamochana Ghat (Gola Ghat): Brahmin Narahari became free of sins. There is a Temple of Sri Rama known as Papamochana Temple in this ghat. Rinamochana Ghat: Sage Lomasha became free of debts. Devotees bathe to get free of the three debts of life. Raj Ghat: Statue of Jain Tirthankara Rishabhadeva. Temple of Sita-Rama. Brahma Kunda Ghat: Lord Brahma worshipped Lord Vishnu. Prahlad Ghat Chakra Tirtha Ghat and Vishnuhari Ghat: Brahmin Vishnu Sharma performed penance here. There is a new Temple of Vishnuhari near this ghat. Guptar Ghat: Lord Vishnu performed penance secretly for increasing the strength of the devas. The Temple of Chakrahari and Guptahari is near this ghat. Nirmala Kund Ghat

River Sarayu Ghats in Ayodhya:

Ram Ghat: An old ghat. River Sarayu has receded from here.
Janaki Ghat: An old ghat. River Sarayu has receded from here.
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).

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

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

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

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

Temples of Lord Varaha near 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.

Temples of Sages in Ayodhya:
• Sage Vasishtha had his ashrama in Ayodhya. (Vasishtha Kund)
► Vasishtha Kund Sage Vasishtha, who was the Kulaguru of Sri Rama had his Ashram in Ayodhya.

Temples of Saints in Ayodhya:
• Sri Tulsidas (1532 - 1623 CE) started composing the Ramcharitmanas in Ayodhya. (Tulsi Udyan)
► Tulsi Udyan or Tulsi Chaura (Ayodhya) (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.

• Places Map:

Fig 1: Ayodhya - Places within city

Fig 2: Ayodhya - Places around city

• Location:

• Ayodhya is located in the Ayodhya district of Uttar Pradesh. Ayodhya can be visited from:

Lucknow (135 km)
Gorakhpur (135 km)
Prayagraj (170 km)
Varanasi (220 km)

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