Shringverpur (Shringaverapura)

• Meditation: I meditate on Sri Rama served by Guha at Shringverpur.

• Greatness: Shringverpur is the place where Sri Rama visited during his forest exile and met Guha. Sri Rama stayed there for one night and was served by Guha. At Shringaverapura Sri Rama sent back Sumantra with his chariot to start his journey on foot. Then he made his hair matted with the latex of the banyan tree. Thus he embraced the vow of ascetic life in Shringaverapura. He removed his matted hairs only in Ayodhya during his coronation after fourteen years. Sri Rama crossed river Ganga at Shringaverapura on the boat arranged by Guha. Guha also arranged for the kewat or boatman. The kewat was also a devotee of Sri Rama and served him. Shringaverapura is also the place of sage Shringi who performed the Putrakamesthi yagna of king Dasharatha.

• Puranic Events:

1. Sri Rama & Guha: Sri Rama visited Shringverpur during his forest exile and was served by Guha (Nishadraj). Sri Rama spent a night there. (Valmiki Ramayana)
- Note: The place where Sri Rama slept under the tree is known as Sri Ram Sayan Ashram. There is a temple of Sita-Rama-Lakshmana there and an old tree.

2. Sri Rama & Kewat: Sri Rama crossed river Ganga at Shringaverapura on the boat arranged by Guha. Guha also arranged for the kewat or boatman. The kewat was also a devotee of Sri Rama and served him. (Valmiki Ramayana)
- Note: Ram Chaura Ghat is the place from where Sri Rama crossed the river Ganga.

3. Devi Sita & Shringaverapur: While crossing river Ganga, Devi Sita prayed to river Ganga for protection so that they can safely return after forest exile. She vowed to worship her along with the gods dwelling on her banks.
- Note: Sita Kunda at Shringaverapur is the place where Devi Sita worshipped river Ganga.

4. Sage Shringi & Shringaverapur: Shringaverapura is also the place of sage Shringi who performed the Putrakamesthi yagna of king Dasharatha.
- Note: There is a temple of Shringi Rishi which is one of the important places in Shringverpur. The temple has the images of Shringi Rishi, his wife Shanta Devi and Sitala Devi. Shanta Devi is believed to be the daughter of king Dasharatha.

• Places to See:

1. Sri Ram Sayan Ashram:

• Sri Rama camping on the bank of river Ganga: At Shringverpur, Sri Rama spent a night on the bank of river Ganga under a huge Ingudi tree. Lakshmana and Guha kept guard for the whole night. The Ram Sayan Ashram is identified with the place where Sri Rama spent a night at Shringverpur.

2. Ram Chaura Ghat:

• Sri Rama crossing river Ganga: The Ram Chaura Ghat is identfied with the place where Sri Rama crossed river Ganga. Kewat worshipped the feet of Sri Rama here and drank the charanamrita.

3. Shringi Rishi temple:

• Shringi Rishi performing sadhana: The name Shringverpur is said to be derived from the presence of Shringi Rishi in that place. The excavation work carried there revealed the remnants of the temple of Shringi Rishi. It is believed that Shringi Rishi performed sadhana in that place. There is a temple of Shringi Rishi with his image along with the images of Shanta Devi (wife) and Devi Sitala.

• Sacred Geography:
- River Ganga

• Location: Shringverpur is located in the Prayagraj district of Uttar Pradesh. Shringverpur can be visited from Prayagraj (35 km), Ayodhya (170 km) and Varanasi (155 km).

Bharatavarsha - The Land of Gods and Sages:

1. Stotras
2. Scriptures
3. Pilgrimages
4. Festivals
5. Saints: Ramakrishna - Vivekananda - Ramana
6. Sadhana
7. Sanskrit
8. Nature