Skanda Purana - Ayodhya Mahatmya

1. Chakra Tirtha and Vishnuhari:

(Skanda Purana - Ayodhya Mahatmya - 1)

• I meditate on brahmin Vishnu Sharma performing penance at Chakra Tirtha of Ayodhya and getting the darshan of Lord Vishnu.

• Brahmin Vishnu Sharma performed austere penance in Ayodhya worshipping Lord Vishnu and reciting the Dwadasakshari Mantra (Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya) for three years. One day when the brahmin eulogized Lord Vishnu, the Lord appeared before him and gave him the boon. The Lord created a Tirtha there with his Sudarshana Chakra and brought the waters of river Ganges. This Tirtha became known as Chakra Tirtha. Vishnu Sharma established an image of the Lord there for worship after his name. The image became known as Vishnuhari.

• Annual festival: Karthika Shukla Dashami to Poornima

2. Brahma Kunda: (East of Chakra Tirtha)

(Skanda Purana - Ayodhya Mahatmya - 2)

• I meditate on Lord Brahma worshipping Lord Vishnu at Brahma Kunda of Ayodhya.

• Lord Brahma heard that Lord Vishnu is stationed in Ayodhya. He came there and performed its pilgrimage. Then he created a Kunda and worshipped Lord Vishnu. The Kunda became known as Brahma Kunda. The devas took bath in that Kunda and became pure. They asked about it to Lord Brahma in wonder. Lord Brahma narrated the glory of the Kunda to them.

• Annual festival: Karthika Shukla Chaturdasi

- Brahma Kunda (Skanda Purana - Ayodhya Mahatmya - 2)
- Brahma Kunda (Ghat) in Ayodhya (Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh)

3. Rinamochana Tirtha: (North-East of Brahma Kunda)

(Skanda Purana - Ayodhya Mahatmya - 2)

• I meditate on sage Lomasha taking bath in the Rinamochana Tirtha of Ayodhya and becoming free of debts.

• A sage named Lomasha came to Ayodhya and during his pilgrimage took bath in a Tirtha. After this bath he became free from his debts. He proclaimed the glory of the Tirtha which became known as Rinamochana Tirtha.

- Rinamochana Tirtha (Skanda Purana - Ayodhya Mahatmya - 2)
- Rinamochana Ghat in Ayodhya (Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh)
Rinamochana Ghat is the place where devotees bathe to get free of the three debts of life (Rina is debt and mochana is becoming free).

4. Papamochana Tirtha: (East of Rinamochana Tirtha)

(Skanda Purana - Ayodhya Mahatmya - 2)

• I meditate on brahmin Narahari taking bath in the Papamochana Tirtha of Ayodhya and becoming free of sins.

• A brahmin named Narahari fell in bad company and committed many sins in life. Once he came to Ayodhya in the company of some good people and took bath in a Tirtha. He became free from his sins and went to Vishnu Loka. The Tirtha became known as Papamochana Tirtha.

- Papamochana Tirtha (Skanda Purana - Ayodhya Mahatmya - 2)
- Papamochana Ghat in Ayodhya (Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh)
There is a temple of Sri Rama known as Papamochana Temple.

5. Sahashradhara Tirtha: (East of Papamochana Tirtha)

(Skanda Purana - Ayodhya Mahatmya - 2)

• I meditate on Sri Lakshmana returning to his divine abode from the Sahashradhara Tirtha of Ayodhya.

• When his time of departure came near, Sri Rama called Kala and discussed with him about his departure. He resolved to punish anyone who saw their discussion. During that time sage Durvasa came and asked for food immediately. Lakshmana informed Sri Rama (for the fear of the curse of the sage). Sri Rama sent away Kala and fed sage Durvasa extending his hospitality. As a punishment he abandoned Lakshmana. Lakshmana went to the bank of river Sarayu and after taking bath, meditated on the consciousness. Adisesha appeared there piercing the ground in thousand places. Indra and devas also appeared there. Indra told Lakshmana about his divine nature and narrated the glory of the Tirtha. Since Adisesha pierced the ground in thousand places and lit it with the crest-jewel of his hood, the place became known as Sahashradhara Tirtha. Indra took Lakshmana to his divine abode.

• Annual festival: Shravana Shukla Panchami
• Holy bath: Vaishakha

6. Swargadwara Tirtha and Chandrahari: (East of Sahashradhara Tirtha)

(Skanda Purana - Ayodhya Mahatmya - 3 and 6)

• I meditate on Sri Rama returning to his divine abode from the Swargadwara Tirtha of Ayodhya.

• I meditate on Chandra deva worshipping Lord Vishnu in the Swargadwara Tirtha of Ayodhya.

• When the time of departure arrived for Sri Rama, he adorned the dress of brahmachari, took Kusha grass in his hands and walked towards Swargadwara. His brothers followed him. The residents of Ayodhya followed him. The vanaras and rakshasas knowing of his departure through spies also followed him. Sri Rama instructed Vibhishana to stay back and rule the rakshasas. Sri Rama instructed Hanuman to stay back as long as the name of "Rama" is sung. Sri Rama instructed Mainda and Dwivida to stay back and guide the vanaras, since they are immortal. He told all the rest to follow him. The celestials watched this great departure from the heaven. When Sri Rama reached Swargadwara, Lord Brahma eulogized him as the Supreme Soul. Sri Rama abandoned his body and entered the abode of Vishnu (with his brothers). As Lord Vishnu, Sri Rama told Brahma to bestow higher Lokas to his followers who were devoted to him. Lord Brahma told about Santanika Loka which he decided to bestow them. When Lord Brahma said this, the waters of the Gopratara Tirtha reached Sarayu. The residents of Ayodhya abandoned their bodies and attained salvation. (Since Sri Rama departed to his divine abode in this Tirtha, it is known as Swargadwara Tirtha or the "Gateway to Heaven". It is a supreme tirtha where Snana, Dana and Dhyana attain great merit.).

• Knowing the greatness of Swargadwara, Chandradeva performed penance there and secured the grace of Lord Vishnu. Chandradeva installed an image of Lord Vishnu and worshipped it. The image became known as Chandrahari.
- Chandra Sahashra Vrata and Udyapana (performed when a man's life spans thousand moons, i.e. 83 years and 4 months)

7. Dharmahari: (South-East of Chandrahari)

(Skanda Purana - Ayodhya Mahatmya - 4)

• I meditate on brahmin Dharma dancing in ecstasy in Ayodhya and getting the darshan of Lord Vishnu.

• A brahmin named Dharma came to Ayodhya on pilgrimage. He was so filled with joy that he started proclaiming the glory of Ayodhya within himself saying "How great is this place!". Thereafter he started dancing in ecstasy meditating on Ayodhya. Lord Vishnu appeared before Dharma. Dharma started eulogizing the Lord. Lord Vishnu gave him a boon by which he installed the image of the Lord with his name. This image became known as Dharmahari.

• Annual festival: Asadha Shukla Ekadasi

• Holy bath: Taking bath in Swargadwara and visiting Dharmahari.

8. Swarnakhani: (South of Dharmahari)

(Skanda Purana - Ayodhya Mahatmya - 5)

• I meditate on Sri Kubera showering gold in Ayodhya for king Raghu.

• King Raghu, an ancestor of Sri Rama performed a Viswajit yagna in which he donated everything. Sage Kautsa came during that time and asked for gold from him to give guru dakshina to sage Vishwamitra. However, seeing that the king had given away everything in yagna, the sage decided to approach someone else. King Raghu told him to wait and went to conquer Kubera. Kubera out of fear showered a rain of gold in Ayodhya which became known as Swarnakhani. Kautsa took only whatever was required by him and blessed the king.

• Annual festival: Vaishakha Shukla Dwadasi

9. Sarayu - Tilodaki confluence (South of Swarnakhani):

• Sri Rama creating river Tilodaki: Sri Rama created river Tilodaki for his horses. Since its water was dark like gingelly seeds it became known as Tilodaki. The confluence of River Sarayu and River Tilodaki became a very sacred place.
• Annual festival: Bhadrapada Amavasya

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 5)

10. Sita Kunda (West of Sarayu-Tilodaki confluence):

• Devi Sita creating Kunda: Devi Sita created a Kunda. Sri Rama conferred great merit to it. The Kunda became known as Sita Kunda.
• Holy Bath: Margashirsha Krishna Chaturdashi

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 6)

11. Chakrahari and Guptahari: (Chakrahari is west of Vishnuhari) (Harismriti or Guptahari is west of Chakrahari)

(Skanda Purana - Ayodhya Mahatmya - 6)

• I meditate on Lord Vishnu who came to the bank of river Sarayu to perform penance secretly for increasing the strength of the devas.

• Once in a battle between the asuras and the devas, the asuras defeated the devas. The devas started fleeing. Hara stopped the devas and took them to Lord Vishnu in the milky ocean along with Brahma deva. There, Hara started eulogizing the Lord. Lord Vishnu became pleased and said that he will perform penance secretly to increase the strength of the devas. Thereafter the Lord came to the bank of river Sarayu to perform his penance. The place where the Chakra of the Lord fell became known as Chakrahari. The place where the Lord performed his penance secretly became known as Guptahari. Due to the penance of the Lord, the devas gained strength and defeated the asuras. Thereafter, the devas came to Guptahari and worshipped the Lord. Lord Vishnu granted them the boon of protection and narrated the glory of that place.

• Annual festival of Guptahari: Kathika (Poornima)

• Annual festival of Chakrahari: Margashirsha Shukla Ekadasi

12. Sarayu - Ghagara confluence (Near Guptahari and west of Gopratara Tirtha):

• Presence of Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva: The confluence of River Sarayu and River Ghagara is a very sacred place having many Tirthas. Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva are present there. The Suras, Siddhas and Yogins are also present there.
• Holy Bath: Poornima, Amavasya and Dwadashi
• Bath and Jagaran: Pausha Shukla Tryodashi

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 6)

13. Gopratara Tirtha: (East of Sarayu-Gharghara confluence)

(Skanda Purana - Ayodhya Mahatmya - 6)

• I meditate on Sri Rama bestowing higher Lokas to the residents of Ayodhya while returning to his divine abode.

• When the time of departure of Sri Rama came, he went to Swargadwara. The residents of Ayodhya as well as the vanaras and rakshasas devoted to him followed him. He gave up his body there and returned to the abode of Lord Vishnu. Thereafter, as Lord Vishnu Sri Rama told Brahmadeva to bestow higher Lokas to the residents of Ayodhya since they are devoted to him. Brahmadeva told that he will bestow them Santanika Loka. When Lord Brahma said this, the waters of the Gopratara Tirtha reached Sarayu. The residents gave up their bodies there and attained the higher Loka.

• Holy Bath: Karthika

14. Kshirodaka Tirtha (River Sarayu) (North-west of Sita Kunda):

• King Dashratha performing Putresthi yagna: To get a son, king Dasharatha performed the Putresthi yagna on the bank of river Sarayu. The Kratubhuk appeared during the yagna with the havis in a golden vessel. Since the havis of Ksheera emerged in this Tirtha it becomes known as Kshirodaka Tirtha.
• Holy Bath: Aashwina Shukla Ekadasi

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 7)

15. Brihaspati Kunda (South-west of Kshirodaka Tirtha):

• Brihaspati performing yagna: Brihaspati performed a yagna beside a Kunda which became known as Brihaspati Kunda. The devas took bath there.
• Annual festival: Bhadrapada Shukla Panchami
• Holy Bath: Thursday

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 7)

16. Rukmini Kunda (South of Brihaspati Kunda):

• Devi Rukmini creating Kunda: Devi Rukmini created a Kunda. Lord Vishnu conferred boon on it. This Kunda became known as Rukmini Kunda
• Annual festival: Karthika Krishna Navami

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 7)

17. Dhanayaksha Tirtha (North-west of Rukmini Kunda):

• Vishwamitra giving boon to a yaksha: Vishwamitra confiscated the wealth of king Harischandra and posted a yaksha to guard it. By his devoted service sage Vishwamitra became pleased and gave him two boons. First, he removed the foul smell of his body and second he made the Tirtha famous after his name. The Tirtha became known as Dhanayaksha Tirtha. The nine Nidhis are present in this Tirtha (Mahapadma, Padma, Sankha, Makara, Kacchapa, Mukunda, Kunda, Nila, Kharva)
• Annual festival: Magha Krishna Chaturdasi (Worship of Devi Lakshmi)

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 7)

18. Vasishtha Kunda (North of Dhanayaksha Tirtha):

• Presence of Vasishtha, Arundhati and Vamadeva: In Vasishtha Kunda sage Vasishtha is said to be present along with Devi Arundhati. Sage Vamadeva is also present.
• Annual festival: Bhadrapada Shukla Panchami

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 7)

19. Sagara Kunda (West of Vasishtha Kunda):

• Sacred: Sagara Kunda is considered as a very sacred place.
• Holy Bath: Aashwina Poornima (and Parvan days)

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 7)

20. Yogini Kunda (South-west of Sagara Kunda):

• Presence of sixty-four yoginis: In Yogini Kunda, sixty-four yoginis are present.
• Holy Bath: Aashwina Shukla Ashtami

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 7)

21. Urvashi Kunda (East of Yogini Kunda):

• Urvashi regaining beauty: Urvashi tried to disturb the penance of a sage named Raibhya in the Himalayas by seducing him (on the bidding of Indra). The sage cursed her and made her ugly. Urvashi asked for forgiveness and redemption from the curse. The sage told her to take bath in a Kunda in Ayodhya. After taking bath in that Kunda, Urvashi regained her beauty. The Kunda became known as Urvashi Kunda.
• Annual festival: Bhadrapada Shukla Tritiya

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 7)

22. Ghosharka Kunda: (South of Urvashi Kunda)

(Skanda Purana - Ayodhya Mahatmya - 7)

• I meditate on Surya deva who cured king Ghosha of his disease and endowed him with splendour when he took bath in the Ghosharka Kunda.

• King Ghosha of the Solar race went for hunting in the forest. His hands became infested with worms which is an inauspicious sign. The king became devoid of pride. With the guidance of holy men, he took bath in a Kunda. His body became full of divine splendour. King Ghosha eulogized the Sun God reciting its stotra. The Sun God appeared before him and gave him an idol for worshipping. King Ghosha installed that idol. The Kunda became known as Ghosharka Kunda.

• Holy Bath: Sundays, Bhadrapada or Magha Shukla Shasthi, Pausha Sundays specially on seventh day.

23. Rati Kunda (West of Ghosharka Kunda):

• Presence of Rati: Rati Kunda is the Kunda where one gets the blessings of Rati (the wife of Kamadeva).

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 8)

24. Kusumayudha Kunda (Kandarpa Kunda) (West of Rati Kunda):

• Presence of Kamadeva: Kusumayudha Kunda is the Kunda where one gets the blessings of Kamadeva.
• Holy Bath: Magha Shukla Panchami

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 8)

25. Mantreshwara Tirtha (West of Kusumayudha Kunda):

• Sri Rama taking bath before consulting Kala: Sri Rama took bath in this Tirtha before consulting Kala. Sri Rama also installed a Linga there. The Tirtha became known as Mantreshwara Tirtha.
• Annual festival: Chaitra Shukla Chturdashi

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 8)

26. Goddess Sitala (North of Mantreshwara):

• Presence of goddess Sitala: Goddess Sitala is worshipped to avert smallpox and other diseases.
• Worship: Mondays

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 8)

27. Goddess Bandi (North of goddess Sitala):

• Presence of goddess Bandi: Goddess Bandi is worshipped to become free from fetters or chains binding ones life.
• Festival: Tuesdays

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 8)

28. Goddess Chudaki (North of goddess Bandi):

• Presence of goddess Chudaki: Goddess Chudaki is worshipped to get Siddhis.
• Festival: Chaturdasi

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 8)

29. Maharatna Tirtha (East of goddess Chudaki):

• Sacred: Taking bath in Maharatna Tirtha confers great merit.
• Annual festival: Bhadrapada Krishna Chaturdashi

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 8)

30. Durbhara and Mahabhara lakes:

• Worshipping Shiva and Parvati: Shiva and Parvati is worshipped near the Durbhara and Mahabhara lakes.
• Worship: Bhadrapada Krishna Chaturdasi

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 8)

31. Mahavidya Tirtha (North-east of Durbhara):

• Presence of Vidya devi: One takes bath in Mahavidya Tirtha to attain knowledge (Vidyas).

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 8)

32. Siddhapitha or Siddhasthana:

• Presence of Siddhi devi: One performs Japa and other spiritual practices in Siddhapitha to attain Siddhis like Uccatana and Mohana, as well as Moksha.
• Monthly festivals: Eighth and Ninth days
• Pilgrimage: First nine days of Aashwina Shukla Paksha

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 8)

33. Dugdheshwara (Shiva) (Sita Kunda):

• Sri Rama obtaining Shiva Linga from milk of Kamadhenu: When Bharata came to receive Sri Rama after the forest exile, Kamadhenu also came there and shed milk. A Linga emerged from the milk and the milk flowed to a Kunda. The rakshasas and vanaras in surprise asked Sri Rama about it. Sri Rama asked sage Vasishtha. Sage Vasishtha told about Kamadhenu and the Linga of Shiva. Sri Rama worshipped that Linga. Since the Linga emerged from milk it became known as Dugdheshwara.
• Devi Sita honouring the Kunda of milk: Devi Sita honoured the Kunda where the milk flowed. The Kunda thus became known as Sita Kunda.
• Annual festival: Jyestha Chaturdasi

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 8)

34. Taponidhi Tirtha (East of Dugdheshwara):

• Sugreeva creating Tirtha: Sugreeva created the Taponidhi Tirtha.

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 8)

35. Hanumat Kunda (West of Taponidhi Tirtha):

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 8)

36. Vibhishana Saras (West of Hanumat Kunda):

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 8)

37. Gayakupa Tirtha (South-east of Jata Kunda):

• Shraddha: Amavasya on Monday, even on other Mondays

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 9)

38. Pisachamochana Tirtha (East of Gayakupa Tirtha):

• Holy Bath: Margashirsha Shukla Chaturdashi

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 9)

39. Manasa Tirtha (East of Pisachamochana Tirtha):

• Festival: Bhadrapada Poornima

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 9)

40. Mandavya Ashrama (River Tamasa) (Penance grove) (South of Manasa Tirtha):

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 9)

41. Gautama Ashrama (River Tamasa) (East of Mandavya Ashrama):

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 9)

42. Chyavana Ashrama (River Tamasa) (East of Gautama Ashrama):

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 9)

43. Parashara Ashrama (River Tamasa):

• Holy bath: Margashirsha Poornima (River Tamasa)

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 9)

44. Sita Kunda (near Dugdheshwara) (River Tamasa):

• Annual festival: Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi (Worship of Vigneshwara)

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 9)

45. Bhairava (South of Sita Kunda):

• Protecting Ayodhya: Sri Rama installed Bhairava for protecting Ayodhya.
• Annual festival: Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi (Worship of Vigneshwara)

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 9)

46. Bharata Kunda (Nandigrama) (North of Bhairava):

• Bharata creating Kunda: Bharata created the Bharata Kunda at Nandigrama, where he lived like an ascetic and ruled Ayodhya for fourteen years when Sri Rama was in forest exile.

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 9)

47. Jata Kunda (West of Bharata Kunda):

• Sri Rama removing Jata: After returning from his forest exile, Sri Rama removed his Jata in this Kunda. The Kunda became known as Jata Kunda.
• Annual festival: Chaitra Krishna Chaturdashi

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 9)

48. Tirtha of Vira (Elephant) (North of Jata Kunda):

• Defending Ayodhya: Elephant Vira defends Ayodhya.
• Annual festival: Aashwina Shukla Panchami

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 10)

49. Demoness Surasa:

• Defending Ayodhya: Sri Rama brought Surasa from Lanka for defending Ayodhya.
• Annual festival: Navaratri Tritiya

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 10)

50. Pindaraka (Warrior) (West of Surasa):

• Festival: Navaratri

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 10)

51. Vigneshwara (West of Pindaraka):

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 10)

52. Birthplace of Rama (North-east of Vigneshwara):

• Vow: Navami

(Ayodhya Mahatmyam - 10)