AYODHYA –  Unveiling Multi-Layered Narratives of Shri Ram

 Unveiling Multi-Layered Narratives of Shri Ram

Inextricably intertwined with Shri Ram, the placid town of Ayodhya nestling beside the waters of the Saryu River resounds with hectic activity around the newly constructed Ram Janmabhoomi complex. Adding to this energetic vibe was the recent celebration of Deepotsav, marked by a grand display of illumination by over 22.23 lakh diyas scattered across 51 ghats on the eve of Diwali. How else would Shri Ram’s hometown celebrate his return from the dark years of 14 years of exile and victory over the demon king Ravana of Lanka, if not with an explosion of lights in every corner of this riverside pilgrim hub?

The festive lighting up of lakhs of humble earthen lamps was followed up by an extravagant high-tech laser show. Ayodhya established a new Guinness world record of over 22.23 lakh as against the 6,06,569 lamps lit up on November 14, 2020, at the Ram Ki Pairi, during the Ayodhya Deepotsav which garnered huge international acclaim.

The grandeur of the event was further heightened by a spectacular Rama Pattabhishek procession of the idols of Lord Rama, Sita, and Laxman paraded through the streets of Ayodhya, accompanied by sacred music and dance. Visitors and devotees turned out in great numbers to admire the spectacle and pay homage to the deities. The Ramayana Mela offered visitors an opportunity to enjoy the showcase of traditional arts, crafts, and delectable local cuisine.

A popular attraction was the beautiful staging of the Ram Leela at the Tulsi Smarak and the stunning evening Ganga Aarti held on the banks of the Saryu River. The radiance of thousands of floating diyas transformed the river into a magical waterway. The Ayodhya Deepotsav tradition was first established in 2017 under the aegis of Yogi Adityanath when he claimed the status of Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.

A centre of learning and spiritual sustenance Ayodhya was an important cultural hub in its heyday.   In the 18^th century, it served as the nucleus for the Nawabs of the kingdom of Awadh (Oudh). But it lost its significance considerably when the Nawabs moved their capital to Lucknow. The city, which had fallen into the doldrums of despair, neglect, and apathy, was revived with the growing movement for the reconstruction of the Ram Mandir Temple.

Ayodhya resonates with deep significance for those of the Hindu faith as it is the earthly birthplace of Shri Ram, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu. The legends of Lord Rama’s life and the rule of his father, Dasharatha over the kingdom of Kosala of which Ayodhya was the capital city, are interconnected with the great Indian epic poem Ramayana. As Hindu scriptures reveal it was Lord Vishnu himself who tasked the Sage Manu to establish the birthplace of mankind in this blessed place on earth. Shri Ram is revered as the blessed Maryada Purushottam— the perfect man—who is also an avatar of Lord Vishnu. 

Steeped in the divine since deep antiquity Ayodhya is venerated as one of the seven Mokshdayini Saptpuris or the seven noble tirthas (or pilgrimage points) for Hindus. Ayodhya is spiritually significant also for Jain and Buddhist devotees. In the sacred texts of the Jain community Ayodhya is referred to as Ikshvakubhumi, the birthplace of five of the 24 Jain tirthankaras. Scholars have identified Ayodhya as the ancient town of Saketa, where the once Lord Buddha lived for a while.

The centre of activity in the city is the massive Ayodhya Ram Mandir which is under construction at Ram Janmbhoomi and is set to be inaugurated on January 22, 2024.  In 2019, 70 acres of land were allocated to the Ram Mandir Trust by the Supreme Court and authority was passed to the Government of India for forming the Trust, officially known as the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The Government of India allocated the budget for its construction, paving the way for the long-awaited building of Ram Mandir on the disputed site. The foundation stone was laid on 5th August 2020 at the spot where Lord Rama is said to have taken birth. The construction of the temple complex spread over 2.7 acres, began auspiciously with bricks inscribed with the sacred catchphrase ‘Jai Shree Ram’. The idol of Ram Lalla (infant Lord Ram) will be enshrined in the inner sanctum of the Ram Mandir.

Ayodhya is home to several other significant shrines including the venerable Hanuman Garhi Temple, the Kanak Bhawan Temple, the Nageshwarnath Temple, and the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

Vedic hymns also put the spotlight on the Saryu River, or Saryuji, as one of the divine Sapt Gangas, or Seven Gangas. Clinging to its embankments are the twin cities of Ayodhya and Ayodhya Dham along with scores of shrines and sacred bathing ghats. Legends galore surround the sacred river itself and its connectedness to Shri Ram from his childhood days, as well as to his family history. His brother Lakshmana ended his life in the Saryu by doing jal-samadhi and transcended into his avatar as Sheshnaga. Devastated by the deaths of Lakshmana and Sita, his companions in exile, Lord Ram also gave himself up to the waters of Saryu at the now-hallowed site of Guptar Ghat, from where he transcended into his avatar as Mahavishnu.

Svargadvara Ghat is constantly thronged by devotees as it is significant for being the first tirtha established on the bank of the Saryu River. Religious texts reveal that this hallowed spot was consecrated by Lord Vishnu himself before his seventh incarnation as Shri Ram.

Amongst the other significant touchpoints for visitors to Ayodhya are: the Riverside Heritage Zone with its cluster of ghats and temples; the Ramkot Heritage Zone and the Mani Parvat Zone which is important for the Ram-Sita Temple and as the venue for the annual Shravan Jhula Festival. You should also explore the majestic Kanak Bhavan which hosts devotional musical recitals and attracts eminent artists to perform when visiting Ayodhya. Lakshmana Qila, the home of Ram’s younger brother, houses 75 of the 95 epics penned by saint-poet Yuglanand Sharan-ji Maharaj.

Daily recitals of Ramkatha and staging of the Ram Leela take place at the Tulsi Smarak Bhawan, which is home to the Ayodhya Shodh Sansthan/Research Institute. Unmissable too is the ancient tradition of the uninterrupted reading of episodes from the Ramcharitmanas and the Ramayana, every day, in Ayodhya’s many temples. Located in the Hanuman Garhi area the Sugriva Temple hosts vibrant celebrations of Ramnavami, Guru Purnima, and Janmashtami. Visitors also descend on Dashratha Mahal, believed to be the place where Shri Ram and his siblings lived out their childhood and teenage years. The tranquility of the place is only broken by the recitation from scriptures and the soothing bhajans.

Plans are in place by the Uttar Pradesh government to transform Ayodhya not only into a devotional hub that will be as significant as Varanasi and Mathura but also a Smart City that will become a major international tourist destination. Furthermore, it aims to connect the rest of the country with the thematic Ramayana circuit with Ayodhya as its nucleus.

AYODHYA info

ACCOMMODATION

The city has a vast selection of stay options, from comfortable hotels to

guesthouses to match all budgets.

ACCESS

Air:  Lucknow International Airport is the nearest Airport from Ayodhya

Rail: Faizabad and Ayodhya are major railway stations of the district and are well connected to almost all major cities and towns.

Road:  Uttar Pradesh Transport Corporation offers bus connectivity services from Lucknow to Faizabad and Ayodhya