Ram Janmabhoomi, Ayodhya – Religious Significance

Ram Janmabhoomi, Ayodhya – Religious Significance

Mukthi Kshetrams:

Ayodhya is said to be one among the 7 Mukthi Kshetrams. These 7 mukthi Sthalam represents different part of the body of Lord Vishnu. Avanti is represented as the divine feet, Kanchipuram, represents the waist, Dwaraka represents the Nabhi (the lower stomach), Maya represents the chest, Madhura represents the neck, Kasi represents the nose and finally, Ayodhya represents the Head of Lord Vishnu.

Divya Desams:

The temple is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the 7^th – 9^th century Vaishnava canon, by Periyalvar, Peyazhwar, Nammazhwar, Thirumangai Azhwar and Thirumalisai Alvar. The temple is classified as a Divyadesam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the book. The Tamil Alwars have mentioned Ayodhya in their works; Nammalwar, Tirumangai Alwar and Tondaradippodiyalwar in one poem each; while Periyalvar and Kulasekhara Alwar have six and four poems each, mentioning Ayodhya. The Alwars lived in the latter half of the first millennium CE.

Parikramas:

Circumbulation of important religious places is also an important religious ceremony being followed by the devotees as a regular practice. It involves paying homage to different deities in many temples that one covers in the parikrama. The circumbulation of Ayodhya are of varying durations. Some of them are described below;

1. Antargrahi Parikrama:

It is completed in one day, the devotees begin it after the holy dip in Sarayu from Nageshwarnath temple then going through Ramghat, Sita Kund, Mani Parvat, Brahma Kund & reaching Kanak Bhawan as its final destination.

2. Panchkoshi:

16 Kms of distance is covered in this parikrama which starts from 11^th day of Kartik month. It covers Chakrathirtha Ghat, Naya Ghat, Ram Ghat, Dasrath Kund, Jogiana, Ranopali, Jalpanala, Mahatag Bagh.

3. Chaudah Koshi Parikrama:

It covers the religious shrines situated both in Ayodhya & Faizabad, a distance of 45 Kms, normally held on Akshaya Navami & completed within 24 hours.

4. Chaurasi Koshi Parikrama:

It starts on Ramanavami that falls in the Chaitra month of Hindu calendar.