Ram Janmabhoomi, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh

Ram Janmabhoomi, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh

Ram Janmabhoomi is the birthplace of Lord Rama, the 7^th avatar of the Hindu deity Vishnu, located in Ayodhya City in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. Ayodhya is situated on the bank of River Sarayu. Ayodhya was a magnificent and holy city of ancient India that was the capital of Hindu kingdom of Kosala. The city of Ayodhya is known for being the court of King Dasharatha, who was the father of Lord Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Valmiki is believed to have begun writing the famous devotional poem Valmiki Ramayana here itself.

The Ramayana states that the location of Rama's birthplace is on the banks of the Sarayu river in the city of Ayodhya. Ayodhya also holds important position among Jain religion as it is the birth place of two important Jain Tirthankaras. The city later came under the rule of Gupta empire and also got influenced with Buddhism, with various Buddhist temples being built here. Ayodhya later came under the rule of Mughal empire, slowly losing strategic importance to Lucknow and Kanpur.

A section of Hindus claim that the exact site of Rama's birthplace is where the Babri Masjid once stood in the present-day Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. According to this theory, the Mughals demolished a Hindu shrine that marked the spot, and constructed a mosque in its place. People opposed to this theory state that such claims arose only in the 18^th century, and that there is no evidence for the spot being the birthplace of Rama.

The political, historical and socio-religious debate over the history and location of the Babri Mosque, and whether a previous temple was demolished or modified to create it, is known as the Ayodhya dispute. In 1992, the demolition of Babri Masjid by Hindu nationalists triggered widespread Hindu-Muslim violence. Since then, the archaeological excavations have indicated the presence of a temple beneath the mosque rubble. Several other sites, including places in other parts of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Nepal, have been proposed as birthplaces of Rama.

Ayodhya is considered to be one of the 7 Mukti Sthalams of India. 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.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2019/01/ram-janmabhoomi-ayodhya-legends.html

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2019/01/ram-janmabhoomi-ayodhya-history.html

The Temples

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2019/01/ram-janmabhoomi-ayodhya-temples.html

Temple Opening Time

The Temples in Ayodhya remains open from 5.00 am to 2.00 pm and 4.00 pm to 9.00 pm.

Festivals

Shravan Jhula in July-August, Parikrama Mela (Oct.-Nov.), Ramanavami (March-April), Rathyatra (June-July), Sarayu snan (holy dip) in Oct.-Nov., Ram Vivah-Nov., Ramayan Mela in Dec., Jan., snan on every Amavasya & Purnima. Bharat Kund Mela, Guptar Ghat Mela, Balark Tirth Mela (Bharat Kund), Suker Kshetra Mela, Makhaura Mela are the festivals celebrated here.

Ram Navami is celebrated as birthday of Lord Ram which falls on the ninth day of bright fortnight of Chaitra (Hindi) month in March/April. Almost all the temples of this holy place are decorated and special arrangements are made to celebrate this day. People from all over India and even from abroad throng this place. The entire city has a glittering look and a very enthusiastic festival mood where the chimes of bells along with the sound of conches resonate all around.

Shravan Jhula Mela is a unique festival, celebrated in the Shravan month (July-August). The festival begins on third day of the second half of this month and lasts, till the month end. As per the tradition the idols of Lord Ram, Laxman & Sita are taken to a swing and then finally taken to Mani Parvat. The swinging is joined by a vast gathering of devotees & finally deities are brought back to the temple. It is an age-old tradition & continues to be followed till date with great deal of enthusiasm & dedication. 

Religious Significance

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2019/01/ram-janmabhoomi-ayodhya-religious-significance.html

Connectivity

Ram Janmabhoomi is located at about 1.5 Kms from Ayodhya Old Bus Station, 2 Kms from Ayodhya Railway Junction, 3 Kms from Ayodhya Bus Station, 7 Kms from Faizabad, 135 Kms from Lucknow, 150 Kms from Lucknow Airport and 178 Kms from Varanasi Airport. Ayodhya is well connected with other places by road, as it is located on the main highway.

Location