Located along the bank of river Sarayu , Ayodhya is famous for the religious activities & disputes regarding the same. But looking at the other aspects it is one of the most treasured look-outs for religious & archaeological researches.
Being just 2hrs away from Lucknow, Ayodhya was the next stop for my curiosity. I am grateful I got the companionship of my friends for the trip & they didn't complain while I dragged them from one place to the other.
The 7 of us thus started the 2hr journey from Lucknow in a rental car at around 8 a.m.. Mercifully the driver was good in his work & kept us safe throughout the early morning rush. We reached the city of Lord Rama at around 10:15 & immediately moved to our first location Hanuman Garhi.
After Hanuman Garhi we left our car & decided to tour the city on foot. Though the sun was bright & hot but was bearable & did less to dampen my enthusiasm, though I am not that sure about my friends. Still we braved the odds & continued our tour.
Near Hanuman Garhi, I was informed by my father that there was one temple made by our ancestors, my great-great-great grandfather (I am not sure about the no. of "greats" ;) )
The Pandit ji taking care of the temple gave me a detailed account of the connection I had with the founders of the temple. I was both awed & thrilled.
Leaving with the blessings of Pandit ji, we continued our tour through the narrow lanes of Ayodhya which were all filled with activity.
Enjoying the various small shops & scenes of ancient epic Ramayana & other mythological events we reached our next stop, The Kanak Bhawan.
The Kanak Bhawan
It is said Kanak Bhawan is a temple gifted to Sita by her mother with her marriage to Rama, and only contains statues & paintings of Sita with her husband in Gold adorned crowns in three various forms. The temple is a beautiful palace of architecture, also known as the "Swarna-Bhawan" or the "Golden-Palace". If you plan to visit the place try to attend the Aarti too. The experience is blissful with the sounds of various dhols & manjeeras while the bhakts sing the Aarti with the priests.
Leaving the cool surroundings of The Kanak Bhawan we headed towards the controversial Ram-Janmabhoomi.
The Ram-Janmabhoomi
Ram-Janmabhoomi is believed to be the the birthplace of Rama, the birthplace of Rama, the 7th avatar of Vishnu in Hinduism. The Ramayana states that the location of Rama's birthplace is on the banks of the Sarayu river in the city of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh. In 1528 the Mughal emperor Babur built a mosque at the aforementioned site.[1] From 1528 to 1853 (the year of the first riot regarding the birthplace), the Babri Mosque became a place of worship for Muslims.[2] From 1853 to 1949, separate areas were earmarked for both Hindus and Muslims to worship and in 1949, Hindu idols were placed inside the Mosque, allegedly by activists of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).[3] The Mosque was destroyed in 1992 when a political rally developed into a riot involving 150,000 people. The genesis of the rally existed in the movement that was launched in 1984 by the VHP to "reclaim" the site for Hindus by erecting a temple dedicated to the infant Rama (Ramlalla), at this spot.
Many Muslim organisations have continued to express outrage at the destruction of the disputed structure. Since then, the matter is sub-judice and this political, historical and socio-religious debate over the history and location of the Babri Mosque, is known as the Ayodhya Debate. (Source @wiki)
Amidst tight security we got to see the controversial land. The place gave the feeling of wariness & conflict. Divided through barbed wires the place seemed more like a battle ground rather than a spiritual & religious place for different communities of people. The situation seemed even more ironic when India is said to be the largest democracy.
It was noon & by now the heat had started to slow us down. Taking a break beneath a shade tree we decided the next stop, which ultimately became a debate topic. :D
Ram Katha Sangrahalaya (Museum)/Tulsi Smarak Bhawan
Timings Library- 10:30am-4:30pm, Office- 10am-5pm, Ramleela- 6pm-9pm daily, library & museum is closed on Monday, second Sunday of the month, & on every gazetted holiday
Ram Katha Sangrahalaya is situated inside Tulsi Smarak Bhawan, which has been built by the Government of India in the memory of Goswami Tulsi Das in 1969 and comes under cultural department of Govt. of U.P. Since its inception the museum is engaged in collection, presentation & conservation of antiquities related to the story of Ram. Tulsi Bhawan is being used for prayers, meeting & religious discourses. Ayodhya Shodh Sansthan (a Research Institute) established in 1986, is also located in the same premises, where a huge library & a reading room also exist. The library is equipped with extensive literature related to Tulsi Das. The Sansthan provides help to research scholars. A cultural centre for performing arts also functions here. Ramleela is performed every day since 20 May 2004 & entry is free of cost. Every year on seventh day of Shravan month, Tulsi Jayanti is celebrated here. (Source)
Being just 2hrs away from Lucknow, Ayodhya was the next stop for my curiosity. I am grateful I got the companionship of my friends for the trip & they didn't complain while I dragged them from one place to the other.
The 7 of us thus started the 2hr journey from Lucknow in a rental car at around 8 a.m.. Mercifully the driver was good in his work & kept us safe throughout the early morning rush. We reached the city of Lord Rama at around 10:15 & immediately moved to our first location Hanuman Garhi.
The Hanuman Garhi
Situated in the centre of the town, this temple is approachable by a flight of 76 steps. Legend has it that Hanuman lived here in a cave and guarded the Janambhoomi or Ramkot. The main temple contains the statue of Maa Anjani, with Bal Hanuman seated on her lap. The faithful believe that all their wishes are granted with a visit to this holy shrine.
A massive structure in the shape of a four sided fort with circular bastions at each corner houses a temple of Hanuman and is the most popular shrine in Ayodhya. 
Near Hanuman Garhi, I was informed by my father that there was one temple made by our ancestors, my great-great-great grandfather (I am not sure about the no. of "greats" ;) )
I wasn't sure earlier but once I reached there the proof was stark & clear infront of me.
Leaving with the blessings of Pandit ji, we continued our tour through the narrow lanes of Ayodhya which were all filled with activity.
Enjoying the various small shops & scenes of ancient epic Ramayana & other mythological events we reached our next stop, The Kanak Bhawan.
The Kanak Bhawan
It is said Kanak Bhawan is a temple gifted to Sita by her mother with her marriage to Rama, and only contains statues & paintings of Sita with her husband in Gold adorned crowns in three various forms. The temple is a beautiful palace of architecture, also known as the "Swarna-Bhawan" or the "Golden-Palace". If you plan to visit the place try to attend the Aarti too. The experience is blissful with the sounds of various dhols & manjeeras while the bhakts sing the Aarti with the priests.
Leaving the cool surroundings of The Kanak Bhawan we headed towards the controversial Ram-Janmabhoomi.
The Ram-Janmabhoomi
Ram-Janmabhoomi is believed to be the the birthplace of Rama, the birthplace of Rama, the 7th avatar of Vishnu in Hinduism. The Ramayana states that the location of Rama's birthplace is on the banks of the Sarayu river in the city of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh. In 1528 the Mughal emperor Babur built a mosque at the aforementioned site.[1] From 1528 to 1853 (the year of the first riot regarding the birthplace), the Babri Mosque became a place of worship for Muslims.[2] From 1853 to 1949, separate areas were earmarked for both Hindus and Muslims to worship and in 1949, Hindu idols were placed inside the Mosque, allegedly by activists of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).[3] The Mosque was destroyed in 1992 when a political rally developed into a riot involving 150,000 people. The genesis of the rally existed in the movement that was launched in 1984 by the VHP to "reclaim" the site for Hindus by erecting a temple dedicated to the infant Rama (Ramlalla), at this spot.
Many Muslim organisations have continued to express outrage at the destruction of the disputed structure. Since then, the matter is sub-judice and this political, historical and socio-religious debate over the history and location of the Babri Mosque, is known as the Ayodhya Debate. (Source @wiki)
Amidst tight security we got to see the controversial land. The place gave the feeling of wariness & conflict. Divided through barbed wires the place seemed more like a battle ground rather than a spiritual & religious place for different communities of people. The situation seemed even more ironic when India is said to be the largest democracy.
It was noon & by now the heat had started to slow us down. Taking a break beneath a shade tree we decided the next stop, which ultimately became a debate topic. :D
Throughout the narrow lanes of Ayodhya one can find Hand-pumps for the drinking water but some of them might sprout out mud-water as it happened with my colleagues. The locals were prompt to inform us & offered water from their homes. The thoughtfulness & hospitality floored us. These are the small experiences which help me in making myself a better person. Thanking the generous locals for their help we headed towards the Ram Katha Sanghralaya.
Timings Library- 10:30am-4:30pm, Office- 10am-5pm, Ramleela- 6pm-9pm daily, library & museum is closed on Monday, second Sunday of the month, & on every gazetted holiday
Ram Katha Sangrahalaya is situated inside Tulsi Smarak Bhawan, which has been built by the Government of India in the memory of Goswami Tulsi Das in 1969 and comes under cultural department of Govt. of U.P. Since its inception the museum is engaged in collection, presentation & conservation of antiquities related to the story of Ram. Tulsi Bhawan is being used for prayers, meeting & religious discourses. Ayodhya Shodh Sansthan (a Research Institute) established in 1986, is also located in the same premises, where a huge library & a reading room also exist. The library is equipped with extensive literature related to Tulsi Das. The Sansthan provides help to research scholars. A cultural centre for performing arts also functions here. Ramleela is performed every day since 20 May 2004 & entry is free of cost. Every year on seventh day of Shravan month, Tulsi Jayanti is celebrated here. (Source)
