The much-coveted Ram Mandir Bhoomi Pujan took place in the month of August on the pious land of Ayodhya. While the buzz about the grand architecture is all over the internet and is surely one of its kind, the birthplace of Lord Rama also houses many gems of the past that adds to the beauty of this city, which is considered as one of the seven most important pilgrimage sites (Saptapuri) for Hindus. TMM brings you a glance of heritage sites that are worth a visit in the city of Ayodhya, which will soon become the hot spot for Indian and international tourists.
Ram Janmabhoomi
Ram Janmabhoomi is the birthplace of the Hindu deity, Lord Ram. The path-breaking ceremony for laying of the foundation stone for the Ram Temple of Ayodhya was performed on 5 August 2020 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The proposed design of the temple is one of its kinds with 280-feet width, 300-feet length and 161-feet height. It is going to be the world’s third-largest Hindu shrine.
Hanuman Garhi
Located in the famous Sai Nagar, Hanuman Garhi is a 10th-century temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman. It is one of the most important temples in Ayodhya as it is customary to visit Hanuman Garhi before visiting the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. It is believed that Lord Hanuman lived at the temple site guarding Ayodhya. The hilltop temple hones a 76-staircase pathway to the entrance. Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti, which celebrate the birth of Lord Ram and Lord Hanuman respectively, attract thousands of devotees to the Hanuman Garhi. Recently, it witnessed the much-coveted attention by global media, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi, visited the temple for the Bhoomi Pujan of Ram Mandir.
Kanak Bhawan
Constructed in 1891, this temple is also known as Sone-ka-Ghar. It is a holy site dedicated to the Hindu deity Lord Rama and his wife, Goddess Sita. The bhawan means Golden Palace, which cites three golden-crowned idols of the two gods under a silver roof in the sanctum santorum (Garbagriha). It is believed that this shrine was gifted to Rama and Sita by the former’s stepmother, Kaikeyi. This Bundela-styled temple is currently managed by the Sri Vrishbhan Dharma Setu Trust Private Limited
Nageshwarnath Temple
The Nageshwarnath Temple is located adjacent to the Theri Bazaar in Ayodhya and is believed to have been set up by Kush or Kusha, Lord Rama’s son. The current temple is said to have been reconstructed in 1750 by Safar Jung’s minister, Naval Rai. It is believed that Kush came across a Shiva devotee called Naga Kanya when he happened to lose his arm ring in the local bath. Upon learning that the latter had fallen in love with him, he raised this Shiva temple for Naga Kanya. For tourists, the Shiva Barat or the procession of Lord Shiva is a significant attraction here every year during Shiv Ratri.
Gulab Bari
Gulab Bari, which is also known as the Garden of Roses, is situated in Vaidehi Nagar and is the tomb of the third Nawab of Faizabad, Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula and his parents. This 18th-century structure of the Gulab Bari brings out pure Nawab-styled architecture alongside a vast array of rose species in addition to fountains and lush greenery. It has been listed under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, and is currently preserved as a part of national heritage.
Treta ke Thakur
It is believed that Treta Ke Thakur was constructed 300 years ago, by Kullu, the king of the time. It is said that this structure stands on the very same ground of the famous Ashwamedha Yagna was performed by Lord Rama and it houses numerous idols including that of Lord Ram, Sita, Lakshman, Hanuman, Bharat and Sugreev and these statues are said to have been sculpted out of a single black sandstone. It is open to the public only once a year on a day marked as the Ekadashi, which is observed on the 11th day of Shukla Paksha during the month of Karthika.
Sita ki Rasoi
Sita ki Rasoi is believed to be an ancient basement kitchen used by Goddess Sita, who is also known as Goddess Annapurna and is located on the north-western side of the Ram Janmanhoomi in Ayodhya’s Rajkot. This sacred site is now a temple housing some exhibit vessels. The other end of the temple cites the richly clothed and embellished idols of Ram, Lakshman, Bharat and Shatrughan and their wives Sita, Urmila, Mandavi and Srutakirti. The temple follows the tradition of offering free food.
Choti Chawni
It’s a magnificent structure in Ayodhya crafted out of white marble and is also known as Valmiki Bhawan or Maniramdas Chawni. A sigh of sheer beauty, the place has 34 heritage caves, of which 12 to the south are Buddhist, 17 in the centre are Hindu and 5 in the north are Jain, therefore making it a significant and elaborate architectural brilliance. The Kailasha Temple in the caves only adds to the intricate beauty of the structures.
Tulsi Smarak Bhawan
The Tulsi Smarak Bhawan is believed to have been the place where Tulsidas composed the Ramcharita. Located on the eastern end of the National Highway at Rajgang Crossing in Ayodhya, the Smarak was built in 1969. The smarak is best-loved by book-lovers, as it offers a massive library which is a storehouse of rich literature. It also houses a research centre called the ‘Ayodhya Research Sansthan’, where researchers study and add signification literary, cultural and spiritual information about Ayodhya. In 1988, the government also added the Ram Katha Sanghralaya, a museum which is a repository is a quality collection of facts, data and antiques related to the life and times of Lord Sri Ram. This place is jam-packed with tourists, on every 7th of the Shravan month, where Tulsi Jayanti is celebrated with much pomp and show.
Bahu Begum ka Maqbara
It’s a wonderful example of Awadhi architecture, with three domes, intricately designed interiors and marvellously done walls and ceilings, which is located on the Maqbara Road in the town of Faizabad. It is also known as the “Taj Mahal of the East”. Built-in 1816, in the memory of the Queen where she was buried after death, at that time the shrine costed a grand total of three lakh rupees and at present is a protected site under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), that offers a magnificent bird’s eye view of the entire city.
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