ALSphere Foundation
Ayodhya/ Awadhpuri is regarded as the first of the seven sacred places of pilgrimage for Hindus. The legendary city is the birthplace of our deity Lord Ram. The ancient city on the bank of Holy River Saryu described in the epic Ramayan is believed to be the same place. After the ‘Praan Pratishtha’ ceremony of God Ramlalla, the city is currently the most visited place in India.
The present city is well connected through road, rail and air. After a night’s halt at Lucknow, we set out by our car enjoying a drizzle on a winter morning. We took a break at a roadside eatery. They served yummy pakodis, hot gulab jamuns and kulhad tea. The place buzzed with pilgrims.
We bowed our heads, folded our hands, and offered prayers to Lord Ram for granting this opportunity. A flood of humanity moved towards the temple. The world’s third-largest Hindu temple, built as per Vastu Shastra and Shilp Shastra, is indeed an architectural marvel and symbol of faith. The design, and the carving are amazing. The idol and the shringaar are hypnotic. One is at a loss, whether to close eyes in obeisance or to feast the eyes on the grandeur. The visit is once in a once-in-a-lifetime surreal experience. You wish to linger on and bask in the divine environs but you have to move on to let in more devotees.
Next, we visited Hanuman Garhi, a popular shrine. Ma Anjani with Baal Hanuman idol is worshipped in the temple. It being Saturday, a long serpentine queue formed in the narrow lane and steps to the temple. The devotees chanted along the ‘Ram naam’ chanting heard through the temple loudspeakers. The area was full of monkeys.
Across the road is Kanak Bhawan, a wedding gift to Goddess Sita by Queen Keikeyi; Ramkot, an ancient citadel on western side; Swarg Dwar, God Ram’s cremation site and Nageshwarnath Temple, a temple built by God Ram’s son Kush. Ram ki Pedi Ghat offered a panoramic site as devotees took holy dips and offered oblations.
We stepped down the ghat of River Saryu and took a boat ride. Interestingly few kilometres up and a few kilometres down the river is called Ghagger and only as it flows through the holy city it is called River Saryu. The evening aarti offers a spectacular view as priests chant mantras and numerous lamps float on the river.
Lata Mangeshkar Chowk, a roundabout built as a homage to the iconic singer with a huge Veena and 92 lotuses, is an essential stopover and is choc-o-block with photograph affinitive. Since photographs are strictly banned in the temple, this stop is a hit with visitors.
Ayodhya is a confluence of mythological, ancient and contemporary India. Well-planned shops with similar signboards, ethnic, traditional food joints and hotels/homestays to suit diverse pockets have well established this pilgrim town on the map of the global tourism industry.
The rich cultural heritage of the place exudes peace and serenity. The pilgrimage makes us ponder over transient human life, and the futility of material existence, and edges us on the path of self-discovery and transcendence.
Suruchi Kalra Choudhary
