A calm sets in, as the lovely green trees sway with the wind. The water of the Sarayu River is still, and the air smells of incense sticks. The priests adorn their Aarti plates with all kinds of aromatics, flowers, and sweets. Slowly different mantras start to fill up the entire city. At this point, the city of Ayodhya comes alive.

This wonderful city is located by the Sarayu River. It was also the capital city of the Kosala Kingdom. According to Hindu mythology, this is also the birthplace of Lord Rama, who was the seven incarnations of Lord Vishnu.

It is one of the seven most sacred cities in India for Hindus and is located in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

Ayodhya is scattered with some of the most brilliant and pious temples. It is especially a spectacle to come to Ayodhya during Diwali when the entire town is covered with lights and festivities. There are about 300 temples in Ayodhya, and each of them is unique in their way.

Undoubtedly, Ayodhya is an extremely important pilgrimage place for Hindus, Sikhs, and even Jains. Thus, all year around you will find pilgrims flocking to Ayodhya to offer their respects, and to witness the spirituality of this holy city.

From the moment you land here in Ayodhya, to the moment you come back home, you will feel that spiritual fervour of Ayodhya throughout your pilgrimage. It is like when you are taking a part of Ayodhya home when you leave.

Ayodhya is a great city for embarking on a pilgrimage tour. It is also a city that teaches you to remain humble, simple and modest. All of these mystical stories will make you appreciate this city more and will help you make your pilgrimage more interesting and successful.

Yet, when you are on a pilgrimage trip in Ayodhya, the biggest confusion remains- which all temples to visit? There are so many temples in this city that you will be spoilt for choice. So, here are some of the most frequently visited temples in Ayodhya that will make your pilgrimage trip even more spiritual and beautiful.

Ramkot

Ramkot fortRamkot Fort Ayodhya | source: Goibibo

Located in the Western part of the city, Ramkot is one of the most visited areas in Ayodhya. It is a chief place of worship, and you will find thousands of pilgrims just standing here in respect of the city.

Ramkot is essentially a citadel, which stands on an elevated ground. This was also the place where Lord Rama’s Fort once used to stand. Now, Ramkot is a great place to start your pilgrimage from. From here you will get an overview of the city.

This place also transforms into a visual treat during the time of Ram Navami. To truly feel the essence and importance of Ramkot, come here during Ram Navami.

Nageshwarnath Temple

Lord Rama’s son Kush had build this beautiful temple, right at the bank of the Sarayu River. This should be your next stop on your pilgrimage.

Several legends suggest that Kush lost his armlet when he was bathing in the Sarayu. A Nag Kanya found this armlet, and she eventually fell in love with Kush.

The Nag Kanya was a devotee of Lord Shiva, and thus Kush erected this particular temple for her.

Many people claim that this was the only temple that survived till the time of Vikramaditya, and the other temples were all ravaged, and the city was just covered by dense forests.

This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and the occasion of Shivratri is celebrated with great fervour at this place.

Hanuman Garhi

Hanuman Garhi

Located at the core of the town, this large structure is in the shape of a four-sided fort with circular bastions kept at each corner.

This highly revered and pious temple attracts a lot of pilgrims throughout the year.

About 70 steps are leading to this Hanuman Temple. It is also a custom in Ayodhya, that before visiting a Lord Rama Temple, you should first visit a Hanuman Temple. Thus, this is an extremely important site for your pilgrimage.

The location of the temple is also wonderful in a chaotic way. Located right in the centre of the town, there is always something going on. The atmosphere is noisy yet charming in its way.

The constant chatter of the people, the salivating aroma from the nearby food stalls, and the colour markets that lead up to this temple magnificent.

Kanak Bhawan

Kanak Bhawan is a unique temple. In this temple, you will find Lord Rama, and Goddess Sita wearing a golden crown, and adorned with exquisite gold jewellery. This has led many people calling this temple- Sone-ka-Ghar.

This shrine resembles an elegant palace more than a temple. The moment you enter this temple, you will feel as if you walked into a regal palace. Locals believe that this pale was a gift to Sita from Queen Kaikayi.

In the 19th Century the palace was converted into a temple.

The high ceilinged hall, complete with arched doorways on three sides, are some of the highlights of this temple.There is also a courtyard at the heart of this temple.

It is in this very courtyard that you will find three idols of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita, exquisitely adorned with gold, resting under a superb canopy.

You will find several serene and isolated places all around the shrine, since the temple has a lot of open spaces. This also makes the temple extremely airy. Just find one such comfortable corner, close your eyes and meditate for some time. There is something very enriching about meditating in the holy city of Ayodhya.

Lakshmana Ghat

Ayodhyasource: wiwigo

For your next stop, visit the Lakshmana Ghat, which is on the banks of the Sarayu River. This is the place where Laxman, who was Lord Rama’s brother, gave up his life. This Ghat is home to the Samadhi of Laxman.

From here the river looks magnificent. This is a great place to just sit and observe the city of Ayodhya go by. Just spend some idle hours here, and let the city of Ayodhya surprise you!

Vijayraghaw temple

One of the most brilliant and architecturally beautiful temples in Ayodhya is the Vijayraghawa temple. Made with stainless steel and red marble, this temple is truly a work of art.

Built-in 2008, the temple has the face of Lord Rama represented in 12 different ways.

Other Pilgrimage Spots in Ayodhya

There are other lovely pilgrimage spots in Ayodhya that you can visit if you have the luxury of time.

Mani Parbat is a wonderful Hindu temple that was once a Buddhist Vihara.

Swarg Dwar is the place where Lord Rama had transformed into Lord Vishnu and left for Vaikunth.

Treta Ke Thakur is another holy and revered temple, where Lord Rama performed the famous Ashwamedha Yagna.

The Aura Of Ayodhya

Ayodhya is truly a must-visit place if you are looking for a spiritual pilgrimage that will not just satisfy your spiritual needs but also calm your mind. It is the kind of city that has the power to engulf you and give you so much love and warmth. So, next time you are planning a pilgrimage trip, close your eyes and just head over to Ayodhya to witness the spiritual grandeur unfold right in front of your eyes.

Sinchita is a student, who has always dabbled with a bit of writing here and there. She has always made herself look into things in a different way than others, which has allowed her to explore certain feelings and emotions which many cannot. She is a bold writer and believes in the saying, 'a pen is mightier than the sword'. She strongly believes that the writing should be so compelling that the writer feels that they are on a journey they read through the article. The writing must make the reader feel something, otherwise it pointless

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