The holy city of Ayodhya is known for its temples. It is one of the most popular places for pilgrimage, and you will find thousands of pilgrims flocking Ayodhya every day. Yet, there is more to Ayodhya than just the grand temples. While the temples also add allure to the city, Ayodhya has loads of other things that make the city as beautiful as it is.
Ayodhya is not only religiously rich but also historically and culturally. There is something so regal and humbling about this city, and that you must visit it to feel it completely.
Here are some of the things you can do on your trip to Ayodhya, which will make it even more enjoyable:
Take A Dive Into History of Ayodhya
Bahu Begum Ka Maqbara
source: Asis K. Chatterjee/Flickr
Located near Ayodhya, the Bahu Begum Ka Maqbara is one of the most popular sightseeing spots in Ayodhya. Even though it is located in the outskirts of Ayodhya, and closer to Faizabad, this beautiful mausoleum is the perfect tribute to the yesteryear’s royals.
The awe-inspiring tomb is about 42 m in height and was built for the wife of Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula. The entire structure is made up of white marbles, and it glistens when the sun rays fall onto the structure, making it shine. There are three domes that are built on top of one another. The walls and the ceilings are ornately decorated and adorned with lovely carvings and intricate designs, that make the entire place look regal.
Built-in the Awadhi style of architecture, you will surely be in awe of this mausoleum. It is also often called the ‘Taj Mahal of The East’
Tulsi Smarak Bhawan
Ayodhya is a city bubbling with so much history and culture, that it is difficult to capture that under one roof. Yet, the Tusli Smarak Bhawan comes quite close in capturing that history and presenting it to the visitors. The Bhawan is also home to ‘Ayodhya Shodh Sansthan’ which us a research organisation tasked with studying the historical significance of Ayodhya.
Inside this museum, you will find a permanent exhibition featuring Ramayana art and craft, and daily recitation of the Ramkatha, which anyone can attend. You can also attend the hugely popular musical drama called Ram Leela right inside this museum.
This place is also used for various religious meetings, prayer meeting and a culture centre for hosting performances. There is also a Ramkhatha Museum inside this museum, and you will find a collection of artefacts from the Ramayana era.
Moti Mahal
An architectural marvel of the Mughal empire, the Moti Mahal is a must-visit spot in Ayodhya. It was once the residence for the wife of Nawab Shuja-ud-daula. This palace is the perfect example of how rich the culture of India was.
The ampul of wealth that you will find inside the palace, and in the way it has been made itself is immense. The moment you enter the Moti Mahal, you will be amazed by the regal and elegant decorations. It is luxurious and undoubtedly fit for a queen.
Relive The Mythology
Ram Janmabhoomi
When it comes to Ayodhya, the first thing one thinks is the highly conflicted Ram Janmabhoomi. This piece of land was the bone of contention between the Muslims and Hindus, which has finally come to some closure.
The Supreme Court has now declared this site as the birthplace of Ram, and thus, a temple will once again be constructed right here.
You can still visit this place, to just get a feel of this highly disputed site. You will find visitors from all over the world coming to the Ram Janmabhoomi just to offer their respect.
The Ram Janmabhoomi Temple is one of the major attractions of Ayodhya. It is considered to be
The security here is still pretty high, and there are several lockers made to keep your personal belongings in- you cannot take inside except your money and passport.
The place itself radiates an extremely holy aura, and you will be able to feel all the struggle, riots and fights unfold right in front of your eyes. You will be able to visualize the struggle that this site has faced, as well as the sacred aura of the land. There is something so soothing yet so tragic about this site. You must visit this place, to realize what Ayodhya is all about.
Valmiki Ramayan Bhawan
This building is mainly famous for the Valmiki Ramayana, which is engraved elegantly on marble inside the Bhawan. People mostly visit this place right before sunrise to sunset. The area is extremely peaceful, and you will be able to feel the calmness rushing through your veins and relaxing your body.
Nandigram (Bharat Kund)
Nandigram or Bharat Kund as it is popularly called is believed to be the place where Bharat sat in deep meditation for his return from exile, and also ruled the Kingdom of Kosala, in the absence of his brother Lord Rama.
This is a highly revered and sacred place now. It is surrounded by greenery and is right in the laps of nature. It is so serene and tranquil, that you will often find people sitting idly and practicing meditation here for hours.
Just sit here for some time and breathe in all the peace that surrounds you and engulfs you in a warm embrace. It is away from all the chaos, and a great place to escape to and introspect.
People also come here to pray for their departed ones- the ceremony is called Shraddh. Many also take a dip in the Kund, which helps them cleanse any sins that they might have.
There is also a little guesthouse here, where you can spend some relaxed days.
Explore The Temples in Ayodhya
Chhoti Devkali Temple
Located near the Naya Ghat, this temple is closely related to the Ramayana, and you will find several mentions of this temple in the epic.
It is believed, that Sita and Lord Ram arrived in Ayodhya with an idol of Goddess Girija Devi after their wedding. King Dashrath, then built a magnificent temple for the idol, and Sita used to worship the Devi right in this temple.
The temple itself is quite beautiful and has a lovely sculpture of the Devi.
Hanuman Garhi
Located in the heart of the city, the Hanuman Garhi temple is one of the most popular temples in Ayodhya.
The beauty of this temple not only lies inside but also on the outside. It is situated right in the middle of several shops and colourful markets, and there is also chaos outside the temple. Yet, that is the most accurate representation of Ayodhya. The temple captures the essence of the city.
You have to climb about 70 steps to reach the temple. The temple is pretty vibrant and colourful, which is also a great representation of the colourful city of Ayodhya. The sanctum is filled with brightly painted pillars.
The main shrine has the statue of Mata Anjani and Bal Hanuman, who is seated on her lap.
Shish Mahal
This beautifully constructed temple is devoted to Lord Rama and Goddess Sita. The architecture of this temple is worth watching and you will be amazed by the sheer beauty. The temple is made of cut glass and stained glasses that have exquisite patterns!
There are many other temples in Ayodhya like- Nageshwarnath Temple, Kanak Bhawan and many more. Visiting just the temples in Ayodhya itself can take you multiple days, and is highly recommend also. You can come to Ayodhya for a pilgrimage trip to witness all these grand temples that Ayodhya has to offer.
Relish The Gardens
Tulsi Udyan
Dedicated to the great poet and writer Tulsidas, this garden is located on the national highway of Faizabad.
The garden was once known as Victoria Park, and even has a statue of Queen Victoria right at the centre of the garden.
The garden is a lovely place to spend a lazy afternoon. You can just walk around, read a book or sit to just relax for some time.
There is also a statue of Tulsidas in the garden, which was installed after the garden was renamed.
Gulab Bari
This beautifully landscaped garden is filled with roses and water fountains, that makes it stunning. It also has the tomb of Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula, which gives this garden a little dash of history also.
The garden is called Gulab Bari since you will find various patches of rose gardens just swaying away near the many water fountains. The architectural style is a fusion between Hindu and Mughal style and is called the Nawabi Style.
Spend An Idle Day At The Ghats
Ram ki Paidi
The wonders of Ayodhya unfolds at the many Ghats that make up this city. One such glorious Ghat is the Ram ki Paidi. It is a series of Ghats located on the banks of the eternally lovely River Sarayu. The river makes the ghat look so stunning and wondrous. Especially if you come here at night, the shimmering lights are reflected by the river, and the ghat looks mesmerizing.
Many devotees also come here to take a dip in the river to wash away their sins.
You can come here at dawn or even at dusk, to silently watch the city go by its day. There is something so humbling to watch people go about their daily life, completely in their zone, as you are a silent spectator.
Guptar Ghat
Another important ghat in Ayodhya is the Guptar Ghat. This ghat is an extremely importantly pilgrim spot, and you will always find devotees and pilgrims coming here to offer their respects.
It is believed that Lord Ram drowned himself in a Jal Samadhi as this very place. You will also find many temples at this ghat, which hold an Aarti every day.
It is highly recommended that you attend an evening Aarti at Ayodhya at least once while you are here.
Just Let Go
The most important part of enjoying Ayodhya is to let go of your inhibitions and to keep an open mind. Just head on to the crowded streets and let the magic of Ayodhya sparkle you.
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