Ayodhya - Pilgrimage to the holy city of Ayodhya
Ayodhya is a religious and historical city situated on the banks of river Saryu. It is located in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The ancient name of Ayodhya is Saket, and it is the centre of faith of the Hindu religious people as the holy birthplace of Lord Shri Ram. Lord Rama was the 7th incarnation of Lord Shri Vishnu. Ayodhya was the capital of Kosala kingdom in ancient times. Because of the birthplace of Lord Shri Rama, Hindus considered as a major pilgrimage centre.
In the Veda, Ayodhya is described as the city of God, "Ashtachakra Navdwara Devanam Purvayodhya" and its prosperity has been compared to heaven. Ayodhya was founded by Maharaja Manu. It is 14 km long and about 37 km off the coast of Saryu was in width. Till many centuries, this city was the capital of the Suryavanshi kings. According to Skandpuran, the city of Ayodhya was like the second Amaravati with divine splendour at the banks of Saryu. Ayodhya is basically a city of Hindu temples. Remains associated with Hinduism can still be seen here.
According to Jainism, five of the twenty-four Tirthankaras were born here. The first Tirthankara Rishabhanath ji, the second Tirthankar Ajitnath ji, the fourth Tirthankar Abhinandanath ji, the fifth Tirthankar Sumatinath ji and the fourteenth Tirthankar Anantnath ji. Apart from this, according to both Jain and Vedic beliefs, Lord Ramchandra ji was also born on this land. All the said Tirthankaras and Lord Ramchandra ji were all from the Ikshvaku dynasty. Its importance lies in its ancient history because this city has been the capital of the famous and majestic Kshatriyas of India.
Ayodhya Kashi Yatra - Pilgrimage to the holy city of Kashi (Varanasi)
Varanasi, also known as Banaras and Kashi, it is Situated on the banks of the holy river Ganga, this city has great religious significance for the Hindus. Lord shiva temple is in this city, it enshrines one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva. Thousands of Pilgrims converges here to perform an abhishekam of Jyotirlingas, with water from the Holy Ganga. Varanasi is also known for the city of Ghats.
Ayodhya Prayagraj Yatra - Pilgrimage to the holy city of Allahabad
The ancient name of the city is "Prayagraj". Prayagraj is a famous pilgrimage center for Hindus. The place of Prayag mentioned in Hindu scriptures is located at the confluence of the holiest river Ganges and Yamuna. Here Saraswati river secretly meets in Sangam, hence it is called Triveni Sangam. In the Hindi language, Prayag literally also means "confluence of rivers" - this is the confluence of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. Due to being called the "King of the Five Prayagas", this city has also been called Prayagraj. Where the Kumbh Mela is held every twelve years. Here, the Kumbh Mela is organized every six years and the Kumbh Mela.
Holy places to visit in Ayodhya during Ayodhya Yatra
Ramjanma Bhoomi -
This is the birth place of Lord Rama, here a very big and beautiful temple is constructing.
Shri Nageshwarnath Temple-
Nageshwarnath Temple is the holiest temple of Lord Shiva in Ayodhya. The main structure of the holy temple shows the semi-divine serpents worshiping Lord Shiva. It is situated in bank of Ram Ki Paidi, it was built by Shri Kush- the son of Lord Rama. Festival of Shivaratri is celebrated here with great pomp.
Shri Hanuman Garhi -
Shri Hanuman Garhi is the one of most Holy places of Ayodhya, When Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after conquering Rawan, Hanumanji started living here. That is why it was named Hanumangarh or Hanuman Kot. In the main temple, Shri Hanuman Ji sits in the lap of Mata Anjani. This is the tallest temple in Ayodhya which is visible from all four sides. During Ayodhya Yatra the Devotees certainly comes to this place.
Mata Seeta Ki Rasoi -
During Ayodhya Yatra Mata Seeta Ki Rasoi is a very emotional and cultural place of Ayodhya. It was a traditional custom in Treta- Yuga that after marriage when New- bride came her husband's home on first day, then she cooked food for the whole family. Sita Mata also cooked food for her family in this kitchen. Therefore, Mata Sita is the Annapurna of the whole world. In the Seeta Mata Rasoi, symbolic utensils are keeping their, including plates, Chakla and Cylinder Handi etc.
Dashrath Mahal-
Dharsrath Mahal is known as well as Bada Darwaja in Ayodhya, The entrance of this temple is very large and colourful. Father of Lord Rama lived in this Mahal with his whole Family, the childhood of Lord Rama, Laxmana, Bharat and Shatrughna passed in this Mahal. Here Sages and Saints wear orange clothes and recite the Doha and Chaupayis of Ramcharitmanas every time. This is very energetic for our soul.
Shri Nageshwarnath Temple-
Ram Ki Paudi Ram Ki Paudhi attracts a large crowd of devotees during the ceremony associated with Sri Rama. People come here and bath in the holy waters of Sarayu River and believe that this causes sins to be washed away. More Places to visit During Ayodhya Yatra : Mani Parvat, Laxman Kila, Kaleram, Naya Ghat, Guptar Ghat, Chhapaiya Sri Swami Narayan Temple, Nandi Gram.