Temples in Ayodhya
Ayodhya is the Adipuri or the first city of Vishnu. It is believed to be sitting on the chakra of Vishnu. Rulers of Suryavansha or solar dynasty ruled from here for eons. Even today, many royal dynasties across India trace their lineage to this dynasty. Of course, the most famous king is Sri Ram, whose story we know as Ramayana. Ayodhya Temples celebrate the dynasty and all the prominent visitors here.
Ancient city is once again in spotlight for the grand Ram Temple that has been built after a struggle of 500+ years.
I had the opportunity to study the city as it has been described in the Ayodhya Mahatmya of Skanda Puran. This also gave me an opportunity to create a map of Ayodhya, for which I walked across its streets, just like my ancestors would have walked once.
Now, that many pilgrims are visiting Ayodhya, here is a list of prominent temples in Ayodhya that you can see. For detailed information, stories, and auspicious dates, refer to my book Ayodhya Mahatmya.
Sarayu
Ayodhya is an ancient city situated on the banks of river Sarayu, that originates from the Lake Mansarovar near Kailash Parvat. It is located where the river meets Gharghara and Tamasa rivers, in a way defining it coordinates firmly.
Sarayu is the biggest Tirtha at Ayodhya. It is a river that has seen the city through the ages. Remember it was there before Sri Ram and has flown since Sri Ram took Jal Samadhi in it.
Banks of Sarayu are lined with various ghats just like the ghats of Varanasi. The important places to see here are:
Ram ki Paidi – Where Diwali Deepotasava is celebrated
Swargadwar – heart of Ayodhya, you can attend the evening Arti of Sarayu.
Sahastradhara – Lakshman Qila is located here. This is also the spot where Lakshman ji went back to his original form of Shesha. For detailed story read Ayodhya Mahtmya.
Guptaar Ghat which is little away from the city and best visited by boat. There is a royal temple here along with Guptahari temple. This is the place where Sri Ram took Jala Samadhi at the end of his time on earth.
My favorite time to visit the ghats of ancient rivers is early morning. This is when you can see the city waking up and many sadhus taking their bath in the river. Pandits are preparing for the day when they will help many pilgrims with different Pujas and Tarpans.
Do notice the various Jhandas that are like brands used by different pandits. This is to inform their Yajamana or clients, where they are located on the ghats.
You can also see the young boys diving into the river to pick coins thrown by the pilgrims.
Main Temples in Ayodhya
1. Sri Ram Mandir
The grand new Sri Ram Mandir at the birthplace of Sri Ram is obviously the main reason most people today visit Ayodhya. It is a temple that has been rebuilt at its rightful place after a struggle of 500 years involving many generations of our ancestors.
I am yet to visit this temple though I have visited the place before the temple many times.
Enjoy the blessings of Sri Ram Lalla Virajman.
2. Hanumangarhi
It is said that when Sri Ram decided to go back to Vaikuntha, he left Ayodhya in the care of Hanuman ji. He is since then sitting on top of the hill now called Hanumangarhi.
It is a small but beautiful temple. From its rooftop you get a good view of Ayodhya as well as temples of Ayodhya. I feel a strong presence of Hanuman Shakti in this temple.
Bright yellow laddus are offered to Hanuman ji. He is also present in the form of many monkeys who will try their best to take the laddus from you.
If possible, sit and join the Ram Dhun that is sung in this temple.
3. Kanak Bhawan
Kanak Bhawan literally means the golden mansion. This temple is believed to be the palace of Sita ji, that was gifted to get by Kaikeyee. The structure is new but a board at the temple tells you about the renovations done to it, some dating back to the time of Sri Krishna. The last major one being done by the queen of Orchha. Remember Orchha also treats Sri Ram as Raja Ram.
When I visited, this was the most well worshipped temple in Ayodhya. It is wonderful to sit and listen to the Ram Bhajans being sung. You will also learn the origin of popular Ram Stutis.
The temple is built more like a Haveli. I find it very peaceful and spiritually charged.
You must have food at Kanak Rasoi located just outside the temple.
4. Valmiki Mandir
Valmiki ji gave us Ramayana. His 24,000 verses not just told us the story of Sri Ram as his contemporary but they also became the inspiration for generations of writers to take inspiration from.
In Ayodhya Valmiki Temple celebrates the Adi Kavya – the first poetic saga of the world on its walls. It has all the 24,000 shlokas written on its walls.
You can also find the unique Sita Ram bank on the first floor of this temple. You can buy as well as deposit the Ram Nam Lekhan Japa books here. Lekhan Japa is also a form of Sadhana.
You find Ramcharitmanas written on the walls of Tulsi Manas Mandir in Varanasi.
5. Kaleram Mandir
This small temple built by the Maratha community has a beautiful vigraha in black Saligrama stone. It is said that this is the original Murti of Ram Janamasthan temple, that was installed by the king Vikramaditya who rebuilt Ayidhya about 2000 years ago. During the medieval invasions, it was secretly kept hidden is waters of Sarayu and then installed in this temple.
The vigraha is simply beautiful and you can feel that is a well worshipped murti of Sri Ram Parivar.
This is also the place of Vishuhari of the seven Vishnu Murtis in Ayodhya.
6. Nageshwar Natha Shiva Mandir
In the abode of Vishnu, Shiva cannot be far away. This beautiful temple has an ancient Shivalinga along with temples dedicated to Shiv Parivar like Ganesha and Parvati. It is believed that this Shivalinga was installed by Kush, the son of Sri Ram.
I remember this as a colorful temple with lovely wood carvings all around. It is located close to Kaleram Mandir.
7. Bada Sthan or Dashrath Mahal
This temple cum Ashram is visible from a distance due to its ornate colorful gate. This is believed to be the palace of Dashrath Maharaj, the father of Sri Ram. This means that Sri Ram would have spent his childhood here.
Now, it is an ashram, also called Akhada. I remember listening to Ram Dhun being sung here one evening. This singing has been going on uninterrupted here since 1998.
The inside is still decorated like a palace exhibiting colorful grandeur. The temple is dedicated to Ram Rajsabha.
It is located at a walkable distance from Hanumangarhi.
8. Badi Devkali
Devkali is the kuladevi of Sri Ram and Ikshvaku Vamsha. This is a large temple with a large pond around it. The devi here is Trigunatmak or representing the three gunas in one Murti.
When I visited, I found it as one of the most Jagrit temples of Ayodhya.
9. Chhoti Devkali
This is a small temple with beautiful images of Devi carved on the walls. It is believed that this Devi came to Ayodhya with Sita Ji. This means that she was in Mithila and after Ram Janaki Vivah she came to Ayodhya and has been here since then.
10. Adinath Jain Mandir
First Jain Tirthankar Adinath Rishabhdev ji was also born in Ayodhya. In fact he belonged to the same solar dynasty as Sri Ram.
There is a Digambar jain temple that has his grand Pratima. It also has a beautiful Murti of Chakreshwari Devi.
Temples Around Ayodhya
1. Nandigram
Nandigram is little on the outskirts of the city of Ayodhya, about 22 kms away. This is the place where Bharat lived outside the city limits of Ayodhya for 14 years when Sri Ram was in exile. Small temples celebrate the meeting of Hanuman and Bharat here during that time.
This is also the place where Tarpan are performed. Read our detailed post on – Nandigram
2. Surya Kund and Surya Mandir
Surya Dev or Sun has an inherent connection with Ayodhya. The dynasty that ruled from here is called Suryavansha or the solar dynasty. I was looking out for a Sun temple in Ayodhya. However, I found it little away from the city, on the 14 Kosi yatra marg, on way to Nandigram.
There is a pond called Surya Kunda with a small temple dedicated to Surya here. Pandit ji here told me that many people come here to treat diseases that are typically said to be cured by Sun.
There is Girija Kund close to this.
3. Bilvahahari and Dashrath Samadhi
Ayodhya had seven ancient Murtis of four armed Vishnu. Of which only one of Chakrahari remains, which can be seen at Guptaar ghat. However, the places of these seven are still known. One of this is Bilvahari.
Located close to this small temple is a temple which is believed to be the place where the Raja Dashrath took samadhi.
Other Ayodhya Temples To See
- Treta ke Thakur Mandir
- Roosi Mandir – the twin temples with bow and arrows carved on their top.
- Char Dham Mandir
- Birla Mandir
- Mari Mata Mandir at Guptaar Ghat
- Ahilya Bai Holkar Mandir
- Sarayu Mandir dedicated to the living Tirtha Sarayu Mata
- Mantreshwar Mahadev Temple at Janaura on the 14 Kosi Parikrama Marg.
Other Things to See in Ayodhya
- Raj Sadan – the residence of royal family of Ayodhya. It has a beautiful Darshaneshwar Mahadev temple in its premises.
2. Koshal Sangrahalya or museum in Avadh University Premises
3. International Ram Katha Sangrahalya or Museum and Art Gallery
4. Mani Parvat where it is believed the jewels that came with Sita ji were piled up. Sita Kund is located close to it.
5. Ashrams and Akhadas
6. Birthplace of Queen Hue – the princess of Ayodhya who became the queen of Korea
7. Gumnami Baba Samadhi – As per one theory Gumnami baba is none other than Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
8. Kautak Sthan Gurudwara at Brahma Kunda
9. Jata Kund
We will soon write detailed posts on some of these places in Ayodhya.
