I am delighted to share that
my wife and I had the profound privilege of visiting the sacred Shri Ram
Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra in Ayodhya on Sunday, 27th September 2026.
It was a journey filled with deep devotion, peace, and unforgettable moments. (We
were in Ayodhya from 26th evening to 29th September afternoon)
Divine Darshans at the Sanctum Sanctorum
Our pilgrimage offered us
close and deeply satisfying darshans of Balak Ram (Ram Lalla) as
well as the magnificent Ram Darbar - where Lord Rama is seated
gracefully on a throne alongside Sita Devi, surrounded by His brothers and Lord
Hanuman.
- Morning Darshans: We arrived early in the morning and
availed wheelchair assistance for our first darshan. The experience
was so surreal that right after stepping out, we walked back a few steps
and re-entered the garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) for a second darshan,
before proceeding to pay our respects at the Ram Darbar.
- Night Sayan Aarti: The highlight of our visit came at
night. We spent around 30 minutes inside the sanctum sanctorum during the Sayan
Aarti. For 16 blissful minutes, the curtains remained open, allowing
us to sit right in front of Balak Ram. Surrounded by fellow devotees, we
chanted aloud:
“Sri Ram,
Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram”
The
spiritual energy in the air was electric and deeply moving.
After the
next ten photographs of the temple premises, you will find information about
the sacred sites in and around Ayodhya, along with photographs of these revered
places. And towards the end of this article, you can read a detailed account of
the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple.
Exploring the Sacred Places in and Around Ayodhya
During the rest of our stay,
we journeyed across Ayodhya and nearby places to visit several historically and
spiritually significant sites:
1. Hanuman Garhi Mandir
Perched atop a hill accessed
by 76 steps, this 10th-century temple shrine is dedicated to Lord Hanuman, who
is believed to guard Ayodhya. Tradition holds that devotees must visit Hanuman
Garhi before seeking the blessings of Lord Rama.
2. Amawa Ram Mandir (Ram Rasoi)
Located very close to the
Ram Janmabhoomi complex, this peaceful temple is renowned for its serene
ambience, daily distribution of Ram Prasadam, and beautifully maintained
shrines.
3. Mani Parvat Mandir
Rising about 65 feet high,
Mani Parvat offers panoramic views of Ayodhya. Legend has it that this mound
formed when a portion of the Sanjeevani Booti hill fell here while Lord
Hanuman was carrying it to Lanka.
4. Surya Kund Mandir
A tranquil solar pond and
temple dedicated to the Sun God (Surya Dev). According to belief, Lord Surya
rested here during the grand celebrations following Lord Rama's return to
Ayodhya.
5. Nandigram – The Land of Bharata’s Devotion
About 20 km
from Ayodhya lies Nandigram, one of the most poignant places associated with
the Ramayana. It was here that Bharata, refusing to occupy the throne of
Ayodhya during Lord Rama’s fourteen-year exile, lived a life of austerity and
devotion. When Rama entrusted his Padukas (sacred sandals) to Bharata, Bharata
placed them on the throne and ruled the kingdom only as Rama’s representative.
Nandigram is traditionally regarded as the place where he spent the years
awaiting Rama’s return.
The
principal attraction is Bharat Kund, a sacred water body associated with
Bharata’s prayers and rituals. Nearby are Bharat Mandir, Charan
Paduka Mandir, Bharat Gufa, and the shrine commemorating the meeting
of Bharata and Hanuman. The sacred precincts also include an ancient Vat
Vriksha (banyan tree), 27 Tirthas / Sacred Well, all traditional
places associated with Bharata’s life at Nandigram.
6. Guptar Ghat
Situated along the banks of
the sacred Sarayu River, Guptar Ghat is the revered location where Lord Rama is
believed to have taken Jal Samadhi to return to His heavenly abode (Vaikuntha).
7. Chhoti Devkali Mandir
An ancient temple dedicated
to Goddess Devkali, the clan deity (Kuldevi) of the Ikshvaku dynasty.
According to legend, Mata Sita brought an idol of Goddess Kali to Ayodhya after
her marriage to Lord Rama and worshipped here regularly.
8. Shri Nageshwar Nath Mandir
Situated near Ram Ki Paidi,
this revered Shiva temple is believed to have been established by Lord Rama’s
son, Kush, for a Nag Kanya (serpent maiden) who fell in love with him after
retrieving his lost armlet from the Sarayu River.
9. Shri Kale Ram Mandir
A unique and historic temple
located near the Sarayu River, housing rare idols of Lord Rama, Sita Devi,
Lakshmana, Bharata, Shatrughna, and Lord Hanuman carved out of a single black
basalt stone (Shaligram).
10. Ram Ki Paidi
A majestic series of
interconnected ghats along the Sarayu River, beautifully illuminated in the
evenings. It serves as a major focal point for pilgrims, cultural gatherings,
and the grand annual Deepotsav celebrations.
11. Sarayu Ghat
The primary sacred
riverfront along the Sarayu River where devotees gather to take a holy dip (snan),
perform religious rituals, and soak in the divine tranquility of Ayodhya Dham.
12. Lata Mangeshkar Chowk
A grand modern landmark at a
key intersection in Ayodhya, dedicated to the legendary singer Bharat Ratna
Lata Mangeshkar. It features an impressive 40-foot, 14-tonne bronze Veena set
within a beautifully landscaped square accompanied by her devotional chants.
13. Kanak Bhawan
Popularly known as the
"House of Gold," this magnificent palace-temple was gifted to Mata
Sita by Queen Kaikeyi following her marriage to Lord Rama. The temple inner
sanctum houses beautifully adorned deities wearing ornate gold crowns.
14. Dashrath Mahal
Located in the heart of
Ayodhya, this historic royal palace marks the residence of King Dasharatha
where Lord Rama and his brothers spent their childhood days.
15. Sarayu Aarti
A soul-stirring devotional
ceremony held every evening along the banks of the Sarayu River, where priests
perform grand synchronized lamp offerings accompanied by Vedic chants, ringing
bells, and floating diyas.
16. Laser Show at Surya Kund
A captivating evening light-and-sound spectacle held over the waters of Surya Kund, utilizing water-screen projections and vibrant lasers to illustrate the epic life journey of Lord Rama and the glorious history of Ayodhya.
