Ayodhya

Lord Rama was born and had many of his pastimes here. His pastimes are explained in the famous Ramayana. It is a very holy city and is an important pilgrimage site. It is one of the seven main holy cities in India.

It is on the banks of the Gogra (Ghaghara or Saryu) River, bathing in which is supposed to destroy even the sin of killing a Brahmin. There is a popular temple dedicated to Hanuman called Hanuman Gadhi on top of a small hill. It is located right by the main road where the tempos from Faizabad stop. Kanak Bhavan, which is an interesting temple, and Kala Rama Temple, by the river, both have Deities of Sita and Rama.

The Birla Temple, is a beautiful marble temple. It has Sita, Rama and Laksman Deities. There is a nice area by the river surrounding Laksman Ghat, where Laksman, the brother of Rama, is said to have bathed.

Vasistha Kund is a temple that contains a small round kund, which is like a well. Rama is said to have performed a yajna (sacrifice) at Treta Ka Mandir. There are Sita-Rama Deities in this temple. Kaushalya, the mother of Rama, is said to have established the Kshireswara Nath Temple for Sita.

On 6 December 1992, the Babri Masjid mosque (15th century) that was located at what is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama was destroyed by a large group of Hindus. After this there were riots in different places in India, during which many people were killed. Since then the town has been peaceful.
Ayodhya is 6km from the town of Faizabad, about 150km due east of Lucknow, and 200km northwest of Varanasi. Janmabhoomi Rama Janma Bhoomi is where Lord Rama is said to have taken birth. There is a small Lord Rama Temple here. A steady stream of pilgrims come here each day. Open 7 to 10 am and 2 to 5 pm. There is a heavy security check here, and they even ask to see your passport. They search you thoroughly, even worse than at an airport. Cameras are prohibited and you are not supposed to bring even a pen in with you.