Ayodhya is a city of our culture, our history, and of our recognition. Situated on the banks of the holy river Saryu is the birthplace of the most reverend Lord Shri Ram.

Not only Hindus, but foreigners also want to visit Ayodhya once in their life. According to the reports of the Times of India, Around 2.5 million tourists would visit Ayodhya in 2022, of which 70,000 were foreigners. But what is the reason behind it that it attracts millions of tourists every year? Let’s find out.

Ayodhya is the center of Uttar Pradesh and is located in the northern region of India. This city is in the east of Lucknow and Faizabad,130km & 6km respectively. Situated on the bank of river Sarya the weather of Ayodhya is tropical. April- June is the season of hot summers while the peak winter of this city comes in from November to February. Between July to September, the southern monsoon hits Ayodhya.

WHY PEOPLE WANTS TO VISIT AYODHYA ONCE IN LIFE?

The biggest reason behind it is that it connects people with Lord Shri Ram. Ayodhya is directly connected with people’s emotions and devotion.

Many famous kings like- Ikshvaku, Prithu, Mandhata, Harishchandra, Sagar, Bhagirath, Raghu, Dileep, Dashrath, and Ram ruled this city.

According to our holy book Ramcharitmanas, King Dasharatha was the king of Ayodhya and his elder son Shri Ram left all the kingdom and luxury behind just to keep the promise of his father, and the promise was he had to leave in the jungle for 14 years.

He kept the words of his father and completed his promise. When he came back after completing the exile, he got the kingdom of the city and the people of the city welcomed him with flowers and light lamps in joy and happiness. This shows the value of promise and respect for parents. People visit Ayodhya just to feel this divine devotion of Love, kindness, and discipline.

BEST TIME TO VISIT AYODHYA

Honestly, there is no good time to visit such places where you find peace and happiness. But if you are visiting Ayodhya at the time of festivals such as Dipawali, Ram Navami, or Dussehra, you can automatically feel and see why it is considered a place to visit once in life.

Ayodhya during Dipawali

Diwali, the festival of lights, happiness, and joy. Everywhere we can see only lights everywhere. This festival is linked with Lord Shri Ram, Shri Ram returned to Ayodhya after 14 years on this day after defeating Ravana. People welcomed Lord Shri Ram by lighting diyas all over the city. Every house, street, and corner of the city lited up with light. Since then till now every year we celebrated Diwali as it represents happiness, joy, and brightness.

Eye-catching views during Diwali you can’t miss in Ayodhya. In 2017 CM Yogi Aditya Nath started an event known as Deep0tsav and it is growing on a bigger scale every year. Last year nearly 14.5 lakh diyas were lamped in Ayodhya which 9 lakh diyas were lit along the Saryu river and 3 lakh diyas in different places of Ayodhya.

It is absolutely true that Ayodhya’s Diwali is different from the rest of the country and that is the reason why even foreigners visit the birthplace of Lord Shri Ram to seek his blessings.

Before lighting the diyas approx 81 persist perform puja on the bank of river Saryu. The river Sarayu becomes a sea of ​​diyas and lights up with a bright yellow color. The air and atmosphere fill with the slogans of Jai Shri RamThe energy and atmosphere are next level during Diwali.

Experience Dussehra in Ayodhya

The city of Love Ayodhya is totally connected with Lord Shri Ram.  And no other place can celebrate Dussehra like Ayodhya. Two events that you cannot miss during Dussehra in Ayodhya are Ram Leela & Raavan Dahan.Ram Leela takes us back to Lord Ram. This event started in 1950 and since then lakhs of people have visited Ram Leela every year. Famous personalities like Manoh Tiwari, Nirahua, and Ravi Kishan perform Ram Leela and the event depicts the life and story of Lord Ram and Mother Sita.

Basically, there are two reasons to celebrate Dussgera. and both reasons are pointing just one conclusion: The victory of truth over evil. Shri Ram killed Ravan, and it was celebrated as the winning of truth over evil. From that time till now, we celebrated Dussehra by burning the dummy of Ravan to celebrate the victory of truth.

Dusshera which is also known as Vijyadashmi. Durga maa killed Demon Mahishasur in order to bring peace to the earth. The festival of Navratri is celebrated because the battle between Maa Durga and the demon Mahishasur lasted for 10 days. Demon span for ten days and on the tenth day Maa Durga killed Mahishasur while he was in the form of buffalo. Maa Durga was riding the lion with a trident in her hand. The battle shows that the truth always wins no matter how powerful the lie is.

During Dussehra, the whole city lights up with positivity and happiness. Dussehra is a ritual festival of our culture and last year in 2022 a 42 feet effigy of Ravana was burnt in Ayodhya and 70 years old Ram Leela community organizes this event. A fascinating event that you must visit once in your life.

Ram Navmi Fair in Ayodhya

Ram Navami is celebrated in the month of March-April just after Chaitra Navratri. This festival is also connected to Lord Shri Ram. This festival is also celebrated with pure devotion with the chant of Jai Shree Ram.

Ram Navami is celebrated on the ninth day of Chaitra month according to the Hindu calendar. Also, it is the first day of the new year for Hindus. Lord Shrin Ram was born in Treta Yug on the Navami Tithi of Shukla Paksha . To celebrate the birth of the king of Ayodhya every year we celebrate Ram Navmi.

Basically, everything that is connected with Lord Shri Ram you can feel in Ayodhya. Most people visit Ayodhya from September to March as during these times you can enjoy all the main three festivals that Ayodhay is known for.

PLACES TO VISIT IN AYODHYA

Ayodhya is a city of attraction not just for Indians but for foreigners too. That place becomes more in the news when Pm Narendra Modi laid the foundation of Shri Ram Mandir on august 5, 2020. Lord Shri ram and Ram Mandir is the emotion of every Hindu and the announcement of the Ram Mandir is enough to express our love and devotion for Lord Shri Ram.

Shri Ram Janm Bhoomi

If you are in Ayodhya then you cannot leave this city without visiting Shri Ram Janm Bhoomi. A place that is connected from the heart of every Hindu. Presently a temple is being built at this place and a 181 feet tall idol of Lord Shri Ram will be installed in it.

Hanumangarhi

The 10th-century ancient temple has circular fortifications in each corner. Our mythology says that Lord Hanuman protected the city from this temple and he lived in the case. The Hanumangarhi temple has a golden idol of Lord Hanuman and every day thousands of devotees visit Hnaumngarhi to offer prayers and seek Lord Hanuman’s protection from evils, and blessing for happiness and prosperity

Shri Nageswarnath Temple

As per mythology, the Son of Lord Shri Ram built this temple. Kush was taking bath in the Saryu river and his armlet fell into the water. A nag kanya got his armlet and returened it to  Kush. Then they both fell in love with each other and the son of Lord Shri Ram, Kush built this temple for her. A shiv linga is also ensconced here and it is one of the most ancient temples in Ayodhya. Every year this temple attracts many devotees during Mahashivratri.

Jain Shrines

Jain Shrines is the birthplace of Lord Shri Ram and also considers the birthplace of five Jain Tirthankars. Many pilgrims reach this town every year to pay obeisance to the great saints. Also, temples that belong to Jain are located here such as  Lord Adinath Temple near Swargdwar, Lord Anantnath Temple at GolaGhat, Lord Sumantnath shrine at Ramkot, Lord Ajitnath Temple near Saptsagar and Lord Abhinandannath Temple in Sarai locality. Apart from these in the Raniganj area. There is a huge Jain temple situated where the 21ft tall idol of Lord Adinath, (Rishabhdevji), is the first Tirthankars of devotees visit. This temple offers prayer and seeks Lord Hanuman’s protection from evils and blessing for happiness and prosperity.

Ramkot

The major center of attraction in Ayodhya. The best time to visit Ramkot is in summer from 6:00 am to 10:00 am and 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm while in winter from 7:00 am to 10:30 am and 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. It is situated on high ground and filled with temples. Chaitra Navratri is celebrated here with lots of joy and many pilgrims not only from India but also foreigners visit Ramkot to pay obeisance to Lord Ram.