Ram Janaki Temple

Overview

About the city

Ayodhya is located on the right bank of River Ghagra or Saryu in north India. Just 6 km away from Faizabad, Ayodhya is a popular pilgrim centre. It is associated with Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

History of Ayodhya

According to the Ramayana, the ancient city of Ayodhya was founded by Manu, the law-giver of the Hindus. For centuries it was the capital of the decendants of the Surya Vansh. In the ancient times, Ayodhya was known as Kaushaldesha. The Atharvaveda described it as a city built by gods and being as prosperous as paradise itself. The ruling dynasty of this region was the lkshvakus of the Surya Vansh. According to tradition lkshvaku was the eldest son of Vaivasvata Manu, who established himself at Ayodhya. The earth is said to have derived its name ‘Prithvi’ from Prithu, the 6th king of the line.

A few generations later came Mandhatri, in whose line the 31st king was Harishchandra, known widely for his love for truth. Raja Sagar of the same clan performed the Ashvamedha Yajna and his great grandson Bhagirath is reputed to have brought Ganga on earth by virtue of his penances. Later in the time came the great Raghu, after whom the family came to be called as ‘Raghu Vansh’. His grandson was Raja Dasharatha, the father of Lord Rama, with whom the glory of the dynasty reached its zenith. The 93rd generation from lkshvaku and the 30th from Lord Rama was Vrihadbala, the last famous king of the lkshvaku dynasty of Ayodhya, who was killed during the Mahabharata war.

The kingdom of Kosala again rose to prominence at the time of the Buddha, during 6th century B.C. Buddha preached his ‘Dharma’ in Ayodhya. According to legends, five Jain Tirthankaras were born here and it was the seat of the first Tirthankar Adinath. This city was also visited by Sikh Gurus, Guru Nanak Dev, Guru Teg Bahadur and Guru Gobind Singh. Hieun Tsang, the Chinese traveler, also visited Ayodhya in the 7th century and described it in glowing terms. In recent years, Ayodhya has become the focus of intense political activity by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, an organisation which wants to assert a form of militant Hinduism. In 1990, the VHP and the BJP claimed that Ayodhya was Ramjanmabhoomi, the Rama's birth place. This place is beneath the Babri Mosque built by Babur.

Festivals in Ayodhya

Ram Navami and Shravan Jhoola Mela are the main festivals which are celebrated in Ayodhya. Ram Navami falls on the 9th day of the bright fortnight of Chaitra (March-April). The people from all parts of the country gather on the banks of Saryu river. The birth of Lord Rama is celebrated at midnight, when Ayodhya is filled with the sound of conches and bells. Shravan Jhoola Mela starts on the third day of the second half of Shravana (July-August) and lasts till the end of the month. The images of the Lord Rama, Lakshman and Sita are swung in the temples and then taken in Mani Parvat, where a big gathering joins in swinging these deities. The deities are later brought back to the temples.

Tourist Attractions in Ayodhya

The famous places in Ayodhya are Shri Ramjanma Bhoomi, Ramkote, Kanak Bhavan, Swargdwar, Nageshwarnath Temple, Hanumangarhi, Treta Ke Thakur, Tulsi Smarak Bhawan and Ramkatha Museum. The Guptar Ghat, Raj Ghat, Ram Ghat, Lakshman Ghat, Janki Ghat, Naya Ghat, Dantdhavan Kund, Vidya Kund are the main ghats in Ayodhya. There are also several Jain temples at Ayodhya.  The Ramkote is the main place of worship in Ayodhya.

The ancient citadel of Ramkote stands on an elevated ground in the western part of the city. Presently, the area is occupied by buildings, mostly temples and maths. This place is visited by pilgrims throughout the year, but mainly during the Ram Navami, the birth of Lord Rama. Shri Ramjanma Bhoomi is believed to be discovered by King Vikramaditya. It is the birth place of Lord Rama. On the auspicious day of Ram Navami, the devotees come here in large numbers. The strip of land from Sahastradhara to Nageshwarnath temple is commonly known as Swargdwar.

The buildings on the Ghat facing the river were mainly built during the reign of Nawab Safa Jung and his Hindu minister Naval Rai, who is credited in particular for their construction. The buildings and the ghats offer a fine view. In recent years, the river bed has shifted northwards, leaving the Ghats, therefore the new Ghats were built around 1960 along the new bridge. It is popularly known as ‘pairi’ and offers an excellent view from the bridge.

About The Temple

The temple and adjoining buildings were constructed in 1947 by Mohanlal Kejariwal. The building is also known as Nepali Kothi.It was known as Sita-Ram Var Vivah Kunj earlier, but later it was converted into a trust called the Janaki Mahal Trust,which manages the temple today. There are five temples of Ram Janaki, Shiva, Hanuman, Shri Ganesha and Ram Lala. Ram-Sita Vivah Mahotasav, Ramnavami, Shravan Jhula festivals are celebrated here. Devotional songs are sung at these sites all day long.

Legend and Stories

History

Historically, Saketa was an important city by the 6th century B.C. During the Buddha's time it was ruled by Pasenadi, whose capital was at Sravasti. Saketa continued its prominence during the Maurya rule and suffered an attack around 190 B.C. by a Bactrian Greek expedition allied to Panchala and Mathura. After the fall of the Maurya and Shunga dynasties, the city came under the rule of Deva and Datta kings. An inscription found at Ayodhya refers to a king Dhanadeva, who claimed to be the sixth descendant of Pushyamitra Shunga. Under the Gupta rulers, Ayodhya reached its highest political importance. The Chinese pilgrim Fa-Hsien visited the city in the 5th century A.D., referring to it as "Sha-chi". During the reign of Kumaragupta or Skandagupta, the capital of the empire was moved from Pataliputra to Ayodhya. The old name "Saketa" is now replaced by "Ayodhya," and firmly identified as Rama's capital city. Under Narasimhagupta, the empire was ravaged by the Huns. Subsequently in the 6th century, the political centre of North India shifted to Kanauj and Ayodhya fell into relative oblivion.

In 1226 A.D., Ayodhya became the capital of the province of Awadh (or "Oudh") within the Delhi sultanate. Muslim historians state that the area was little more than wilderness prior to this. Pilgrimage was tolerated, but the tax on pilgrims ensured that the temples did not receive much income. The temple that might have been at the supposed birth spot of Rama was replaced by a mosque in 1528 A.D., the so-called "Babri Masjid." After the death of Aurangzeb in 1707 A.D., the central Muslim rule weakened, and Awadh became virtually independent, with Ayodhya as its capital. However, the rulers became increasingly dependent on the local Hindu nobles, and control over the temples and pilgrimage centres was relaxed. The rulers of Ayodhya were Shia. The Sunni groups began to protest against the permissive attitude of the government. The British intervened and crushed the Sunni resistance. In 1857, the British annexed Oudh (Awadh) and subsequently reorganised it into the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh.

The local government of Ayodhya and South Korea acknowledged the connection and held a ceremony to raise a statue of the princess on the banks of the Sarayu River. The adopted Korean name of the princess is Heo Hwang-ok, the first queen of Geumgwan Gaya Dynasty and the ancestor of the Korean Kim family of Kimhae and Heo. In the 7th century CE, Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang), the Chinese monk, recorded many Hindu temples in Ayodhya. In the epic Ramayana, the city of Ayodhya is cited as the birthplace of Lord Sri Rama, a Hindu deity who was worshipped as Lord Vishnu's seventh incarnation. Ayodhya became a famous pilgrimage destination in the 15th century when Ramananda, the Hindu mystic, established a devotional sect of Sri Rama.

The Thai kingdom and city of Ayutthaya, and the Indonesian sultanate of Yogyakarta, are thought to be named after Ayodhya. Ayodhya, like other Indian cities, came under Mughal rule. With Muslim rulers established around the city under Mohammed of Ghor, it lost its strategic and economic importance to Lucknow and Kanpur. The 16th century witnessed a shift in power with Ayodhya coming under the rule of the Mughal Empire.  

Ayodhya was annexed in 1856 by the British rulers. Between 1857 and 1859, this place was one of the main centres where the first sparks of the fight for independence began, later leading to a nationwide revolt against the British East India Company of Calcutta.

Festivals

The Ram-Sita Vivah Mahotasav, Ramnavami, Shravan Jhula are festivals celebrated here with a lot of pomp and show. Devotional songs are sung day and night in the temple.

Ram Navmi

It is one of the Auspicious Festival, Celebrated in the Month of Chaitra Shukl Navmi to Mark the birth of lord Rama. Festival Comes to end with ‘Chhapan Bhog’ at the End of 15th day.108 Priest does Nava Path from first day of Chaitra shukla.

Janki Navmi

Maa Janki Birthday is Celebrated in the Month of Vaisakh Shukla Navmi. A Six day Celebration take Place with ‘Badhai and Ends with Chhapan Bhog’

Ram Vivah

Ram Janki Vivah is Celebrated in the Month of Marg Shukla Panchmi On Large Scale in Marwari Tradition. ‘Baraat’ of Lord Rama is one of the Main attraction.

Apart from these festivals the Trust also celebrates Holi, a 15 day ‘Saawan Jhula Mahotsav’, Shiv Ratri, Mahasakranti and Hanuman Jayanti.

Aarti / Seva

Aarti

Eight aartis are performed every day.

Sant Seva

Every day about 30 to 40 ‘Madhukari’ (Who takes food only once in a day) are given free food.

Bandar Seva

Every Morning and Evening Hundreds of Monkeys are fed with ‘Roti & Chhana’ and Seasonal Fruits.

Rituals

The Janaki Mahal Temple is visited by devotees throughout the year, though the influx of pilgrims is higher during special festive occasions like Sita Vivah Mahotsav, Ramnavmi and Shravan Jhula festival. During these occasions, devotees sing bhajans or devotional songs here all through the 24 hours of the day. Also, there are a total of eight aartis performed at the Janaki Mahal Temple during a day. It is one of the most favored religious destinations for devout believers in Lord Rama and Mata Janaki (Sita).Get Prasad from Janaki Mahal Temple, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.

The rituals include,

• Akhand Kirtan - Saints Chanting Sita-Ram Round The Clock is one of the attraction.
• Hanuman Chalisa - Eleven Brahmins chants ‘Hanuman Chalisas’ slokas, 108 times per day for Whole Year.
• Gaushala - Trust also runs Gaushala to look after Old Cows and supply of milk for Temple.
• Mai Kirtan - About 25 Old Ladies chants ‘Sita-Ram’ from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day.
• Sant Seva - Every day about 30 to 40 ‘Madhukari’ (Who takes food only once in a day) are given free food.
• Bandar Seva - Every Morning and Evening Hundreds of Monkeys are fed with ‘Roti & Chhana’ and Seasonal Fruits.

Welfare Schemes

The Trust Runs a charitable Hospital where free treatment and Medicines are provided to those who need it. Further, everyday, the trust caters free food to about 200 poor people.

Best Time to Visit

Throughout the year, especially during festivals & Parikramas of Ayodhya.

Significance

The Janaki mahal temple which is located in Ayodhya is dedicated to the Ram Sita Roop of Lord Vishnu and Devi Lakshmi. The temple, puja and prasad help improve relation between you and your partner, attract abundance and prosperity, achieve goals and attract wealth.

Significance of Prasad

The Janaki mahal mata prasad is very divine and is famous to solve all the problems we face in our life.

Accessibility

Airport

To reach Ayodhya by air, the nearest airports are Amausi Airport (Lucknow-134 km), Bumrauli Airport (Allahabad - 166 km).

Railways

Ayodhya is situated on the broad gauge Northern Railway line on Mughal Sarai – Lucknow main route. Ayodhya junction and Faizabad Railway Station are connected to various parts of the country.

Road

Hire a cycle rickshaw from any part of the city to reach the temple if you would like to take the road.It is also connected by road to several major cities and towns. Ayodhya is away from the following places with their distances mentioned:

Temple Address

Janki Mahal Trust,
Parikrama Road, Ayodhya,
Faizabad-224123.