ayodhya sri rama temple

Overview

Ayodhya is on the right bank of River Ghagra or Saryu, as it is called within sacred precincts, on latitude 26o 48’ north and longitude 82o 13’ east in north India. Just 6 km from Faizabad, Ayodhya is a popular pilgrim centre. This town is closely associated with Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The ancient city of Ayodhya,according to the Ramayana, was founded by Manu, the law-giver of the Hindu. For centuries, it was the capital of the descendants of the Surya dynasty of which Lord Rama was the most celebrated king. Ayodhya during ancient times was known as Kaushaldesa. Sri Raghunayaka (Sri Rama) temple is located in Sarayu, Ayodhya, in the district of Faizabad, in the state of Uttar Pradesh. This temple is nearly 1000-2000 years old. The presiding deity is Raghunayaka (Sri Rama) and the mother Goddess is Sita Devi. The singers associated with this temple are Thondaradipodi Azhwar, Tirumangai Azhwar and Kulasekhara Azhwar who has sung in their verses in praise of Ayodhya and Sri Rama.

About the Temple

In this sthalam only, Emperumaan took the Avathaar as Ramapiran as an ordinary king, who led the life as an ordinary human. And at the end of the Avathaar, along with other 3 brothers, he got mixed (ie) got mukthi in Sarayu River. This Divyadesam is said to be one among the 7 Mukthi Kshetrams. These 7 mukthi sthalam represents different part of the body of Sriman Narayanan. In a particular section of the temple, all have access to worship Rama. Here, Sri Rama graces in a sitting form facing north. A new temple, Ammaji Mandir is now built on the banks of Sarayu. There are shrines for Sri Ranganatha and Sri Rama here. Mother Sita, three brothers, Anjaneya and Garuda are with Sri Rama in the shrine. This is a shrine where the devotee can worship all together.

Theertham

Sarayu River

Vimaanam

Pushkala Vimaanam

About the Deity

The Moolavar of Ayodhya is Sri Ramar. He is also called with the names "Chakravarthy Thirumagan", facing his thirumugham towards North direction. Prathyaksham for Bharadhan, all Devars and Maharishis. The Thaayar of this divyadesam is Seetha Piratiiyaar.

Legend and Stories

The Ramayana is said to have started and ended in this sthalam. Sri Rama explains how an ordinary human should be and it explains the Sathya path which leads him to the final mukthi. This Divyadesam is said to be one among the 7 Mukthi Kshetrams. These 7 mukthi sthalam represents different part of the body of Sriman Narayanan. Avanthi is represented as the divine feet, Thiruvadi of the perumal, Kachipuram, represents the waist, Thirudwaraka represents the Nabhi (the lower stomach), Maya represents the Thiru maarbhu (the chest) Madhura represents the neck, Kasi represents the nose and finally, this Ayodhya Kshetram represents the Head of the perumal. Thats the reason it is said to be one of the most important among the 7 Mukthi kshetram. Sri Ramar by killing Ravanan explains to the world that all the life led and its destiny ends only through ones character. Sri Ramar led his life by thinking of only one life parter, Seetha Piratti, his wife along with his bow (vil). He followed his previous generationed member and followed their words. Thus, the Rama avathaar explains about one word, one bow and one wife and all the characters are found inside Sri Ramar. When Emperumaan took the human avathaar, as Sri Ramar, Periya piratti came as his wife as Seetha piratti, the Aadhiseshan as his brother, Lakshmanan and perumal's sangu and chakkaram took their birth as "Bharadhan and Sathrukkanan. Hanuman born as the hamsam of Sivaperumaan. This Avathaar of Sriman Narayanan as "Sri Ramar", shows the best and excellent characters of all human and explains how all must be. By giving the entire Raajyam (empire) of Ayodhi to Bharathar as asked by Kaikeyi he gave the entire Raajyam and left out from Ayodhi to a forest. This character shows the obiedience for Kaikeyi, inspite of she doing harm by making him to go to the forest.

By helping Sukreevan and Vibheeshanan, Sri Ramar explains about the great friendship character and finally, the mercy and love showed towards Sri Hanuman is the ultimate character of Sri Ramar. This Ayodhya sthalam is siad to be the birth place of Sri Ramar and he got Mukthi (Paramapadham) only from this Ayodhya sthalams and it is said to be the final place where the Rama avathaar ended. Brahmadevan did strong tapas towards Sriman Narayanan. The perumal gave his prathyaksham for Brahma and both of them hugged together. On seeing the great bhakti of Brahmadevan, Sriman Narayanan is so emotionally attracted towards him and his (perumal) eyes started to swell tears. But Brahma devan doesnt want the tears to let down it into the earth and he collected all of his tears in the Kamandalam (a small vessel which all the Rishis have). Using his power, Brahma devan created a pushkarani and all the drops of tears was mixed into the pushkarani. And that is called the Maanasasaras in the Himalayas. Since, the theertham is created along with the tears drops of perumal and the Manasika power (created from his heart fulfilled) of Brahma devar, this theertham is so called as "Maanasasaras".

When Itsuraku was ruling Ayodhya he said his plea that if a river flows in his empire he would feel happy to Vasishta Maharishi. Vasishta Maharishi went towards Brahma devan in Sathya loka and along with the help of him, he made to flow the Maanasasaras to flow near his city . Since, Maansasaras was made to flow in Ayodhi, it is called as "Sarayu Nadhi". Since, this river flowed as the step taken by Vasistar, this theertham is also called as "Vasistai". This river is said to be the body of a women and said that it talked to Sri Ramar and Dasarathar because of this, the river is also called as "Rama Gangai". It is said that earlier Ayodhya had 2700 temple of Sri Ramar near the South shore of Sarayu Nadhi. Swayavambhuvamanu, who was the first son of Brahma devan, met in Sathya lokam and asked him which is the place he need to start the task of creation. Brahma along with his son, went towards Sriman Narayanan in Sri Vaikuntam. Through Brahma devan, Sriman Narayanan hands over the middle portion of Sri Vaikuntam which is said to be the Ayodhi Raajyam. This explains that all the wealth of Grandfather belongs to Grandson (ie) since Brahma devan emerged from the Naabhi of Sri Mahavishnu he is considered to be his son and Swayavambhuvamanu is considered as the grandson of Mahavishnu. This is the reason why alwar say: "Ambuyothon Ayodhi Mannarkku Alitha kovil".

Festivals

Sri Rama Navami, the birth day of Sri Rama is grandly celebrated in the temple falling during March-April.

Significance

Offering Tulsi garland dear to Rama’s heart and writing ‘Sri Rama Jayam’ is a fitting prayer commitment to Him. We should also chant His name ever. It relieves us from worldly sufferings.

Accessibility

The nearest airports are in Amausi Airport (Lucknow-134 km), Bumrauli Airport (Allahabad - 166 km). 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. Ayodhya is connected by road to several major cities and towns.

Temple Address