Ayodhya – The Birthplace of Lord Rama

A devout Hindu does not need an introduction to the legend of Lord Rama or his city of birth – Ayodhya. Also known as Awadh city or Oudh, Ayodhya is located in the North Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. This city is an important pilgrimage site for Hindus and is one of the Seven Sacred Cities of Hindus in the country. A number of devotees come to this city all round the year though the crowd swells in numbers during festivals such as Ram Navami and important religious ceremonies. There are approximately seven thousand temples in Ayodhaya, of which a hundred are more significant.

Though it is not possible to visit all these temples on your trip to the city, you should at least pay homage at the Janmabhoomi Temple that marks the site of birth of Lord Rama and offer prayers at Ramkot, the chief place of worship in the city. Furthermore, do not forget to take a dip in the sacred Saryu River that flows through the city. Another must-visit holy shrine in Ayodhaya is Hanuman Garhi that is located in the heart of the city. There are a number of temples located along Guptar Ghat such as Chakra Harji Vishnu Temple and Raja Mandir.