'''Ayodhya''' is an ancient city and the old capital of Awadh, in the Faizabad district of Uttar Pradesh.

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1 Road : The city is about 130 k.m. from Lucknow, 200 k.m. from Varanasi, 160 k.m. from Allahabad, 140 k.m. from Gorakhpur and about 636 k.m. from Delhi. Buses are frequently available from Lucknow, Delhi and Gorakhpur. Buses are also available from Varanasi, Allahabad and other places.

2. Rail : Trains are available from Delhi, Lucknow, Varanasi and Allahabad.

3. Air : Faizabad has an Airport at Naka, near Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia University but no regular airlines services are available. Nearest airport is Lucknow (about 130 k.m.).

Ayodhya is ~20 km from Faizabad located on banks of river Saryu birth place of Lord Rama

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'''Ramkot''' The chief place of worship in Ayodhya is the site of the ancient citadel of Ramkot which stands on an elevated ground in the western part of the city. Although visited by pilgrims throughout the year, this sacred place attracts devotees from all over India and abroad, on `Ram Navami_f, the day of Lord_fs birth, which is celebrated with great pomp and show, in the Hindu month of Chaitra (March-April).

'''Nageshwarnath Temple''' Stands on the ghats (bank) of the river, on the east side of town. It is said to be built by Khush, Lord Rama's son. Legend has it that he almost destroyed the water-living Nagas (semi-divine snake people) because he suspected them of stealing his amulet. Only Lord Shiva's intervention saved the semi-divine snakes. Khush then established this temple showing the Nagas worshipping Lord Shiva, his father's favourite deity. Another version of this legend states that the lost amulet was found by a Nag-kanya (young girl from the Naga tribe), who fell in love with him, and as she was Lord Shiva's devotee he constructed this temple for her. (Open daily 5 am to 11 am and 12 pm to 8 pm).

'''Lakshmana Ghat''' On the banks of the Sarayu river, this is where Rama's brother Lakshman is said to have voluntarily given up his life-an act called samadhi. Another version says that he gave up living after he broke a vow.

'''Mani Parbat''' A former Buddhist vihara (cave with cells) that became a Hindu temple. It is dotted with little shrines and if you stand on the topmost terrace you get a splendid view of Ayodhya, one that includes a cluster of small white buildings at the base of the hill that turns out to be a Muslim graveyard.

'''Swarg Dwar''' According to mythology, Lord Rama is said to have been cremated here.

'''Mani Parbat and Sugriv Parbat''' The first of these ancient earth mounds is identified with a stupa built by the Emperor Ashoka, while the second is believed to be an ancient monastery.

'''Treta ke Thakur''' It is a temple that stands at the place where Rama is said to have performed the Ashwamedha Yagna. The Raja of Kulu is said to have built a new temple here about 300 years ago called Kaleram ka Mandir, where the idols of Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshman and Bharat have reportedly been carved out of a single block of black sandstone. These idols are supposed to be from the original Rama temple, which once stood on the banks of the River Sarayu.

'''Hanuman Garhi''' Situated right in the center of the town Hanuman Garhi is easily approachable. Visitors to Ayodhya must make a move towards Hanuman garhi. It is a massive structure in the shape of a four sided fort with circular bastions at each corner. The temple is highly revered for its imposing architecture and its religious value.

'''Kanak Bhawan''' Kanak Bhawan is situated near Hanuman Garhi. The Bhawan is frequented by scores of visitors every year. The Temple is widely known for the images of Sri Rama and Sita wearing gold crowns and because of this the Bhawan is also referred to as Sone-ka-Ghar. "Vijayraghaw temple". it is one of the best temple in ayodhya build in year2008.in this temple god Ram presented in 12 faces called 'Viswa-virat'(world's big).this temple made by red marbles and stainless steel. "Choti chawni". is a very big temle made by 100%white marble.

Do

Ayodhya being a sacred religious place, has lots to offer to a spiritual mind. Some of the fairs and festivals Ayodhya is famous for are,

'''Ram Lila''', the enactment of the story of Lord Rama is believed to have been started by great Saint Tulsidas. The Ramcharitmanas, written by him till today forms the basis of Ram Lila performances. In some places, Rama Lila is associated with Vijayadashmi celebrations in late September and early October and also with Rama Navami, the birthday of Lord Rama.

Ram lila, basically an enactment of a myth, is presented as a cycle-play with the story varying from 7 to 31 days. The Rama Lila performance evokes a festive atmosphere and enables observance of religious rites. It is also rich in performance of crafts such as costume jewellery, masks, headgear, make-up and decoration.

The four main Ram Lila styles are the pantomimic style with a predominance of jhankis ? tableaux pageants; the dialogue - based style with multi-local staging; the operative style which draws its musical elements from the folk operas of the region and the stage ? Ram Lila of the professional troupes called `mandalis_f.

Ayodhya is popular for mandali Ram Lila. The performance is dialogue ? based and presented on a platform stage. High standard of performance is complemented by songs and kathak dances and eye-catching decor.

'''Ram Navmi Mela''' - Ayodhya, the holy city of the sacred pilgrim centre of Hindus plays host to the Ram Navmi Festival in the month of April. Thousands of worshippers gather to venerate the Lord at Kanak Bhawan.

'''Sravan Jhula Mela''' - This mela celebrates the playful spirit of the deities. On the third day of the second half of Shravan, images of the deities (specially of Rama, Lakshman and Sita) are placed in swings in the temples. They are also taken to Mani Parvat, where the idols are made to swing from the branches of the trees. Later the deities are brought back to temples. The mela lasts till the end of the month of Shravan.

'''Parikramas''' - Ayodhya is perhaps the most noted place in the northern India where parikramas are undertaken by Hindu Pilgrims. These are circumambulations of important religious places and are of varying duration, shortest being the `Antargrahi Parikrama_f which has to be completed within a day. After taking a dip in the Saryu, the devotee commences the parikarma from the Nageshwarnath temple and passes through Rama Ghat, Sita Kund, Manipuravata and Brahma Kund, finally terminating at Kanak Bhawan. Then there is the `Panchkoshi Parikrama_f circuit of 10 miles, which touches Chakratirtha, Nayaghat, Ramghat, Saryubagh, Holkar-ka-pura, Dashrathkund, Jogiana, Ranopali, Jalpa Nala and Mahtabagh. On the way the people pay homage to deities in the shrines which are situated on the route.

The `Chaturdashkoshi Parikrama_f constitutes a circular journey of 28 miles made once a year on the occasion of Akshainaumi, which is completed within 24 hours.

Buy

You can buy 'Ramnama' towel, chundri, kurta and handicraft bags, tulsi mala, ramdana, Ramayana, books, sweet ball(laddoo).

Eat

Options are limited to local eateries/restaurants which offer largely vegetarian food.

Drink

Sleep

There are lots of hotels, temple(trust), dharamsala in Ayodhya.

Sri Ram Hotel, near Dant Dhawan Kund. Phones: 05278-232512, 232474. Ram Dham Guest House, near Railway Station Road. Phone: 05278-232791 Ram Anugsah Vishram Sadan, Chhoti Chhawani Marg. Phones: 05278-223142, 223146. Kanak Bhawan Dharamshala. Phone: 05278-232024. Birla Dharamshala, Bus Station. Phone: 05278-232252. Gujrat Bhawan Dharamshala, near Bus Station. Phone: 05278-232075. Jain Dharamshala. Rai Ganj. Phone: 05278-232308. Janaki Mahal Trust Dharamshala, Naya Ghat. Phones: 05278-232022, 232151. Pandit Banshidhar Dharamshala, Naya Ghat. Ram Charit Manas Trust Dharamshala.

Hanubagh Trust has AC and non-AC rooms available with breakfast, lunch, dinner at very low cost. For more information call (+91) 93072 34050.

Quality accommodation is available at Faizabad town, just 7 km away

Hotel Krishna Palaca. Phone: 05278-221367-70. Hotel Shane Awadh, Civil Lines, Faizabad. Phones: 05278-223586, 222075. Tirupati Hotel, Civil Lines, Faizabad. Phones: 05278-223231/222448. Hotel Alka Raje, Rekabganj, Faizabad. Phone: 05278-222027. Abha Hotel, Moti Bagh, Faizabad. Phones: 05278-222930, 222550. Avantika Hotel, Civil Lines. Phone: 05278-220472.

UP Tourism Accommodation

Pathik Niwas Saket, near Railway Station, Ayodhya. Phone: 05278-232435. (Run by U.P. State Tourism Development Corporation) UPSTDC Yatri Niwas, Naya Ghat, Ayodhya, e-mail.: rahisaket@up-toursim.com

Contact

Regional Tourist Office, House No. 1-3/152/4, near Pusparaj Guest House, Civil Lines, Faizabad, UP. Phone: (05278) 223214. Government of UP Assistant Tourist Office, Pathik Niwas Saket, Near Railway Station, Ayodhya. Phone: (05278) 232435.

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