AYODHYA Trip (25-27 May 2024)
Me and Meenu decided to join trip to Ayodhya organized by Rishab’s sasural members (1st trip with them after Rishab got married to Dimple on 24th April 2024). We were 15 members : Me, Meenu, Rishab, Dimple; Dimple’s father Pramod ji, mother Ranjana ji, sister Khushboo; Dimple’s sister Barkha and jeeju Arpit, Arpit’s father Anil ji and mother Dimple ji; Arpit’s sister Akshita and jeeju Uday, Uday’s father Pawan ji and mother Menaka ji. All arrangements were painstakingly made by Barkha and Arpit.
Day 1 : 25.5.2024 (Saturday) : Delhi to Ayodhya and darshan of Ram Janambhoomi Mandir
Today was voting day in Delhi for the 2024 General Elections (Lok Sabha). Me, Meenu and Rishab cast our vote early at 7.30 am in nearby school. It was hot and humid even at that hour ! At 8.30 a.m, we four (including Dimple) started from home in cab and reached airport at 9.10 am. Met Pawan ji and his family in the Boarding pass queue. After getting issued Boarding pass and clearing security, we met Pramod ji and others at a restaurant near the departure gate. Some took home cooked food here.
We all boarded Akasa Air’s 10.50 am flight from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Airport Terminal-2. It was about 45 min duration flight.
At 12 o’clock, we landed at Ayodhya airport. It is called Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram International Airport. It has been newly built and has been operational ever since Ram Janambhoomi temple was inaugurated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after a pran pratishtha (consecration) ceremony on 24th January 2024 this year, constructed after Bhumi pujan on 5th August 2020. The airport is still under development phase. Inside hall, there were beautiful large wall paintings and murals.
At 12.30 pm, we came out of the airport. Three Innova crysta cabs were waiting for us.
At 12.45 pm, we started from the airport in scorching heat. The temperature must be about 450C !
At 1.10 pm, we reached our Hotel – The Ramayana. It was a small hotel compared to Delhi’s standard (but good from this small City’s standards) but charges were quite high. A big 3-parts set of Ramayana Books Box placed at the entry of the Hotel near reception caught my attention.
While the check-in process was going on and rooms were getting allotted and cleaned, we took lunch in the hotel’s restaurant called Naivedyam.
At 2.45 pm, we got into our rooms. I was given room 3109 on the 3rd floor. We took rest in the room.
At 4 pm, we all came down to lobby. Some ventured to click pics and selfies in scorching heat in the hotel’s lawn. We waited for one of the three cabs to come, which got late.
At 4.30 pm, we all started in three Innova Crysta from the hotel to go to Ram Janambhoomi temple. We had VIP access, thanks to my IAS friend Sunil V (he had already sent our names to Commissioner Ayodhya, with one Aadhar no. per 8 persons, as one VIP pass can accommodate max. 8 names). Our vehicles numbers were already flashed and therefore we did not face any problem at the three check points manned by UP police on the VIP darshan marg which takes one through the back side of the temple complex. (However, the so called VIP darshan marg is not that VIP as we have to pass through narrow lanes between local houses and get stuck at many places due to scooters, cycles, pedestrians, residents etc.)
We got down at a check point very near to the temple complex and walked for about 100 mtr to reach a point called “Crossing 2 (Rangmahal Barrier) / North Gate”. Our darshan slot was 5-7 pm (but due to super VIP access, the slot time was not an issue for us). The temple complex is situated in thickly populated area.
The temple complex has been built by acquiring land in the vicinity of the site which is believed to be the actual birthplace of Lord Ram on which Babri masjid mosque was erected in 16th Century which was demolished by some people in 1992. The temple complex was built recently after the Supreme Court brought the curtains down on the Mandir-Masjid dispute by its verdict in 2019 and declared that a temple existed at this site in earlier point of time than the mosque. This verdict gave the disputed land to Hindus for construction of a temple, while Muslims were given land nearby in Dhannipur in Ayodhya to construct a mosque. There is a lot of resentment in the local public due to their houses being demolished to construct this temple complex.
A UP Police constable named Avtar Singh, who was deputed to facilitate our darshan (one Pawan kumar from Commissioner office coordinated), met me at the said barrier. The police personnel at the said barrier allowed us to enter on seeing Avtar in uniform with us. Just after entry, there were self-operated lockers, on the side of our path. We put our mobiles in it and then locked these with the provided key (hanging with each locker) and kept key with us. We barely walked 50 ft and lo and behold ! the magnificent Ram mandir (also called Ramlala mandir) was in front of us. We deposited our slippers at a slipper stand erected there and took token. Then we walked with Avtar towards the main area of the temple where the main idol (childhood vigraha of Ramlala) is kept. We, as it appeared to me, were taking the same route which is meant for the physically challenged people who are wheelchair borne. We reached in front of the idol (closest distance allowed to the idol) and had good darshan. The idol of Rama placed here (in the sanctum sanctorum of Ram temple) is that of a 5 year old Rama as a child. The 51-inch idol (4ft 1/4 inches), carved from black stone, is dressed in a yellow dhoti with a golden crown, necklaces, holding a golden bow and arrow. The idol is heavily jewelled to show Rama's royal lineage. The idol was sculpted by the famous sculptor from Mysore, Arun Yogiraj. It is made from a three-billion-year-old metamorphic rock, known as "Krishna Shile" or black schist, which was excavated from Gujjegowdanapura in H.D. Kote Taluk, Mysore.
We entered from one door and came out of the other door on the side parapet / podium of the temple complex. From the podium, we could see construction activities like cutting, excavating, crushing, chisling of stones (to carve out idols) going on in the temple complex. There was lot of dust in the environment. The temple complex, presently, is only partially constructed. Taking photos was strictly prohibited.
After the darshan, we collected our slippers and our mobiles and came out of Barrier no.2. I and Anil ji collected our VIP pass from the nearby office of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust https://srjbtkshetra.org/ , also called Ram Kacherhi (Ghanshyam at the counter, who was already informed by Mr. Pawan from Commissioner office, took out the print out of VIP pass and gave to me). The names of we all 15 were printed on these 2 VIP passes. This VIP pass was no longer needed (as we already done darshan through UP police constable) but I kept this pass as souvenir. This Trust is supervising the construction of the Ram Janmbhoomi temple complex.
Then we walked to the nearby Hanuman Garhi temple. It was about 15 min walk. We entered through the exit gate (at the back side) of the Hanuman Garhi temple, which exit is on an incline. Pramod ji spoke to some pandit (9828529807) of the said temple who told us to come this way. There was huge rush of devotees in front, but some of us managed to have a glimpse of the Lord Hanuman ji. After coming out of the temple, we purchased besan laddu prashad from a shop there.
Hanuman Garhi temple in Ayodhya is believed to date back to 10th Century AD. Legend is that when Lord Ram returned to Ayodhya after killing Ravana and conquering Lanka, then his supreme bhakt Hanuman ji started living here and this place thus started being referred to as Hanuman Garhi or Hanuman Kot. Hanuman ji used to protect Ram Kot from here. In this temple, a 6-inch deity of Hanuman, depicted in his youthful (Bal) form, is positioned on the lap of his mother Anjani. It is believed that Lord Hanuman (Pavan Putra) lives here and guard Ayodhya.
We then walked (for about 10-15 min) to the point where our vehicles were parked alongwith other vehicles and boarded the same at about 7.15 pm. We passed through Ram path and Lata Mangeshkar chowk. The whole Ayodhya nagri on both sides of the road was well lit !
Some of us ventured to see 3-D Laser show and so reached Suraj kund at about 7.45 pm but the 8 pm show (last show) was cancelled due to some technical glitch, so we had to return.
At about 8.30 pm, we reached back our hotel and relaxed.
Several of us went to restaurant in a nearby hotel called Narayana and took dinner.
At about 10.40 pm, we returned to our hotel and went to room 2101 of Akshita where all remaining had assembled. Anil ji and Pawan ji were enjoying drinks. I also joined them for a while. All sang songs and danced and made merry.
At 12 pm, we retired to our rooms.
Day 2 : 26.5.2024 (Sunday) : Ayodhya (relaxed in hotel and laser show in evening)
We got up late after a hectic day yesterday (some ventured to go for bath in Saryu river at the Saryu ghat by e-Rickshaw in the morning at 6.30 am !).
At 9.30, me and Meenu went down to have breakfast in the hotel’s restaurant. Some were already sitting and some joined later.
After breakfast, I and Meenu walked and sat in the lobby of the hotel as it was very hot outside. We all decided to rest in the hotel during the day as hot air wind was blowing outside.
At about 12 o’clock, we assembled in the room of Rishab Dimple and played cards 3-patti and then ludo. We ordered lunch in the room through room service and had the lunch while playing ludo. Thereafter, we all watched video clips of wedding and other functions of Barkha, Akshita, Dimple by cast/mirroring through mobile on the room tv.
At 6.45 pm, some of us (I, Meenu, Dimple, Dimple’s mother, Khushboo, Dimple ji) started in a Innova crysta cab (charged 2500/-, too high !) and reached Suraj kund at about 7.10 pm, bought tickets for the laser show (Rs.30/- per head) and entered the complex. It was beautifully laid out. We walked to the constructed ghat inside where Saryu mata aarti was going on. We participated in the same. Thereafter, the 3-D Laser show started. It showed the history of Suraj kund in Ayodhya and the legend associated with it. It was about 25 min show. It was so beautiful and mesmerizing. The show was shown using the fountain water as the backdrop screen ! We then roamed in this complex. Did darshan of Surya bhagwan temple. Clicked pics.
The rulers of Ayodhya were descendants of Surya bhagwan, that is why they are called suryavanshi. Lord Ram was also a suryavanshi. They worshipped surya (sun). It is believed that this kund and mandir was got constructed by suryavanshi rulers. It is believed that by taking bath in this Surya kund and doing darshan pujan in adjoining Surya mandir, all wishes come true. This complex was renovated recently just before pran pratishtha of Ram Mandir in January 2024.
At 8.20 pm, we started from there and returned to hotel at about 8.45 pm. After freshening up, we gathered in the room of Akshita. Joined in drinks with Anil ji and Pawan ji. We called food in the room itself through room service. Kids also ordered pizza and Giani ice cream from outside. All danced and performed.
At about 11.30 pm, we retired to our rooms.
Day 3 : 27.5.2024 (Monday) : last day in Ayodhya
We got up early.
At 6.30 am, me, Meenu, Rishab, Dimple and Ranjana ji took an e-rickshaw from the nearby chowki and started for sightseeing.
We got down at the nearest rickshaw point to Hanumangarhi temple at about 7.05 pm. However, there were long queues, heavy rush, crowd and dhakka mukki in the que for darshan at the front entry of the said temple. So, we decided to see other places instead. We walked to nearby Kanak Bhawan, which was 10 min walk from there. Kanak Bhawan is to the north-east of Ram Janam Bhoomi, Ramkot, in Ayodhya. It is believed that this Bhawan was gifted to Devi Sita by Kaikei immediately after her marriage to Lord Ram. This is private palace of Devi Sita and Lord Rama. King Vikramaditya got it renovated. Later it was rebuilt/renovated by Vrish Bhanu Kunwari which exists even today. The main idols installed in the garbhgrih (sanctum), are of Lord Ram and Devi Sita.
After visiting Kanak Bhawan, we walked to Dashrath Mahal, which was just 3-4 min walk from there. The idols of all 4 brothers (Ram, Lakshman, Bharat, Shatrughan) with their respective wives are placed here. Dashrath Bhavan is the original residence of King Dashrath - the ruler of Ayodhya and father of Lord Shri Ram. It is said that Ram and his brothers used to play in this bhawan during their adolescent days. The Bhawan / Mahal is now in shambles and can hardly be said to be a palace.
At 8.15 am, we came out of Dashrath mahal. We then walked by the side of the queues of Hanumangarhi temple to reach the chowk, from where we took an e-rickshaw for Rs.20/- each to go to Nageshwar temple, near Lata Mangeshkar chowk. It was 5 min journey. The e-rick dropped us near Ram ki Paidi. From here, we walked to Nageshwar temple, which was 2-3 min walk.
We did darshan of Nageshwar Nath temple and offered milk, water and flowers on the lingam. This temple is at Ram Ki Paidi in Ayodhya. This temple of Nageshwarnath is said to have been established by Kush, the younger son of Rama in Treta yug. Legend is that Kush lost his armlet, while bathing in the river Saryu, which was picked up by a Nag-Kanya named Kumudini. Angered by this, Kush killed nag-kanya. Her father, who was a devotee of Shiva, worshipped and prayed for protection. Lord Shiva became happy and asked Kush to forgive nagkanya’s father. On seeing Lord Shiva, Kush became normal and forgave nagkanya’s father and worshipped Shiva and said that since you came here after becoming happy on this naag, so this place may become famous by the name of Nageshwar dham. This temple has Lord shiva sitting in middle being surrounded by naags (snakes). Even till the times of King Vikramaditya, the temple was in good shape. The present temple was built in 1750 by the minister of Safdar Jung, named Naval Rai. The festival of Shivratri is celebrated here in a big way, and Shiv Barat procession is taken out during these celebrations. During the festival time of Mahashivratri, the temple receive thousands of devotees.We then walked in the side lane of the temple to enter Shri Kale Ram temple. It’s a small temple (just one room), with not many aware about this temple and hence not much crowd here. The idols of Hanuman ji and Ram ji are overlooking each other. We sat and recited Hanuman chalisa here. It is believed to be the only temple that depicts the idol of Lord Rama along with his brothers Bharata, Lakshmana and Shatrughna. This temple also has idols of Lord Hanuman and Goddess Sita. It is believed that the original Ram murti which was found in Ayodhya at the disputed site is placed here.
We then came out of the Kale Ram temple, and walked to the Ram ki paidi (1 min walk). Here, I dipped my feet in the water of Saryu river. Some people were taking dip / bath in it. It is administration-made ghat. Ram ki Paidi is a series of ghats on the bank of River Saryu. The river front brings forth an outstanding Landscape especially in floodlit night.
Then, we walked nearby to Lata Mangeshkar chowk which has iconic structure of a Veena/ sitar erected on the chowk. We clicked pictures here.
At 9.25 am, we took an e-rickshaw for the hotel. We got stuck in traffic congestion on a road stretch at a point which was dug for laying sewers. Throughout Ayodhya, lot of development works are going on, leading to traffic snarls and congestion.
At 9.55 am, we reached Hotel and took breakfast. We then changed clothes and came down with our luggages.
At about 11.10 am, we started from hotel in 3 Innova and reached airport at about 11.35 am.
We boarded 12.50 pm Akasa Air flight.
At 2 pm, our flight landed at Indira Gandhi airport Terminal-1.
At 3.25 pm, we returned home, taking an ola cab (Ertiga).
A memorable trip came to an end.
* It costed us Rs.90k for the whole trip for 4 persons (incl air ticket 9k per person, Hotel, food, taxi)
