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It is not just the birthplace of Lord Ram but is also a place of high importance for the Jains, with five Jain Tirthankars believed to be born here. Every year, followers reach this town in large numbers to pay obeisance to these great saints and take part in special occasions. There are many Jain temples spread all over the holy town; one can visit the Lord Adinath Temple near Swargdwar, Lord Anantnath Temple at GolaGhat, Lord Sumantnath shrine at Ramkot, Lord Ajitnath Temple near Saptsagar and Lord Abhinandannath Temple in Sarai locality. A huge Jain temple is situated in the Raiganj area; it is home to an exclusive 21 ft tall idol of Lord Adinath (Rishabhdevji), who happened to be the first Tirthankar.
NAGESHWAR NATH
The presiding deity of Ayodhya is Lord Nageshwarnathji. It is believed that Lord Ram’s son, Kush, built the beautiful temple dedicated to him. The shivalinga ensconced here is said to be quite ancient. As per folklore, Kush was taking a bath in the Saryu River when his armlet fell in the water. After sometime, a nag kanya (snake woman) appeared and returned it to him. They fell in love with each other and Kush got the temple structured for her. Being one of the most important and venerated temples in Ayodhya, it attracts large crowds of devotees from all over during the festival of Mahashivaratri. The present edifice of the temple was constructed in 1750 AD.
QUEEN HUH MEMORIAL PARK
The holy city of Ayodhya, in Uttar Pradesh, plays host to hundreds of South Koreans every year that come to pay their tributes to the legendary Queen Huh Hwang-ok. According to legend, Queen Huh Hwang-ok, also known as Princess Suriratna, was the princess of Ayodhya before she went to South Korea and married King Kim Suro of Karak Clan in 48 AD. It is believed that she reached Korea on a boat, and was the first queen of King Suro of Geumgwan Gaya. She was 16- year-old when she got married and is considered to be the first queen of the Gaya Kingdom. It is because of the presence of her monument in Ayodhya that around 60 lakh people of the Karak clan consider the city as their maternal home. The memorial was first inaugurated in 2001 in Ayodhya.
TRETA KE THAKUR
Also famous as Kaleram - ka - Mandir, the beautiful temple is believed to mark the spot where Lord Ram performed the legendary AshwamedhYagna. The Raja of Kullu (Himachal Pradesh) built the present structure about three centuries ago. It was later renovated by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore (Madhya Pradesh). The statues installed here are made of black sandstone; it is believed that they belong to the era of King Vikramaditya.
EVENTS
The return of Lord Rama from 14 years of exile and vanquishing the demon-king Ravana marks the triumph of good over evil. In joyous celebration of Lord Rama’s homecoming, the people of Ayodhya illuminated the kingdom and welcomed him in grandeur. Since then, every year the Festival of Lights, known as Diwali, is celebrated. In Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, the Department of Tourism organizes Deepotsav (Diwali celebrations) a day before Diwali, known as Choti Diwali. On the occasion of Deepotsav, cultural heritage walk is showcased, lakhs of diyas or earthen lamps are lit, a staged Ramleela is performed and the Grand Aarti is organised with other cultural events. Thousands of devotees from across the world pay their obeisance and enjoy the cultural programs.
The return of Lord Rama from 14 years of exile and Celebrated in April, thousands of devotees visit the Ram Navami Mela to celebrate the birth of Lord Ram on the ninth day of the Navratri festival. This festival falls under the Hindu month of Chaitra and is considered one among the five most sacred festivals according to the Hindu religion. One of the special features of this fair is the Ram-leela act (depicting the life and times of Lord Ram) organised widely in the city. Temples all over the city are widely decorated for the mela.
Ramlila is a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Lord Ram, ending up in a ten-day battle between Lord Ram and Ravan, as described in the Hindu religious epic, the Ramayana. A tradition that originates from the Indian subcontinent, the play is staged annually often over ten or more successive nights, during the auspicious period of 'Sharad Navratras'. It marks the commencement of the Autumn festive period, starting with the Dussehra festival. Usually, the performances are timed to culminate on the festival of Vijayadashami day that commemorates the victory of Lord Ram over the demon king Ravana. The actors are taken out in a procession through the city, leading up to a mela ground or town square, where the enactment of the final battle takes place. Giant effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhakaran and son Meghanath are set on fire, and the coronation or Abhisheka of Lord Rama at Ayodhya takes place, marking the culmination of festivities and restoration of the divine order