Ayodhya and Banaras

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Ayodhya
Ayodhya was one of the most ancient, largest and most magnificent of Indian cities in the past. Ayodhya situated in the state of Uttar Pradesh, is on the right bank of the river Sarayu or Gogra or Ghaghara, 555 km away east of New Delhi. This ancient and pious city is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu and so called ‘Ram Janambhoomi’. In Atharva Veda the Ayodhya is called "a city built by gods and being as prosperous as paradise itself".

Ayodhya is also the birth place of five Tirthankars of Jain religion. Ayodhya is mainly known as the city of temples but people of different religions from all over India come here to worship as numerous religious convictions have grown and at the same time well flourished at this place.

Tourist Attractions

Rama Janambhoomi
According to the legends, Rama Janmabhoomi is considered as the place where Lord Rama had taken birth. This is a small Lord Rama temple. On this site, the Mughals constructed Babri Mosque in the 15th century.

Ramkot
This is a sacred place that attracts pilgrims from all parts of the country and abroad on the festival of 'Ramnavami', the day of the Lord Rama’s birth and it is celebrated with great solemnity and enthusiasm in the Hindu month of Chaitra (March-April). This is a fort situated in the western part of the city and keeps drawing devotees all around the year.

Guptar Ghat
Gupta is a Hindi word which literary means disappearance. This is said to be the place where Rama left his body. At Guptar Ghat, there are several beautiful temples. Some of the temples are Chakra Harji Vishnu and Gupta Harji, and Raja Mandir.

The Hanuman Garhi
A colossal framework constructed in the shape of a four-sided fort with spherical citadels at each corner and it houses a temple of Hanuman and is one of the most popular temples in Ayodhya. Legend has it that Hanuman lived here in a cave and guarded the Janambhoomi or Ramkot.

Other Places: Treta-Ke-Thakur, Nageshwarnath Temple, Swarg Dwar, Rishabhadeo Jain Temple, Brahma Kund, Amawan Temple, Tulsi Chaura, Laxman Quila, Angad Tila, Shri Rama Janaki Birla Temple, Tulsi Smarak Bhawan, Ram ki Paidi, Kaleramji ka Mandir, Datuvan Kund, Janki Mahal, Gurudwara Brahma Kund Ji, Ram Katha Museum, Valmiki Ramayan Bhawan are among other places of interest in Ayodhya.

How to Reach
Air: For Ayodhya the nearest airports are Amausi, Bumrauli and Babatpur
Rail: Ayodhya is situated on the broad gauge northern railway line on Mughal Sarai- Lucknow main route. Ayodhya/Faizabad are connected to various parts of the country by rail lines.
Road: Lucknow (134 km), Gorakhpur (132 km), Jhansi (441 km), Allahabad (166 km), Sravasti (109 km), Varanasi (209 km) and Gonda (51 km).


Banaras
Banaras or Varanasi is known to be the oldest living city in the world. Most commonly referred as Banaras, the name was officially changed in 1956 as Varanasi, a name that was derived using the archeological study. In about 500 BC, it was acknowledged as Kashi (Kashi means the city of light) when it was the capital of the kingdom of the same name.

Situated on the banks of the river Ganga in Uttar Pradesh, India Varanasi is considered to be the land of Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati. For over 2000 years, Banaras has been known as the center of learning where cavernous wisdom resides and one can achieve enlightenment. For propagating knowledge further, in 1916 Banaras Hindu University was established. Banaras Hindu University is one of the oldest and prevalent educational institutions in India and is one the most prominent seats of learning.

Banaras has over 2000 small and big temples, dedicated to lord Shiva and other deities. The city's riverbanks spread over an area of 5 kms and have been turned into Ghats where most sacred and auspicious rituals are done.

Tourist Attractions

Kashi Vishwanath Temple
This is the main temple of Banaras and is also called "Golden Temple". Kashi Vishwanath Temple was built in the year 1780 by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore and is positioned on the periphery of the Ganga. The Vishweshwara or Vishwanatha, aforementioned Jyotirlinga of the Lord Shiva is enshrined here, so the temple makes Varanasi a place of great religious importance to the Hindus.

Durga Temple
Generally known as the Monkey Temple, was built in the 18th century by a Bengali Maharani, and is stained red with ocher. This small temple, dedicated to Goddess Durga, consort of Shiva, is built in north Indian Nagara style, with a multicolored shikhara or umbrella.

The Bharat Mata Temple
The Bharat Mata temple houses one of the most perfect maps of India carved out of white marble.

Tulsi Manas Temple
Tulsi Manas Temple was built at the place where Goswami Tulsidas composed the epic 'Ramacharitramanas', which endows us with detailed portrayal of the past and deeds of Lord Rama. This temple is dedicated to Lord Rama.

Bathing Ghats: Dashashwamedh Ghat, Assi Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat & Lalita Ghat.

Other Places: Sankat Mochan Mandir, Nepali Temple, New Vishwanath Temple and
Kaal Bhairav Temple.

How to Reach
Air: Indian Airlines flies to Babatpur airport, which is 22 kms from Varanasi and 30 kms from Sarnath
Rail: Varanasi is an important and major rail junction. Trains serve the city from all metros and major cities across the country.
Road: Varanasi, on (National Highway) NH2 from Calcutta to Delhi, NH7 to Kanyakumari and NH 29 to Gorahkpur.