Ayodhya beyond Ram Mandir: Hidden Gems and Nearby Attractions

No one can deny that the Ram Mandir is the main attraction of Ayodhya, but how can we forget Lord Rama's better half, Goddess Sita. In Ayodhya, you will also be blessed to see the Sita Ki Rasoi Sita's Kitchen. It is believed that this is the place where Goddess Sita cooked her meals during her stay in Ayodhya. 

The kitchen, to date, has all the ancient utensils and showcases the archaic methods of cooking that were used in the Treta Yug. The visit to Sita Ki Rasoi is quite memorable. There are very few places in India where you can explore ancient culinary traditions. 

Whoever has read or seen Ramayana knows the significance of the deity Hanuman in the epic tale. As said by saint Tulsidas, "Greater than Ram is Ram's servant", and Hindus all across the world are ardent Hanuman devotees. After trekking the hill, on top, you will find a fortress-like temple of Lord Hanuman. The place is perfect for tourists to meditate and follow the path of spirituality. Not only this, but Hanuman Garhi also provides a great view of Ayodhya from the top, and one can see exquisite sunrises and sunsets.

The history buff in you will love Guptar Ghat, an ancient place with a soothing and calming vibe. The place is considered to be the spot where Lord Ram took Jal Samadhi, immersing in the Sarayu River before leaving the mortal world. The view from Guptar Ghat is quite pleasing and terrific as one witnesses pure nature and unnecessary noise. We all are well aware of the intriguing History of Ram Mandir, Ayodhya but witnessing other historical places is just the icing on the cake.

If you think that Ayodhya only has temples of Lord Ram, then the Nageshwarnath Temple is here to amaze you. It is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva as Nageshwarnath is one of his many names, and it is believed that this temple was created by the son of Lord Ram, Kush. The temple is centuries old and is an architectural beauty. The various shrines and sculptures are a great testament to Ayodhya's rich culture and history. Visiting different temples always helps us know more about our culture and explore various aspects of our traditions.

The beautiful relationship between Lord Rama and Goddess Sita inspires new generations, and visiting the Kanak Bhawan is a brilliant way to know more about their love tale. It is believed that Lord Rama gifted the Bhawan to Goddess Sita, and the temple is filled with the tales of the couple. If you are an avid fan of Ramayana, the Kanak Bhawan is heaven for you as you will get to know the intricacies of the tale and sharpen your knowledge.

Bharat Kund is a large stepwell and is an iconic location in Ayodhya. Bharat Kund is named after the brother of Lord Ram, Bharat. This is the place where Bharat used to pray and bath. Bharat Kund is also the location where King Dashrataha's first Pinddaan ritual to offer homage to the departed ritual was done. The intricate carvings and other architectural details in Bharat Kund is a treat to the eyes. 

Ayodhya's excellence is way more than the Ram Mandir, as the city houses numerous iconic destinations that can hold tourist's attention for a long time. Visiting Ayodhya not only increases your knowledge about the Hindu religion or culture but also helps you improve as a person.