Ashrams we visited

It was our fortune to meet Jagatguru Ramdineshacharya ji Maharaj and Mahant Girish Das ji in our flight to Ayodhya who, and without any request from us, were good enough to immediately get us VIP passes for Ram Mandir. The in-flight interaction was insightful so much so that we subsequently went to their Ashrams.

Jagatguru Ramdineshacharya ji Maharaj of Hari Dham Peeth shared some of his photos with Yogi ji. His Ashram has about 20 students living there who are being trained in our texts, our mantra and Puja Vidhi. There is also a Gaushala with about 10 cows. He conducts Shri Ram Katha, Shrimad Bhagwat Katha, Krishna Katha, and bhajans in various places and has his own YouTube channel: Jagatguru Ramdineshacharya Ji Maharaj Official Channel  

I asked him about the ten Avatars of Vishnu, more specifically the ninth avatar since many consider it to be Gautam Buddha while others believe it is Balram. However, he reminded us that as per Bhagwat Puran, there are 24 avtars of Vishnu. Amongst the Dasavtars, the Buddha referred to is not Gautam Buddha whose teachings differ considerably from Hinduism. A little research showed that in Hindu scriptures like the Srimad Bhagvat, Vishnu ji’s avatar of Buddha is described as the son of Anjana, born in the region of Gaya (Kikaṭ) and that this incarnation appeared at the beginning of the Kaliyug (3102 BCE) to preach non-violence and reform materialistic practices.

Jagatguru ji Maharaj was pleased to honour us.

  

We then went to the ashram of Mahant Mahamandaleshwar Shri Girish Das ji Maharaj, Head Priest of Dandiya Mandir (डाड़िया मंदिर के पीठाधिपति महामंडलेश्वर महंत गिरीश दास महाराज ) He too has students there – all boys of course. The centre of the hall has a beautiful temple. Mahant ji plans to further renovate the temple in the next few months. 

The little saint

There are about 10 boys living in the ashram. Mahant ji narrated the story of this little saint. On the death of his father, his mother sought support for her son and her daughters. Since the ashram does not keep girls there, the boy was taken into the ashram where all his expenses are taken care of, also his education in school and teachings in our rituals are taught.

Shri Girish Das ji Maharaj  was also pleased to honour us

Previous : Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, Ayodhya

Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, Ayodhya

Over the last few years, tourism in Ayodhya has been further heavily influenced. After finally winning the long-drawn legal dispute, a new Ram Mandir was constructed. Dedicated to Lord Ram in his child form, the temple opened its door for worship after the Pran Pratistha ceremony on 22nd January 2024 (Pran Pratistha प्राण प्रतिष्ठा is the  sacred Hindu ritual that breathes divine life into a newly carved idol). Although the present structure began its construction in 2020, the temple has its roots centuries back and is built at the site of the earlier temple razed down by the Mughals invaders centuries ago.

The temple houses the idol of Ram Lalla, the child form of the lord. Adorned with elaborate jewelry and offerings of common toys made of silver, the idol of Ram Lalla inside the temple represents the five-year old form of Lord Ram.

In the temple's garbha griha, the newer idol also has the smaller and older idol of Ram Lala that was worshiped in a nearby tent for decades. The original, older Ram Lalla idol is a small 5 to 6 inch divine sculpture  that “appeared” inside the “Babri Masjid” on the night of 22/12/1945 and served as the chief litigant for the Hindu side in the title suit. It was kept in a makeshift tent/structure under a tarp (tirpal) for decades before being moved to a temporary structure in March 2020 

Photography is not permitted, taken their website

Carved out of black stone, the newer idol of Ram Lalla sits adorning elaborate gold jewelry, with each of them chosen after extensive research about the appearance and grandeur of Lord Ram Details can be read here: https://upayodhya.com/articles/ram-lalla-idol-jewelry-guide

Outside the garba griha are the statutes of Jay and Vijay, the gate keepers of Vaikunth who due to a curse were born on earth as Hiranyakashipu and Hiranyaksha in the Satya Yug, Ravan and Kumbhakarn in the Treta Yug, and finally Shishupal and Dantavakra in the Dvapar Yug. With the main temple dedicated to Lord Rama, the extended four corners have temples of Lord Surya, Goddess Bhagwati, Lord Ganesh, and Lord Shiv.

On a floor above we have temple with idols of Ram darbar - could not be on the main temple since this is dedicated to the young Ramchandraji - when he was obviously not married. This was consecrated on 5/6/25. 

The Ram Darbar features idols of Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, Lakshman, Bharat, Shatrughan, and Hanuman Ji.

View of Ram Mandir

Our visit to Ram Mandir

(Work on the temple is still going on and is expected to be completed by 2030)

Next: Ashrams we visited 

Previous : Background to Ram Mandir, Ayodhya

Background to Ram Mandir, Ayodhya

Bhagwan Vishnu, the Preserver in Hindu religion has taken several avatars or incarnations. Amongst the ten Dasavtars, Ramchandra ji is the seventh avatar, born towards the end of the Treta Yug, the second of the four ages in Hindu cosmology. 

 

Born into the Kosala (कौशल) Kingdom of Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, Lord Ram was the son of King Dashrath and his wife Queen Kaushalya. Eldest of the four sons of the King, Ramchandra ji had three stepbrothers – Bharat, Lakshman, and Shatrughna. Lord Ram was the crown prince, however, Queen Kaikeyi, the mother of Bharat conspired to send Lord Ram to exile for 14 years and her son be crowned instead. Bound by a promise given to the Queen Kaikeyi years ago, the King finds himself unable to refuse her wish. In respect towards his father, and without any discussion or quarrel Lord Ram simply chooses to obey the commitment of the King.

The city of Ayodhya, where Lord Ram was born, had an ancient temple which held immense religious significance among Hindu devotees. Perhaps one of the first things the Mughal king Babar did on reaching India in the early sixteen century was to get the temple demolished and a mosque constructed over it leading to long-standing communal tensions that lasted over a century with clashes and destruction, and protracted litigation. Finally in 2019, the Supreme Court awarded the land to us Hindus with a separate land to Muslims.

But when was his date of birth? We say it was the end of Treta Yug. The four yugs (Satya, Treta, Dwapar and Kaliyugs) make one Mahayug, which is 43,20,000 years long. The conclusion of Treta Yuga marks  departure / disappearance of Lord Ram

Puranic and traditional texts place Lord Rama's birth in the Treta Yuga, millions of years ago.  According to the Valmiki Ramayan, and as per our lunar calender, Lord Ram was born on the ninth day (Navami) of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the lunar month of Chaitra, an event celebrated annually as Rama Navami.

 

Historical and astronomical interpretations vary among scholars and astrologers, using planetary descriptions in our texts etc. and on the basis of calculation. According to present Gregorian calendar, some sources on the internet, give the date as 22nd February 7119 BCE so over 9000 years ago. Some other dates are January 10, 5114 BCE (at 12:30 PM): and February 3, 5674 BCE.

Previous : Hanumangarhi in Ayodhya

Hanumangarhi In Ayodhya

Hanuman Garhi is considered to be one of the most sacred sites in Ayodhya, said to be the place from where Hanuman, while residing in a cave, guarded the city of Ayodhya. Hanuman is a Chiranjivi (immortal) and is widely known as the eternal guardian and protector of Ayodhya, to whom Ramchandra ji handed over the care of Ayodhya while leaving Earth for his abode Vaikunth - please also read the post on Guptar Ghat (to be posted later). Darshan at Hanumangarhi is done before going to the Ram mandir.

According to the Skand Puran, King Vikramaditya built Hanuman Garhi along with 360 other temples. But Aurangzeb destroyed Hanuman Garhi temple, and built a Mosque. Ramanandi Bairagi ascetics subsequently reclaimed it, removed the Mosque and rebuilt the shrine, with subsequent patronage, land revenue support, and development tied to Awadh rulers.

Hanuman Garhi Temple is shaped like a four-sided fort with circular ramparts at each corner, housing shrines dedicated to Hanuman. There are 76 steep steps to reach the main temple, where the garba griha adorned with silver carvings, awaits (however we entered from the back side where the steps are around half). The central hall has three intricately designed doors leading to the inner chamber Within, a 6-inch deity of Hanuman, depicted in his youthful (Bal) form, is positioned on the lap of his mother Anjani.  

The Garba Griha behind the crowd 

Enlarged view of the Garba Griha

A silver tulsi garland, inscribed with the name of Ram is adorned by Hanuman. The verses of the Hanuman Chalisa are inscribed on the temple walls. The temple features a Victory Pillar, known as Vijay Stambh (of gold?) which Hanuman ji is said to have brought back with him from Lanka.

The Vijay Stambh

Our visit to Hanumangarhi

Next : Background to Ram Mandir, Ayodhya

Previous : Badrinath or Badrikashram

Badrinath or Badrikashram

While Badrikashram is mentioned in the Bhagwat Puran, the history of the Badrinath Temple, dedicated to Vishnu, is vague and varied. Adi Shankar is said to have established the temple, perhaps converting a Buddhist shrine. He is said to have discovered the black Shaligram idol in Alaknanda river and established it near the Tapt Kund. 

The township of Badrinath

In the 16th century, the King of Garhwal moved the idol to the present temple which has gone through several renovations. The temple is one of the four Char Dhams in India as also one of the four Chota Char Dham yatras of Uttrakhand, the others being Kedarnath (which incidentally is visited before Badrinath), Gangotri and Yamunotri. 

The black stone idol of Vishnu is is considered to be one of the 8 swayam vyakta kshetras or self-manifested statues of Vishnu. Here he is worshipped sitting in a meditative pose surrounded by idols of Nar, Narayan, Narad, Uddhav, Garud and Kuber. Just below the temple, there is a natural thermal spring and a dip therein is taken before visiting the shrine. The main gate of the shrine is painted with myriad colours. The present structure is the result of several restorations the temple has undergone due to damages caused by avalanches and earthquakes.

The Badrinath area also referred to as Badrikashram (बदरिकाश्रम) is sacred to Vishnu, particularly in his dual form of Nar-Narayan, the twin sons of Dharm who setup their hermitage here, in the spot blessed with cold and hot springs behind river Alaknanda.
As per one legend, Vishnu performed penance at this place and during his deep meditation, he was unaware of the harsh weather. Lakshmi turned into a Badri tree and protected him. Pleased by her efforts, he named the place Badrikashram.

Alaknanda which flows past the sacred Badrinath Temple, is one of the two headstreams of the Ganga providing the larger discharge, the other being Bhagirathi.

It is also said that the Pandavs climbed via 'Swargarohini, (the ascent to heaven, and Mana town, north of Badrinath while on their route to heaven.

Neelkanth Peak, named after Shiv, sets a great background to the Badrinath shrine, and is beautiful when its snow-covered peak receives the first rays of the Sun at the crack of dawn. Himalaya is also called Ashtapad because of its eight different mountain range Gaurishankar, Kailash, Badrinath, Nanda, Drongiri, Narayan, Nar and Trishuli.

This place is considered holy in Jainism as well. In Jainism, Rishabhanatha / Rishabhdev attained Nirvana on Mount Kailash situated in the Himalayan range and according to Jain faith (Nirvankand), Rishabhanatha is the legendary first Tirthankara (supreme preacher) of Jainism. From Badrinath, numerous Jain Munis attained Moksh by doing Tapsya. According to Shrimadbhagwat, at this place Rishabhdev's father Nabhirai and mother Marudevi had done hard Tap after Rishabhdev's Rajyabhishek and taken Samadhi. Even today, the footprint of Nabhirai at Neelkanth mountain attracts people.

Next : Hanumangarhi in Ayodhya

Previous: Kedarnath Temple

Kedarnath Temple

Kedarnath temple dedicated to Shivji, is said to be more than 1200 years old. Atop 3584 mts, in the Garhwal Himalayas this is one of the Chota Char Dhams of Uttrakhand, the others being Gangotri, Yamunotri and Badrinath and it is visited before going to Badrinath. According to a mythological account, Shivji agreed to dwell here at the request of Nar-Narayan.

Arriving by helicopter and looking out

For those who cannot climb, one can be carried up

According to legend, after the Kurukshetra war, the Pandavs, came here to meet Shivji seeking forgiveness for killing their kin. However, Shivji did not want to forgive them; he turned into a bull and hid among the cattle on the hill taking refuge at Kedarnath. When found by the Pandavs, he went further into the earth leaving the hump on the surface. One of the brothers grabbed his tail, forcing him to appear before them and forgive them. It is one of the 12 jyotirlings in India, however as a huge irregular shape. Unlike other jyotirlings, a conical rock formation inside the temple is worshipped as Shivji. Portions of Shiv's body later appeared at four other locations nearby, collectively known as the five Kedars ("Panch Kedar"). "Kedarnath" means "the lord of the field" – kedar is "field". The marriage of Shiva and Parvati was held nearby.

The Pandava brothers built the first temple at Kedarnath and the present temple, built in 8th century A.D. by Adi Shankaracharya, stands adjacent to the site of the earlier temple. Outside the temple door, a large statue of the Nandi Bull stands as guard.
The temple on the shores of Mandakini river, a tributary of Ganga, remains covered in snow for the most part of the year. 

During winter the temple is closed; the deity is brought down to Ukhimat village and brought back amid much fanfare and rituals when the weather improves. The area was the worst affected area during the 2013 flash floods when the temple complex, surrounding areas, and Kedarnath town suffered extensive damage, but the temple structure remained mainly intact. The renovation work has since been undertaken.

Renovation

Mandakini river flowing there

Mandakini river as seen from the helicopter

One tale is that Adi Shankar died at Kedarnath; although another states that he died at Kanchi. The ruins of a monument marking the purported death place of Shankara are located at Kedarnath.

Shanti Stupa, Dhauli

Dhauli or the Dhauligiri Hills are located about 8 km from Bhubaneswar on the banks of river Daya. It may be recalled that the infamous and gruesome battle of Kalinga was fought here around 261 BCE, reportedly turning the river Daya red with blood. Ashok’s edicts are nearby.

Several centuries earlier, Mahabhikshu Nichiren of Japan had predicted that 2500 years after the death of Gautam Budhha, Budhhism would return to the land of its origin. 

In keeping with this belief, the Shanti Stupa or white peace pagoda was built by Fuji Guruji to promote world peace and prosperity and to commemorate 2500 years of Buddhism. 

It was constructed by the Japan Buddha Sangh as a collaborative project between Kalinga Nippon Sangha and the Odisha Government in 1972.

Apparently there are 7 Peace Pagoda or Shanti Stupas in India including the Global Vipassana Pagoda Mumbai, Deekshabhoomi Stupa Nagpur and Buddha Smriti Park Stupa Patna.