Nandigram, Ayodhya

Nandigram is located around 22 kms south of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh (India). Bharata, one of the brothers of Lord Ramachandra ruled Ayodhya from Nandigram during Lord Rama’s 14-year exile in the forest. This is reflected in the following shloka mentioned in the scriptures:

अयोध्या दक्षिणेभागे नंदीग्रामो बरानने |नन्दीग्रामे वस्तपूवॆ भरतोरघुवंशजः ॥

Many other glorious lilas make this place very sacred. It hosts many other holy spots within its boundaries. Some of them are Bharat Kunda, Nandishwar Mahadev, Bharat-Hanuman Milan Mandir, etc.

The scriptures say that simply by having the darshan of Nandigram gives you the same result as residing in Kashi for a period of one manvantara.

The origin of Nandigram

Nandigram derives its name from Nandi, the closest associate of Lord Shiva. Nandi had performed penances here to please Lord Shiva. Being pleased with the penances, Lord Shiva made Nandi his special ‘gana’ or closest associate. Nandi requested Lord Shiva that every activity undertaken here become successful. This request was granted.

The place where Nandi performed penances is now the small temple of Nandishwar Mahadev. As a result of these lilas, the village came to be known as Nandigram.

Bharata lives in Nandigram

After hearing the news about the exile of his dearmost and respected brother Ramachandra, Bharata decided to get Him back to rule the kingdom of Ayodhya. But Prabhu Ramachandra denied because He wanted to fulfill the mission of devatas. At the same time He wanted to keep up the words of His father. Bharata was very adamant but Rama did not listen.

Before meeting Ramachandra in Chitrakoot, Bharata had been to Shringaverapura where he saw the bed made out of husk on which Rama and Sita slept for a night. This moved Bharata as he felt himself to be the reason for such suffering of the Lord. Lord Ramachandra always slept on the softest bed covered with finest silk. When he heard that Rama and Lakshmana had matted Their hair with latex, he was completely dejected.

He immediately took an oath to give up the royal robes until Lord Rama wore tree bark. He also matted his hair and just like Lord Rama could not enter any city, Bharata also decided not to enter Ayodhya. Thus he stayed outside the city in Nandigram practicing austerity and worship the padukas of his dearmost Lord Rama. Until the return of Lord Rama, Bharata stayed in Nandigram and ruled the city of Ayodhya from here.

Hanuman meets Bharata at Nandigram

When Hanuman was returning to Lanka with Sanjeevani Mountain, he was mesmerized by the glamor of Ayodhya. His huge body cast a shadow on the entire city. Bharata thought him to be any demon and shot an arrow which made Hanuman unconcious. Regaining his consciousness he narrated all the incidents to Bharata. Learning that Hanuman was on the mission of Ramachandra, Bharata again cursed himself to be an obstacle in the service of the Lord.

After returning from Lanka, Lord Ramachandra sent Hanuman ahead of Himself to check whether Bharata was interested in ruling the kingdom. Hanuman did so. On reaching Nandigram he saw Bharata ready to jumb into the pyre of fire. Hanuman began narrating the Ramayana and stopped Bharata as Rama had already come to Ayodhya. Bharata’s joys knew no bound. He just became mad and begun preparing to welcome the Lord.

Holy Spots to visit in Nandigram

There are many holy spots to be visited in Nandigram. You can spend a day relishing these spots and remembering the super excellent character of Bharata.

Bharata Kunda

Bharata bathed in this kunda every day for fourteen years. A holy bath in this kunda cleanses a person of all sins and awards liberation as per the Skanda Purana. It has been described as a very beautiful kunda full of flowers, birds and trees. Doing shraddha here pleases the pitrus i.e. ancestors. In fact, it is the main attraction of Nandigram.

Bharat Koop

The waters of 27 holy rivers were brought to Nandigram by Bharata from Chitrakoot and stored in a well. Located near the two popular vata vrikshas i.e. trees in Nandigram, devotees can still relish the sweet and sacred waters of 27 holy rivers from this well.

Bharat Gufa

Bharata made an underground gufa i.e. cave and lived like an ascetic ruling Ayodhya for 14 years until the return of Lord Rama. He would give administrative instructions sitting here.

Pisacha Mochan Sarovar

A sacred lake in Nandigram where taking a holy bath redeems a person from the effect of sins. It is said that Lord Rama took a bath here after His victory over Ravana in Lanka.

Gaya Ghat

Devotees perform pitru-tarpana i.e. ancestral offerings at the Gaya Ghat in Nandigram first before they do the pitru-tarpana in actual Gaya.

Ram Bharat Milap Mandir

This temple marks the spot where Lord Rama and Bharata met after Lord Rama returned from Lanka following His victory.

Bharat Hanuman Milap Mandir

This temple marks the very spot where Bharata and Bhakta Hanuman met and hugged each other after Bharata realised that Bhakta Hanuman was a devotee of Lord Rama. This happened after Bharata shot Bhakta Hanuman with an arrow thinking that a huge demon was coming to attack Ayodhya.

Tamasa river

Lord Rama spent the first night of His exile by the banks of the sacred Tamasa river. Around 82 villages lie on its banks. This almost dry river was revived grandly and recently with the efforts of the district administration.

Jata Kunda

Lord Rama and Lakshmana removed their long-grown hair here after returning from Lanka.

There are two Vata Vrikshas in Nandigram which signify the meeting of Lord Rama with Bharata and that of Bharata with Bhakta Hanuman. You can see them while visiting Bharat Koop. 

How to Reach Nandigram

You will be covering Nandigram in a way you have never experienced before if you are traveling on the Ayodhya Kashi Yatra conducted by Tirtha Yatra.

Generally, Ayodhya is the nearest major point from where you can reach Nandigram easily. Reaching Ayodhya via the following ways is your best bet.

By Road: Ayodhya is well connected to cities in Uttar Pradesh and nearby states by road. Uttar Pradesh state buses are available from major cities in the state 24 hours.

You can even hire private taxis from these cities or from a nearby town where you may be present. Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Prayagraj and Varanasi are the nearest cities within a distance of 200 kms.

By Rail: Ayodhya city is served by two railway stations. They are Ayodhya Junction and Ayodhya Cantt. Trains connecting major cities and towns of India stop over here.

By Air: The nearest airports are in Gorakhpur 139 kms away and Lucknow 151 kms away. You can fly in here and use the rail or road route to reach Ayodhya.

A government airstrip in Ayodhya is being upgraded to create a new airport though this may take time.

Fourteen glorious years of Nandigram

bhakti bharita bharata – Bharata is an emblem of devotion to Lord Rama and so is Nandigram. Nandigram has been witness to many wonderful lilas especially that of Lord Rama and Bharata. The entire kingdom was ruled from Nandigram by Bharata placing the padukas i.e. footwear of Lord Rama as His representative.

Hence, Lord Rama was present in Nandigram even during the 14 years of His exile in the form of His padukas.

The wonderful lilas that defined Nandigram as a very holy land is the blessing of Lord Rama indeed. Your trip to Nandigram should carry the same devotion as that of Ayodhya. You are in for great surprises!

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