Ram Janmabhoomi

Ram Janmabhoomi is the transcendental birthplace of Ram Lalla or Baby Ram as called affectionately. Located in the holy city of Ayodhya, which is one of the Sapta Moksha Puris, this was originally the palace of Kausalya Devi, the first queen of King Dasaratha.

The Ram Janmabhoomi had been the bone of contention for five centuries until a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court of India in November 2019. The very holy land of Ram Lalla, which was snatched away by the invading Mughal King Babur was restored to Ram Lalla Himself through this landmark judgement. His devotees could now realize their supreme dream of a bhavya Ram Mandir by the end of 2023. But we will never forget the times when Ram Lalla was made to stand under the tent for years.

Afterall, Lord Ram would never ignore the love, toil and cries of His dearmost devotees. If Ayodhya dham could be one of the most important holy cities of Bharat bhumi, what would be the status of Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya where Prabhu Sri Ram appeared Himself?

The birth of Lord Rama

Technically Lord Rama does not take birth. He appears and disappears just like sun sets in the west and rises in the east. Prabhu Ramachandra is the Supreme Lord of everything that exists yet Mother Kaushalya simply saw Him as her own dear child. Prabhu Ramachandra Murthy appeared on the navami of shukla paksha in the month of Chaitra.

Many so called historians and scholars date Ramachandra to have appeared around eight lakh years ago which is one hundred percent wrong and their mere speculation. Lord Ramachandra appeared in the 24th Treta-yuga of Vaivasvata Manavantara. As I write this article, I am in the 28th Kali-yuga of Vaivasvata Manavantara. This means He walked on the surface of the Earth 19 Crores 4 Lakh 40 thousand solar years ago.

When Kaushalya walked out of her room with baby Rama in her lap she shone brilliantly with that baby boy who had eyes just like the freshly blossomed lotus petals. Devatas, Gandharvas, Kinnaras all began rejoicing this moment. Whole sky reverberated with the sound of heavenly kettledrums and the anklets of Apsaras.

As the news spread in Ayodhya, the sea of citizens started settling outside the house of Kaushalya Devi glorifying the birth of Rama and His brothers. Not even a single place was empty on the streets of Ayodhya. Everyone was everywhere. Whole city was beautified with the flags, floral toranas and banana plaintains. Out of immense happiness Maharaja Dasharatha distributed heaps of gold and jewels to the brahmanas.

Ram Janmabhoomi is glorified in the Vedic literature

Foolish are those people who say that Ram Janmabhoomi is merely the faith of people and the place did not exist at all. The Skanda Purana glorifies Ram Janmabhoomi and points out its exact location. This is just one scripture. Similarly hundreds of scriptures pinpoint the exact location of Sri Ram Janmabhoomi. Precisely, Chapter 10 of Ayodhya Mahatmya says the following:

तस्मात्स्थानत ऐशाने रामजन्म प्रवर्त्तते ।
जन्मस्थानमिदं प्रोक्तं मोक्षादिफलसाधनम् ॥ १८ ॥

विघ्नेश्वरात्पूर्वभागे वासिष्ठादुत्तरे तथा ।
लौमशात्पश्चिमे भागे जन्मस्थानं ततः स्मृतम् ॥ १९ ॥

यद्दृष्ट्वा च मनुष्यस्य गर्भवासजयो भवेत् ।
विना दानेन तपसा विना तीर्थैर्विना मखैः ॥ २० ॥

नवमीदिवसे प्राप्ते व्रतधारी हि मानवः ।
स्नानदानप्रभावेण मुच्यते जन्मबन्धनात् ॥ २१ ॥

कपिलागोसहस्राणि यो ददाति दिनेदिने ।
तत्फलं समवाप्नोति जन्मभूमेः प्रदर्शनात् ॥ २२ ॥

आश्रमे वसतां पुंसां तापसानां च यत्फलम् ।
राजसूयसहस्राणि प्रतिवर्षाग्निहोत्रतः ॥ २३ ॥

नियमस्थं नरं दृष्ट्वा जन्मस्थाने विशेषतः ।
मातापित्रोर्गुरूणां च भक्तिमुद्वहतां सताम् ॥ २४ ॥

तत्फलं समवाप्नोति जन्मभूमेः प्रदर्शनात् ॥ २५ ॥

To the north-east of that spot is the transcendental birthplace of Rama. Here, at the Janmabhumi, liberation awaits you as a result of your devotional activities. The birthplace lies to the east of Vigneshwara, to the north of Vasishta and to the west of Lomasha.

Without performing any charity, penances, sacrifices or visiting any holy places, a human being can attain freedom from being placed in a womb i.e. avoid rebirth just by seeing Ram Janmabhumi.

On the day of Rama Navami, a person who fasts attains freedom from the bondage of birth after taking a holy bath and giving charity. By simply visiting the Janmabhumi, one gets the same benefit as donating one thousand yelloish red coloured cows every day.

The result of staying in an ashram and performing penances as well as performing thousand rajasuya yagnas along with agnihotra sacrifices every year can be obtained simply by visiting the Ram Janmabhumi.

Even watching a man performing the authorized holy rituals at the Janmabhumi is very special or highly beneficial. By visiting the Janmabhumi, you get the same result as that of a person who is very devoted to his parents, ancestors and guru.”

The significance of Ram Janmabhumi is beyond words

 The Ram Janmabhumi is treasured in the heart of Sri Ram’s devotees eternally. This can be seen in the way devotees remembered and kept the flames of devotion alive by simply remembering the holy names of Lord Ram.

The holy name Ram can be heard across the length and breadth of Bharat bhumi irrespective of religion, caste, professional status, etc. You will come across a simple shopkeeper greeting you as well as a soldier in the Indian Army greeting his superiors with a simple ‘Ram Ram’ or Jai Sri Ram.

Lord Ram’s glories have made their mark outside the boundaries of Bharat bhumi too. Such is the extent of the glory of Sri Ram!

Devotees simply know that Ram is their life and soul. Even the benefits of visiting the Janmabhumi may not matter to them. After all, the Ram Janmabhumi is where everything started.

Would you not be counting the days to the inauguration of the Ram Mandir? Would you not be eager to take your first step on Sri Ram Janmabhumi?

How to Reach Ram Janmabhoomi?

Ram Janmabhoomi is located in the holy city of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh (India). The best way to relish this holy place is in the association of devotees of Lord Rama. For that travel with Tirtha Yatra on Ayodhya Yatra.

You need to reach Ayodhya, which is well connected to all parts of India. As you plan your journey to Ayodhya dham, meditate deeply on the dham and the Ram Janmabhumi. All your worries will simply dissolve!

You may use the following modes of transportation:

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.