Ayodhya - Background

Background

Ayodhya is located on the right bank of the river Saryu, as it is called within sacred precincts. Just 6 km from Faizabad, Ayodhya is a popular pilgrim centre. This town is closely associated with Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The ancient city of Ayodhya, according to the Ramayana, was founded by Manu, the law-giver of the Hindus. For centuries, it was the capital of the descendants of the Surya dynasty of which Lord Rama was the most celebrated king. Ayodhya during ancient times was the capital of the Rama Empire and known as Kaushaldesa.

Skanda and some other Puranas mention Ayodhya as one of the seven most sacred cities of India. It was the venue of many events in Hindu mythology. Today pre-eminently a temple town, Ayodhya is famous for its close association with the epic Ramayana. It is a city of immense antiquity full of historical significance and sacred temples. The Atharvaveda described Ayodhya as "a city built by Gods and being prosperous as paradise itself."

The first ruling dynasty of this region were the Ikshvakus of the solar clan (Suryavansa). According to tradition, Ikshvaku was the eldest son of Vaivasvata Manu, who established himself at Ayodhya. The word for earth `Prithivi’ found in many Indian languages is supposed to have been derived from Prithu, the sixth king of the line. A few generations later came Mandhatri, in whose line the 31st king was Harischandra, known widely for his truthfulness(Sathya-sandhata) which he accepted as his life-style. He is also famous for his other good acts as king which were followed by the other kings of the Surya Vamsa also. Raja Sagar of the same clan performed the Asvamedha Yajna and his great grandson Bhagiratha is reputed to have brought the river Ganges on to the earth by virtue of his penance. Later in the time came the great Raghu, after whom the family came to be called as Raghuvamsa. His grandson was Raja Dasaratha, the father of Rama with whom the glory of the Kausala dynasty reached its highest point. The story of this epic has been immortalised by Valmiki in the Ramayana.

Ayodhya is a city of many places of worship. Several religions have grown and prospered simultaneously and at different periods. Remnants of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Islam can still be found in Ayodhya. According to Jainism, five Tirthankaras were born at Ayodhya, including Adinath (first Tirthankar), Ajitnath (second Tirthankar), Abhinandanath (fourth Tirthankar), Sumatinath (fifth Tirthankar) and Anantnath (fourteenth Tirthankar). According to Jain Agams, it is the 2nd eternal city after Shikharji, which never vanishes or disappears during change of eras.