Shri Ram Janmabhoomi is the site that is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of the Hindu deity Vishnu. The site is located in the holy city of Ayodhya, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. The site is also known as Ram Mandir or Ayodhya Temple and is one of the most sacred and revered places for Hindus.
History of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi
The history of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi is shrouded in mystery and controversy. According to the Hindu epic Ramayana, Lord Rama was born in Ayodhya on the banks of the Sarayu River. Some Hindus claim that the exact spot of his birthplace is where the Babri Masjid, a mosque built by the Mughal emperor Babur in 1528, once stood. There is no conclusive historical or archaeological evidence to support this claim. The site has been a subject of dispute between Hindus and Muslims for centuries and has witnessed several conflicts and violence.
Recent and Significant Ram Janmabhoomi
The most recent and significant event was the demolition of the Babri Masjid by Hindu nationalists on December 6, 1992, which sparked widespread communal riots across India. The legal battle over the ownership and status of the site reached the Supreme Court of India, which heard the case from August to October 2019.
On November 9, 2019, the Supreme Court delivered its verdict, which ordered that the disputed land be handed over to a trust to build a Hindu temple and that a separate plot of land be allotted to the Muslim parties to construct a mosque.
The construction of the Ram Temple officially began on March 25, 2020, with a grand ceremony on August 5, 2020, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone. The temple is expected to be completed by 2025 and will have a grand structure with five domes, 360 pillars, and a 161-foot-tall statue of Lord Rama.
How to reach Shri Ram Janmabhoomi?
Shri Ram Janmabhoomi can be reached by various modes of transport.
- By Air: The nearest airport to Ayodhya is Faizabad Airport, which is about 8 km away from the city. From there, you can take a taxi or an auto-rickshaw to reach the site. The nearest major airport is Lucknow Airport, which is about 130 km away from Ayodhya.
- By Train: The nearest railway station to Ayodhya is Ayodhya Junction, which is about 1.5 km away from the city.
- By Road: Ayodhya is well connected by road with other major cities and towns of Uttar Pradesh and other states.
The Best time to Visit Shri Ram Janmabhoomi
Shri Ram Janmabhoomi can be visited throughout the year, but the best time is during the winter months (October to March) when the weather is pleasant for exploring the site and its surroundings. The summer months (April to June) are very hot and humid, and may not be suitable for some visitors. The monsoon months (July to September) may cause some inconvenience due to heavy rains and floods.
Find out everything you need to know about this sacred site, its history, its location, and its best time to visit. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore one of the most revered tourist attractions in Ayodhya.