A Pilgrimage Through Time
Discover the spiritual essence of Ayodhya and the unique bond between BAPS with the Shri Ram Mandir
Imagine going on a vacation out of the country for a week. After spending tremendous amounts of time vacationing, we yearn to be in a place that is familiar to us — our home. When we enter our house after being away for so long, we feel a sense of relief and comfort. For those who are religious, this is a similar feeling when one visits a sacred site of their tradition.
Many faiths around the world have sacred sites which hold a lot of energy and symbolism for their belief and tradition. Some sites include Mecca for Muslims, Bethlehem and the Vatican for Christians, Western Wall for Jews, Harmandir Sahib for Sikhs, Bodh Gaya for Buddhists and Palitana for Jains.
Similarly in Hinduism, there are many sacred sites based on one’s beliefs and traditions. These pilgrimage sites or holy locations are commonly known as known as a tīrtha. His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj has listed some of the many core places of pilgrimage for Hindus in verse 260 of the Satsang Diksha scripture:
Today, we will look at one such tīrtha — Ayodhya.
Ayodhya
Ayodhya is special for many Hindus as it is the birthplace of Bhagwan Shri Ramachandra (or Shri Ram).
Bhagwan Shri Ram is a manifestation (avatāra) of Bhagwan Shri Vishnu and is seen as the embodiment of virtue and righteousness. His story is told in the Rāmāyana, one of the two itihās shāstra (epic scriptures) of Hinduism, which unfolds a tale of duty, sacrifice, faith and love. Prince Ram — accompanied by his loyal wife Sitaji and devoted brother Lakshmana — went into a fourteen-year exile by the words of his stepmother. During this time, he would face the ultimate test when Sitaji was abducted by the evil king Ravan. Ram’s unwavering commitment to dharma (righteousness) led him to confront and defeat Ravan, rescuing Sita and restoring balance. Often referred as “the ideal for humans,” his exemplary life serves as a timeless guide for ethical conduct and moral principles, unwavering faith and the strength in unity.
You can read more about his tale in my other article: “Because You Deserve Peace.”
Ayodhya is located in present day state of ‘Uttar Pradesh’ in Northeast India. Ayodhya is located along the Saryu River and is 20 miles from Chhapaiya (the birthplace of Bhagwan Shri Swaminarayan) and 80 miles from Lucknow (the nearest large city).
Bhagwan Swaminarayan & Ayodhya
Bhagwan Swaminarayan (known as ‘Ghanshyam’ as a child) moved from Chhapaiya to Ayodhya in 1786. He would wake up early in the morning to bathe in the River Saryu, visit the nearby mandirs and study under his teacher, Hridayram, and master the scriptures under his father, Dharmadev.
Every day, Ghanshyam would visit the various mandirs in Ayodhya, such as Kanak Bhuvan (a mandir dedicated to Bhagwan Shri Ram and Shri Sitaji) and Hanuman Gadhi (a mandir dedicated to Shri Hanumanji). He would listen to the discourses given by the heads of the mandirs of the Ramayana, Bhagavad Gita and other scriptures. He stayed n Ayodhya for seven years before beginning his pilgrimage around India at the age of 11.
Watch the stories of Bhagwan Swaminarayan in Ayodhya through Shri Swaminarayan Charitra Part-3 in Hindi or English.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj & Ayodhya
Whenever His Holiness Yogiji Maharaj, the guru of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, visited Ayodhya — first in 1953 and then again in 1956 and 1968 — he would chant the holy name in prayer for peaceful reconciliation and a beautiful mandir to be built at the birthplace of Bhagwan Shri Ram.
Between 1953 and 1982, His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj visited Ayodhya eight times: December 1953, December 1956, May 1968, December 1970, December 1972, July 1975, May 1979, and November 1982.
In 1953, a special spiritual travel was held in memory of Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s guru, Shastriji Maharaj, to visit the various sacred sites in India. A devotee, Dhirubhai Rana, requested Yogiji Maharaj to visit Ayodhya. Due to Yogiji Maharaj’s frail health, Pramukh Swami Maharaj and some senior swamis visited Ayodhya and did darshan at the various sacred locations.
In 1982, while visiting Ayodhya, Pramukh Swami Maharaj offered special prayers at Hanuman Gadhi, Kanak Bhuvan, Ram Janmabhoomi and other holy locations.
While talking with the sādhus of the various mandirs in Ayodhya at the time, they had expressed a wish to build a mandir on the birthplace of Bhagwan Shri Ram, commonly known as “Ram Janmabhoomi.” Pramukh Swami Maharaj listened to their concerns and prayed for a peaceful resolution to the Ram Janmabhoomi.
The head of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust at the time, Pujya Mahant Shri Nritya Gopaldasji Maharaj, met Pramukh Swami Maharaj for the first time. When visiting BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham, Gandhinagar, in 1992, he recalled the first meeting with Pramukh Swami Maharaj, saying,
“Pramukh Swami Maharaj comes from the tradition of ancient rishis… Pramukh Swami Maharaj shows care and love towards the birthplace of Bhagwan Ram…Wherever [Pramukh Swami Maharaj] is, he carries the tradition of spirituality and the touch of Hinduism.”
Since then, Pramukh Swami Maharaj has expressed an interest in helping build the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir as it was a foundational pilgrimage site for Hindus worldwide.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj & Shri Ram Mandir
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust had approached Pramukh Swami Maharaj and requested him to offer the first brick to build a mandir at the birthplace of Bhagwan Shri Ram.
On August 16, 1989, the auspicious occasion of Rakshabandhan, Pramukh Swami Maharaj sanctified the first shilā (brick) of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in Ahmedabad. Amidst the Vedic chants, Pramukh Swami Maharaj prayed for a grand mandir to be built on the Ram Janmabhoomi and offered the brick to the committee.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj would often pray for a peaceful resolution for the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir.
On October 30, 1990, Pramukh Swami Maharaj was in London and woke up early in the morning to offer prayers for the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir. He offered dhun from 3:30 am to 5:00 am, known as Brahma Muhrat, which is an auspicious time to wake up and offer prayers. On this occasion, Pramukh Swami Maharaj said,
“Bhagwan Swaminarayan would offer darshan at Ram Janmabhoomi, Kanak Bhuvan, Hanuman Gadhi, etc… As Hindus, one must be proud of their ishtadev (personal deity), however, regardless of the deity, we must not disrespect one another and must have respect for all of the manifestations of Paramātmā… We are one — Sanātana Dharma, Vaidik Dharma… We all must support the completion of the building of the Rama Janmabhoomi with enthusiasm and peace and may a peaceful resolution be achieved.”
Throughout the years, he continued discussions with many sadhus and mahants and offered prayers for peace and the construction of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir.
Mahant Swami Maharaj & Shri Ram Mandir
31 years later, on August 3, 2020, the auspicious occasion of Rakshabandhan, Mahant Swami Maharaj performed the pujan of the shila yantra, which was placed at the foundation of the Shri Ram Janmaboomi Mandir.
On this occasion, Mahant Swami Maharaj said,
“As a result of many years of resolute faith, penance and sacrifice of countless devotees and various sant-mahatmas, the construction of the majestic mandir at the birthplace of Shri Ram is going to commence… This mandir will provide inspiration to countless generations from Sanātana Dharma, our culture, values and spirituality. Countless generations will learn the values and prescripts from the divine life of Shri Ramchandraji.”
Additionally, on behalf of Mahant Swami Maharaj, the senior swamis of BAPS offered a kumbh (auspicious pot) with the sacred soil of 42 holy Hindu mandirs and sacred places of pilgrimage of the BAPS Swaminarayan tradition to be placed in the foundation of the Shri Ram Mandir. Some tirths include, Srirangam, Mansarovar, Chhapaiya, Loj, Gadhada, Bhadra, Ahmedabad and even the soil of the BAPS Mandirs in Houston, Chicago and Atlanta!
On August 5, 2020, senior swamis of BAPS attended the foundation laying ceremony of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir alongside numerous organizations of Hinduism.
In 2023, Shri Govinddevgiriji Maharaj, a trustee and treasurer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirthkshetra Trust attended the murti-pratishtha ceremony of the sacred shrines at BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville, NJ.
He performed the prāna-pratishthā of Shri Ram Darbar. Following the prāna-pratishthā, he said,
“If I had not attended today’s pratishtha, it would have been a great regret for the rest of my life…I have not come here to give out, but to collect blessings from here. The reflection of Indian culture is standing here in all its glory… I believe that Mahant Swami Maharaj wanted me to begin the auspicious beginning of the murti-pratishtha of the great Ram Mandir in Ayodhya here [at Akshardham].”
And on January 19th, 2024, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj penned a letter expressing his overwhelming joy at the inauguration of the Shri Rama Mandir in Ayodhya at the sacred site of Shri Ramchandra Bhagwan’s birthplace.
Celebrating this Occasion
Hinduism is rich in the diversity of traditions, philosophies and beliefs. Despite the diversity of Hinduism, there are a few principles and sacred sites that bind many Hindus together. Similar to other religions, sacred sites are an opportunity to connect with the Divine and rekindle the flame of spirituality. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir is akin to such sacred sites as it is the heart of faith for many Hindus.
Under the guidance of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, senior swamis of BAPS have asked for the 1,500 mandirs and 21,000 satsang centers around the world to participate in celebrating this occasion as well. Many organizations will be participating in this auspicious occasion as it is a unifying event for Hindus worldwide. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir is one such example of bringing the rich tapestry of Hinduism and India together.
Mauktik Dave
