A Family-Trip to the Land of Rama.
It was in the month of January/February ’2026 that we went on a highly satisfying tour to the Land of Ravana (Srilanka)
.(https://www.tamilbrahmins.com/threads/srilanka-yatra-2026.59757/ ),
In the very next month of that tour, we embarked on a Family trip to the Land of Rama (Sri Rama Janma Bhoomi).
We covered Kashi, Prayag, Ayodhya and Naimisharanyam in this five-day trip.
We had earlier been to Prayag, Kashi and Gaya, in January 2024 (we four brothers and our spouses) to perform the Rituals, for our departed elders.
(https://www.tamilbrahmins.com/threads/prayag-kashi-gaya-rameswaram-yatra-revised.56175/)
Since my mother’s annual Shrardham also fell during this period, we decided to perform the same at Kashi, during this trip.
Further my Son and DIL, also wanted to have the Darshan of Lord Vishwanath and Annapoorani in the newly built Kashi-Corridor, apart from our long pending visits to Ayodhya and Naimisharanyam.
Day-1.
We started from Chennai by the Indigo Airlines flight at 18.30 Hrs and landed at Varanasi around 20.45 hrs.
Our Vadhyar (Sri Kaushik s/o Kedareswara Sastrigal of Hanuman Ghat – Ph +91 9936423000), had sent the car to the airport to pick us up.
We reached our lodge (Usha Palace Guest House) near Hanuman Ghat.
(Contact : Ritesh - +919721441816)
It was a neat & compact guest house, with AC and free Wi-Fi, very near to the home of our Vadhyar and also the Hanuman Ghat.
As it was already 11 pm by the time we reached the Guest House, all of us hit the bed.
Day-2.
Today we woke up around 6 am and decided to start our Yatra with the Holy Bath in the Ganga, at Hanuman Ghat.
It was a Sunday Morning and hence not much of a rush at the Ghat.
The Ganga River thanks to the copious monsoon, was flowing to the brim,
We enjoyed a leisurely bath and returned to our room.
Our Vadhyar had arranged for an E-Rikshaw for the four of us (4+ 1 child).
We started our Temple Run, after our breakfast.
Chozhi-Amman Temple
This Devi also known locally as Kaudi-Maatha, is supposed to be the Grama-Devatha of Kashi.
We purchased a couple of ‘Chozhi’ (Cowry Shell) sold inside the temple campus and took it the Shrine, after climbing a few steps.
We offer the Chozhi to the Amman with the Prayer, “We offer this Chozhi to You; Kindly bless us with the Punya-Phala of our Kashi yatra”.
Satyanarayan-Tulsi-Manasa-Mandir
From there we proceeded to the ‘Tulsi-Manasa-Mandir’.
This is a beautiful temple constructed at the very site where Sant Tulsidas composed his immortal classic ‘Ram-Charitha-Manas’.
It is constructed with white marble stones and its entre walls are painted with the verses of Ram Charitha Manas.
The main shrine is dedicated to Lord Satya Narayana.
There are also Shrines for various deities of Hindu pantheon.
On the first floor there are electronically operated dolls, depicting select scenes from the Ramayana.
Children will enjoy the atmosphere.
And the most important thing is that no one will pester you for money here, unlike other temples which we will be visiting in due course.
Durga Matha Mandir
Our next stop was Durga Matha Mandir, surrounded by the Holy Durga-Kund.
It is an 18th century temple, in striking red colour, dedicated to Durga Matha.
The Devi is depicted in Her fierce Form holding weapons in Her ten hands.
Devotees take a dip in the Holy Pond and enter the temple.
There was quite a crowd in this temple, as it was a Sunday.
Sankat-Mochan-Hanuman-Mandir
Our final stop for the morning was the famous ‘Sankat-Mochan-Hanuman-Mandir’.
This Hanuman was installed by Sant Tulsidas Himself.
This temple is situated in the middle of a huge park, with more than one entry/exit gate.
So, remember through which gate you are entering.
The temple is always crowded with devotees, and many were sitting around, chanting the Hanuman Chalisa.
After a blissful Darshan we returned to our Vadyar’s house for a homely lunch and then to our room.
Kashi Vishvanath Mandir
Our Afternoon sojourn started around 2.30 pm.
The same E-Rikshaw was ready (Bharath) to take us to the Kashi Vishvanath Mandir.
We were dropped at a Flower/Prasad shop at the entrance of the temple.
The Pundit there got us the Special Darshan Ticket @ Rs 500/- per person.
He accompanied us inside the temple and patiently explained every feature.
With much less crowd, we navigated through the Queue and had a Blissful Darshan of Lord Vishwanath in less than 30 minutes.
Annapoorna Devi Temple.
From there we proceeded to the ancient temple of Devi Annapoorna.
The accompanying Pundit took us inside to the nearest spot from the main deity.
We had a blissful Darshan at close quarters and returned to Vishwanath temple.
Gyan Vapi
Then our undit took us to the Gyan Vapi (The Holy Well).
It is said that during the Mughal Invasion, the priests took the original Jyotir-Lingam and kept it hidden inside the Gyan-Vapi.
Later, Rani Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore, brought one Shiva-Lingam from Narmada and installed inside the new constructed temple, by the side of Gyan Vapi.
The present Lingam inside the temple is the same one installed by the Great Queen.
The Original Jyotirlinga of Lord Vishwanath is still under the Gyan-Vaapi Well.
The Mughals then constructed the Mosque and used this well for washing their arms and feet.
After prolonged legal battle, an excavation was done by the ASI, and it was established that the Gyan Vapi was indeed a Hindu worshipping place.
Later, in 2024 the Supreme Court allowed worship at the Gyan Vapi, and the case is still going on witing for the final judgement.
The Well is closed, and a small Shiva-Lingam is created daily with flowers for the devotees to offer their worship.
Devi Visalakshi Temple.
Later we were taken to the Visalakshi Temple.
It’s a small temple ancient temple, situated on a narrow lane, and mostly visited by the South Indians.
It is a small temple situated in a cramped space.
After worship, we moved back to the shop in Vishwanath Corridor, where the pundit accompanied us inside for darshan. .
Normally your Vadhyar/Guide will inform in advance about the probable amount you have to pay to the Pundit who accompanies you on all such temple visits.
If not, my suggestion is that ‘Please ascertain the amount payable to such people, before you start your temple visit’.
Else, you will be told pay an amount, which you have never even imagined.
Our Next item in the itinerary was shopping.
Every pundit or his associates have a tie-up with one of the handloom shops, where the pilgrims are led to.
So, you will be led to that particular shop.
But by and large, all such shop sell reliable material only.
After a lot of window-shopping and some small purchase we returned to our room.
Kala Bhairav Temple
Evening after our dinner, we started for the Kala Bhairav Temple by 9 pm, to avoid the Sunday rush.
Despite the late night, there was auge crowd in that temple situated on a very narrow street.
After moving in the queue for almost 45 minutes, we finally had the Darshan of the guardian deity of Kashi Kshetra.
We returned to our room by 10.30 and hit the bed.
Day-3.
Today was the day of Shrardham for my mother.
Morning, all of us had a Holy Bath in the Ganges.
We completed the Shrardham and returned to our room after lunch.
Evening by 5.30 pm, we were escorted to Hanuman Ghat and we boarded a waiting boat by 6 pm.
After a long ride we halted at a place called Ghow-Ghat for witnessing the Arti.
The Arti to Ganga-Maatha, which is 45-minutes long, is performed at 6 pm during winter and 7 pm during summer months.
The Arti performed at the Dasa-Aswamedha-Ghat is the most important one and the best Spectacle.
But owing to the crowd we were taken to this ghat to witness the Arti from our boat.
There was considerable crowd here also.
After witnessing the Arti for about 30 minutes we returned to our room for rest.
My suggestion to fellow pilgrims, is to avoid this boat ride for Arti, which is quite expensive too.
The boats are never taken anywhere near the ghats, and in many cases we are taken to inconsequential ghats to witness the Arti.
My suggestion is to take your place on the steps of Manikarnika Ghat (Near the Temple) or the Dasa-Aswamedha Ghat (The main arti is done here), well in advance.
That way you can experience the Devotion and Bliss during the Arti.
Day-4
Morning, we woke up early and packed our belongings.
Our Innova-Krysta was ready for our journey.
We started towards Prayagraj by 5.30 am.
After travelling for about two and half hours, we reached Prayagraj.
We halted for breakfast and proceeded to the Ghat for boarding our Boat to Sangam.
There are hundreds of boat vying with each other in taking you aboard.
You need to negotiate a lot with these people.
Finally, we fixed up a separate boat for five of us.
Normally at Sangam, there will be a small island-like structure where we can get down and have our ritual-bath.
But due to heavy rains, this piece of land was not visible.
So, the boatman took us to the Sangam Point and inserted a wooden plank between two boats.
We were asked to get down on that plank and take our bath.
It was a different experience altogether.
Then they collect some parking fees, fees for coconut, and so on.
It is always money, money, money…. Under one pretext or other.
We had our bath and then returned to the shore.
After dressing up, we visited the Veni-Madhav Temple in Prayagraj.
There is one Shiva Temple directly opposite to the Veni-Madav Temple.
Both the temples have been renovated during the Maha Kumbh in 2025.
After Darshan of Lord Narayana and Lord Shiva, we continued our journey towards Ayodhya.
It was a long five-hour journey to the Land of Rama.
Our accommodation was quite far off from the town, called Sundaram Home-Stay.
It’s a decent hotel with basic amenities.
After refreshing our cab driver arranged for a e-Rikshaw to take u to Sri Rama Janma Bhoomi (Rs 1,000/- to and fro).
The Rikshaw wallah was a jolly good person, explaining to us about the situation in Ayodhya before the Ram Temple came into being, and their life before that.
He first took us to the Banks of Sarayu River,
Initially we thought of having a bath there.
But considering the unhygienic conditions on the bank, we just entered the river and sprinkled the holy water on our heads.
From there we went to the Janma Boomi, through several narrow roads.
He dropped us about a few hundred metres from the Main gate.
He advised us that since both of us were 70+, he asked us to register as senior citizen and take the wheelchair.
That way my son and DIL could also accompany us.
They verify the Aadhar Card for age and allot one volunteer to push to wheelchair.
They charge Rs 150/-. Per person which is to be paid directly to the volunteer.
Accordingly, we took the wheelchair and after security checkup atleast in two places we reached the temple side-door.
There we were asked to get down and move on foot.
For people who cannot walk, they allow the wheelchair inside the temple also.
We moved in the queue (less than 50 people ahead of us) and had a Peaceful Darshan of Ram Lulla in about 20 minutes.
Lord Rama looked like a Five-year-old Child, much younger than what we visualised him in the photos, till now.
It was indeed a mesmerising Darshan.
The beautification of the inner Prakaram, and construction of the outer Prakaram is progressing briskly
They said that the entire complex will be ready by 2028.
After collecting the prasadam, we moved on.
The volunteers dropped us at one point near the exit gate and showed the way to the Hanuman Garhi Temple.
This 10th century Hanuman Temple is situated on a small hillock.
We must climb 76 steps to reach the Shrine.
This temple is always crowded with Devotees.
We moved in the queue and had Darshan of Lord Hanuman.
After the satisfying Darshan of Ram Lulla and Hanuman, we returned to our lodge in the same rikshaw.
It was here that we heard about the LPG shortage, that started gripping hotels.
Many restaurants had shut shop.
Luckily for us, there was a small restaurant near our staying place which was still using Tandoor and Charcoal-based stoves.
So, we had some hot nourishing dinner.
After a tiring journey we hit the bed, with the blissful memories of the Bath at Prayagraj and the Darshan of Sri Ram.
Day-5.
Today morning we decided to move to our next destination, Naimisharanyam, one of the Eight Svayam-Vyaktha-Kshetras.
Morning the restaurant provided us with Poha, for our breakfast.
We started around 8 am.
We reached our destination around 1 pm.
Our Staying place was almost at the outskirts of the small town.
Many restaurants had closed down due to shortage of Gas supply.
Our driver was able to locate one restaurant who promised to provide us just curd rice.
That cold curd rice was our staple diet that day for lunch and dinner.
After that frugal lunch we returned to our room.
In the evening, around 4 pm, we engaged one E-Rikshaw for our temple visit.
Lalitha Devi Temple
Our First Stop was the Lalitha Devi Temple, which is considered as one of the fifty-one Shakthi Peeths of Devi.
It is a small temple, and the main deity is a Swayambhu Murthy.
There were several devotees chanting prayers and going around the temple.
We spent some time in this temple, which is always crowded with devotees.
Chakra-Theertham
From there we visited the Chakra-Theertham, considered to be the holiest of all Theerthas.
It is a circular pond believed to have been created by Lord Brahma, to save the Sages of that region from the Asuric forces.
A Holy Bath in this Theertha is a must when you visit Naimisharanyam.
There are several small temples around this Theertham.
Hanuman Temple.
Our next visit was the famous Hanuman Garhi.
Here, Lord Hanuman is seen carrying Lord Ram and Lakshman on his shoulders, emerging from Paatala-Loka after vanquishing Mayi-Ravana.
Veda Vyasa Gadhi.
Then we visited the most important place in Naimisharanyam, the Ved Vyas Gadhi, located in a sprawling area. .
It is here that Sage Vyasa, had divided the Vedas into four parts and composed the eighteen Puranas, under a Banyan Tree.
The ‘Seat of Vyasa’ adorns the main Shrine with his illustrious son ‘Suka Brahma Rishi’ seated in the adjacent Shrine.
There is also a separate Shrine of ‘Suta Maharshi’ who propagated all the Puranas to the Rishis of Naimisharanyam.
Another Shrine is dedicated to Sage Dadeechi, who gave up his body so that Indira could make his Vajra-Ayutha from his bones.
Outside this Shrine here is an ancient Banyan Tree.
Adjacent to this, there is the Shrine of Svyambuva Manu and his consort Shatarupa, considered to be the First Humans created.
They performed Tapas in Naimisharanyam before they started creating other living beings.
After spending close to one hour in the temple we went to the banks of Gomti River.
It was a cool evening, with the river flowing gently and there were only a few people meditating on its banks.
We spent considerable time, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere and started for our last destination in Naimisharanyam.
Nava Narasimha Temple.
Our next stop was the Nava-Narasimha Temple constructed and maintained by the Ahobilam Math.
The 43rd Azhagiya Singar of Ahobilam Mutt attained Siddhi here and there is a beautiful Adishtanam constructed for Him in the vicinity of the main temple.
While the main deity is Lord Lakshmi Narasimha, the surrounding shrines house the eight other aspects of Lord Narasimha, as you can see at Ahobilam.
The temple is very clean and well maintained.
They also have rooms for pilgrims and serve South Indian food, if informed in advance.
The priests serving in that temple are from Tamil Nadu.
For South Indian devotees going alone or in small groups, I think this would be the best place to Stay in Naimisharanyam.
(Contact – Narasing Mandir - +91 9867550316, +91 9867550318)
After a Peaceful Darshan in the Temple, we returned to our Lodge.
Day-6
Morning got up and packed up our belongings.
We had our breakfast in the same restaurant and started towards Lucknow, which we reached after a two-hour drive.
Our plan was to go around Lucknow and do some shopping.
Our driver halted in one cloth shop to buy Chikan Sarees and Dress Materials, which is the speciality in Lucknow.
Then we moved to Hazrathganj for street-shopping.
But unfortunately, our Driver was unaware of any details of this shopping area.
After moving around for an hour, in the blazing hot sun, we decided to move to Lucknow Airport which we reached by 2.30 pm.
The Choudhry Charan Singh International Airport is a tidy and very well-maintained airport.
I was told the airport is maintained by the Adani Group.
We were permitted to take the boarding pass and also completed the security check, though we were five hours before time.
We had an early dinner at Idly.com in the airport.
The Indigo flight was on time, and we boarded the flight at 6.45 pm, which took off at 7.20 pm.
After an uneventful journey of more than two hours, we landed at our ‘Namma-Chennai’ airport by 10 pm.
Had to wait for some time to collect our baggage, took our cab and reached our home by 11.30.
Thus, our Yatra to Kashi, Prayag, Ayodhya and Naimisharanyam, concluded.
Ram Ram.
R Sridhar
+91 9094029290
It was in the month of January/February ’2026 that we went on a highly satisfying tour to the Land of Ravana (Srilanka)
.(https://www.tamilbrahmins.com/threads/srilanka-yatra-2026.59757/ ),
In the very next month of that tour, we embarked on a Family trip to the Land of Rama (Sri Rama Janma Bhoomi).
We covered Kashi, Prayag, Ayodhya and Naimisharanyam in this five-day trip.
We had earlier been to Prayag, Kashi and Gaya, in January 2024 (we four brothers and our spouses) to perform the Rituals, for our departed elders.
(https://www.tamilbrahmins.com/threads/prayag-kashi-gaya-rameswaram-yatra-revised.56175/)
Since my mother’s annual Shrardham also fell during this period, we decided to perform the same at Kashi, during this trip.
Further my Son and DIL, also wanted to have the Darshan of Lord Vishwanath and Annapoorani in the newly built Kashi-Corridor, apart from our long pending visits to Ayodhya and Naimisharanyam.
Day-1.
We started from Chennai by the Indigo Airlines flight at 18.30 Hrs and landed at Varanasi around 20.45 hrs.
Our Vadhyar (Sri Kaushik s/o Kedareswara Sastrigal of Hanuman Ghat – Ph +91 9936423000), had sent the car to the airport to pick us up.
We reached our lodge (Usha Palace Guest House) near Hanuman Ghat.
(Contact : Ritesh - +919721441816)
It was a neat & compact guest house, with AC and free Wi-Fi, very near to the home of our Vadhyar and also the Hanuman Ghat.
As it was already 11 pm by the time we reached the Guest House, all of us hit the bed.
Day-2.
Today we woke up around 6 am and decided to start our Yatra with the Holy Bath in the Ganga, at Hanuman Ghat.
It was a Sunday Morning and hence not much of a rush at the Ghat.
The Ganga River thanks to the copious monsoon, was flowing to the brim,
We enjoyed a leisurely bath and returned to our room.
Our Vadhyar had arranged for an E-Rikshaw for the four of us (4+ 1 child).
We started our Temple Run, after our breakfast.
Chozhi-Amman Temple
This Devi also known locally as Kaudi-Maatha, is supposed to be the Grama-Devatha of Kashi.
We purchased a couple of ‘Chozhi’ (Cowry Shell) sold inside the temple campus and took it the Shrine, after climbing a few steps.
We offer the Chozhi to the Amman with the Prayer, “We offer this Chozhi to You; Kindly bless us with the Punya-Phala of our Kashi yatra”.
Satyanarayan-Tulsi-Manasa-Mandir
From there we proceeded to the ‘Tulsi-Manasa-Mandir’.
This is a beautiful temple constructed at the very site where Sant Tulsidas composed his immortal classic ‘Ram-Charitha-Manas’.
It is constructed with white marble stones and its entre walls are painted with the verses of Ram Charitha Manas.
The main shrine is dedicated to Lord Satya Narayana.
There are also Shrines for various deities of Hindu pantheon.
On the first floor there are electronically operated dolls, depicting select scenes from the Ramayana.
Children will enjoy the atmosphere.
And the most important thing is that no one will pester you for money here, unlike other temples which we will be visiting in due course.
Durga Matha Mandir
Our next stop was Durga Matha Mandir, surrounded by the Holy Durga-Kund.
It is an 18th century temple, in striking red colour, dedicated to Durga Matha.
The Devi is depicted in Her fierce Form holding weapons in Her ten hands.
Devotees take a dip in the Holy Pond and enter the temple.
There was quite a crowd in this temple, as it was a Sunday.
Sankat-Mochan-Hanuman-Mandir
Our final stop for the morning was the famous ‘Sankat-Mochan-Hanuman-Mandir’.
This Hanuman was installed by Sant Tulsidas Himself.
This temple is situated in the middle of a huge park, with more than one entry/exit gate.
So, remember through which gate you are entering.
The temple is always crowded with devotees, and many were sitting around, chanting the Hanuman Chalisa.
After a blissful Darshan we returned to our Vadyar’s house for a homely lunch and then to our room.
Kashi Vishvanath Mandir
Our Afternoon sojourn started around 2.30 pm.
The same E-Rikshaw was ready (Bharath) to take us to the Kashi Vishvanath Mandir.
We were dropped at a Flower/Prasad shop at the entrance of the temple.
The Pundit there got us the Special Darshan Ticket @ Rs 500/- per person.
He accompanied us inside the temple and patiently explained every feature.
With much less crowd, we navigated through the Queue and had a Blissful Darshan of Lord Vishwanath in less than 30 minutes.
Annapoorna Devi Temple.
From there we proceeded to the ancient temple of Devi Annapoorna.
The accompanying Pundit took us inside to the nearest spot from the main deity.
We had a blissful Darshan at close quarters and returned to Vishwanath temple.
Gyan Vapi
Then our undit took us to the Gyan Vapi (The Holy Well).
It is said that during the Mughal Invasion, the priests took the original Jyotir-Lingam and kept it hidden inside the Gyan-Vapi.
Later, Rani Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore, brought one Shiva-Lingam from Narmada and installed inside the new constructed temple, by the side of Gyan Vapi.
The present Lingam inside the temple is the same one installed by the Great Queen.
The Original Jyotirlinga of Lord Vishwanath is still under the Gyan-Vaapi Well.
The Mughals then constructed the Mosque and used this well for washing their arms and feet.
After prolonged legal battle, an excavation was done by the ASI, and it was established that the Gyan Vapi was indeed a Hindu worshipping place.
Later, in 2024 the Supreme Court allowed worship at the Gyan Vapi, and the case is still going on witing for the final judgement.
The Well is closed, and a small Shiva-Lingam is created daily with flowers for the devotees to offer their worship.
Devi Visalakshi Temple.
Later we were taken to the Visalakshi Temple.
It’s a small temple ancient temple, situated on a narrow lane, and mostly visited by the South Indians.
It is a small temple situated in a cramped space.
After worship, we moved back to the shop in Vishwanath Corridor, where the pundit accompanied us inside for darshan. .
Normally your Vadhyar/Guide will inform in advance about the probable amount you have to pay to the Pundit who accompanies you on all such temple visits.
If not, my suggestion is that ‘Please ascertain the amount payable to such people, before you start your temple visit’.
Else, you will be told pay an amount, which you have never even imagined.
Our Next item in the itinerary was shopping.
Every pundit or his associates have a tie-up with one of the handloom shops, where the pilgrims are led to.
So, you will be led to that particular shop.
But by and large, all such shop sell reliable material only.
After a lot of window-shopping and some small purchase we returned to our room.
Kala Bhairav Temple
Evening after our dinner, we started for the Kala Bhairav Temple by 9 pm, to avoid the Sunday rush.
Despite the late night, there was auge crowd in that temple situated on a very narrow street.
After moving in the queue for almost 45 minutes, we finally had the Darshan of the guardian deity of Kashi Kshetra.
We returned to our room by 10.30 and hit the bed.
Day-3.
Today was the day of Shrardham for my mother.
Morning, all of us had a Holy Bath in the Ganges.
We completed the Shrardham and returned to our room after lunch.
Evening by 5.30 pm, we were escorted to Hanuman Ghat and we boarded a waiting boat by 6 pm.
After a long ride we halted at a place called Ghow-Ghat for witnessing the Arti.
The Arti to Ganga-Maatha, which is 45-minutes long, is performed at 6 pm during winter and 7 pm during summer months.
The Arti performed at the Dasa-Aswamedha-Ghat is the most important one and the best Spectacle.
But owing to the crowd we were taken to this ghat to witness the Arti from our boat.
There was considerable crowd here also.
After witnessing the Arti for about 30 minutes we returned to our room for rest.
My suggestion to fellow pilgrims, is to avoid this boat ride for Arti, which is quite expensive too.
The boats are never taken anywhere near the ghats, and in many cases we are taken to inconsequential ghats to witness the Arti.
My suggestion is to take your place on the steps of Manikarnika Ghat (Near the Temple) or the Dasa-Aswamedha Ghat (The main arti is done here), well in advance.
That way you can experience the Devotion and Bliss during the Arti.
Day-4
Morning, we woke up early and packed our belongings.
Our Innova-Krysta was ready for our journey.
We started towards Prayagraj by 5.30 am.
After travelling for about two and half hours, we reached Prayagraj.
We halted for breakfast and proceeded to the Ghat for boarding our Boat to Sangam.
There are hundreds of boat vying with each other in taking you aboard.
You need to negotiate a lot with these people.
Finally, we fixed up a separate boat for five of us.
Normally at Sangam, there will be a small island-like structure where we can get down and have our ritual-bath.
But due to heavy rains, this piece of land was not visible.
So, the boatman took us to the Sangam Point and inserted a wooden plank between two boats.
We were asked to get down on that plank and take our bath.
It was a different experience altogether.
Then they collect some parking fees, fees for coconut, and so on.
It is always money, money, money…. Under one pretext or other.
We had our bath and then returned to the shore.
After dressing up, we visited the Veni-Madhav Temple in Prayagraj.
There is one Shiva Temple directly opposite to the Veni-Madav Temple.
Both the temples have been renovated during the Maha Kumbh in 2025.
After Darshan of Lord Narayana and Lord Shiva, we continued our journey towards Ayodhya.
It was a long five-hour journey to the Land of Rama.
Our accommodation was quite far off from the town, called Sundaram Home-Stay.
It’s a decent hotel with basic amenities.
After refreshing our cab driver arranged for a e-Rikshaw to take u to Sri Rama Janma Bhoomi (Rs 1,000/- to and fro).
The Rikshaw wallah was a jolly good person, explaining to us about the situation in Ayodhya before the Ram Temple came into being, and their life before that.
He first took us to the Banks of Sarayu River,
Initially we thought of having a bath there.
But considering the unhygienic conditions on the bank, we just entered the river and sprinkled the holy water on our heads.
From there we went to the Janma Boomi, through several narrow roads.
He dropped us about a few hundred metres from the Main gate.
He advised us that since both of us were 70+, he asked us to register as senior citizen and take the wheelchair.
That way my son and DIL could also accompany us.
They verify the Aadhar Card for age and allot one volunteer to push to wheelchair.
They charge Rs 150/-. Per person which is to be paid directly to the volunteer.
Accordingly, we took the wheelchair and after security checkup atleast in two places we reached the temple side-door.
There we were asked to get down and move on foot.
For people who cannot walk, they allow the wheelchair inside the temple also.
We moved in the queue (less than 50 people ahead of us) and had a Peaceful Darshan of Ram Lulla in about 20 minutes.
Lord Rama looked like a Five-year-old Child, much younger than what we visualised him in the photos, till now.
It was indeed a mesmerising Darshan.
The beautification of the inner Prakaram, and construction of the outer Prakaram is progressing briskly
They said that the entire complex will be ready by 2028.
After collecting the prasadam, we moved on.
The volunteers dropped us at one point near the exit gate and showed the way to the Hanuman Garhi Temple.
This 10th century Hanuman Temple is situated on a small hillock.
We must climb 76 steps to reach the Shrine.
This temple is always crowded with Devotees.
We moved in the queue and had Darshan of Lord Hanuman.
After the satisfying Darshan of Ram Lulla and Hanuman, we returned to our lodge in the same rikshaw.
It was here that we heard about the LPG shortage, that started gripping hotels.
Many restaurants had shut shop.
Luckily for us, there was a small restaurant near our staying place which was still using Tandoor and Charcoal-based stoves.
So, we had some hot nourishing dinner.
After a tiring journey we hit the bed, with the blissful memories of the Bath at Prayagraj and the Darshan of Sri Ram.
Day-5.
Today morning we decided to move to our next destination, Naimisharanyam, one of the Eight Svayam-Vyaktha-Kshetras.
Morning the restaurant provided us with Poha, for our breakfast.
We started around 8 am.
We reached our destination around 1 pm.
Our Staying place was almost at the outskirts of the small town.
Many restaurants had closed down due to shortage of Gas supply.
Our driver was able to locate one restaurant who promised to provide us just curd rice.
That cold curd rice was our staple diet that day for lunch and dinner.
After that frugal lunch we returned to our room.
In the evening, around 4 pm, we engaged one E-Rikshaw for our temple visit.
Lalitha Devi Temple
Our First Stop was the Lalitha Devi Temple, which is considered as one of the fifty-one Shakthi Peeths of Devi.
It is a small temple, and the main deity is a Swayambhu Murthy.
There were several devotees chanting prayers and going around the temple.
We spent some time in this temple, which is always crowded with devotees.
Chakra-Theertham
From there we visited the Chakra-Theertham, considered to be the holiest of all Theerthas.
It is a circular pond believed to have been created by Lord Brahma, to save the Sages of that region from the Asuric forces.
A Holy Bath in this Theertha is a must when you visit Naimisharanyam.
There are several small temples around this Theertham.
Hanuman Temple.
Our next visit was the famous Hanuman Garhi.
Here, Lord Hanuman is seen carrying Lord Ram and Lakshman on his shoulders, emerging from Paatala-Loka after vanquishing Mayi-Ravana.
Veda Vyasa Gadhi.
Then we visited the most important place in Naimisharanyam, the Ved Vyas Gadhi, located in a sprawling area. .
It is here that Sage Vyasa, had divided the Vedas into four parts and composed the eighteen Puranas, under a Banyan Tree.
The ‘Seat of Vyasa’ adorns the main Shrine with his illustrious son ‘Suka Brahma Rishi’ seated in the adjacent Shrine.
There is also a separate Shrine of ‘Suta Maharshi’ who propagated all the Puranas to the Rishis of Naimisharanyam.
Another Shrine is dedicated to Sage Dadeechi, who gave up his body so that Indira could make his Vajra-Ayutha from his bones.
Outside this Shrine here is an ancient Banyan Tree.
Adjacent to this, there is the Shrine of Svyambuva Manu and his consort Shatarupa, considered to be the First Humans created.
They performed Tapas in Naimisharanyam before they started creating other living beings.
After spending close to one hour in the temple we went to the banks of Gomti River.
It was a cool evening, with the river flowing gently and there were only a few people meditating on its banks.
We spent considerable time, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere and started for our last destination in Naimisharanyam.
Nava Narasimha Temple.
Our next stop was the Nava-Narasimha Temple constructed and maintained by the Ahobilam Math.
The 43rd Azhagiya Singar of Ahobilam Mutt attained Siddhi here and there is a beautiful Adishtanam constructed for Him in the vicinity of the main temple.
While the main deity is Lord Lakshmi Narasimha, the surrounding shrines house the eight other aspects of Lord Narasimha, as you can see at Ahobilam.
The temple is very clean and well maintained.
They also have rooms for pilgrims and serve South Indian food, if informed in advance.
The priests serving in that temple are from Tamil Nadu.
For South Indian devotees going alone or in small groups, I think this would be the best place to Stay in Naimisharanyam.
(Contact – Narasing Mandir - +91 9867550316, +91 9867550318)
After a Peaceful Darshan in the Temple, we returned to our Lodge.
Day-6
Morning got up and packed up our belongings.
We had our breakfast in the same restaurant and started towards Lucknow, which we reached after a two-hour drive.
Our plan was to go around Lucknow and do some shopping.
Our driver halted in one cloth shop to buy Chikan Sarees and Dress Materials, which is the speciality in Lucknow.
Then we moved to Hazrathganj for street-shopping.
But unfortunately, our Driver was unaware of any details of this shopping area.
After moving around for an hour, in the blazing hot sun, we decided to move to Lucknow Airport which we reached by 2.30 pm.
The Choudhry Charan Singh International Airport is a tidy and very well-maintained airport.
I was told the airport is maintained by the Adani Group.
We were permitted to take the boarding pass and also completed the security check, though we were five hours before time.
We had an early dinner at Idly.com in the airport.
The Indigo flight was on time, and we boarded the flight at 6.45 pm, which took off at 7.20 pm.
After an uneventful journey of more than two hours, we landed at our ‘Namma-Chennai’ airport by 10 pm.
Had to wait for some time to collect our baggage, took our cab and reached our home by 11.30.
Thus, our Yatra to Kashi, Prayag, Ayodhya and Naimisharanyam, concluded.
Ram Ram.
R Sridhar
+91 9094029290
