Fairs in Ayodhya
The ethnic and culture-rich holy land of Ayodhya on the banks of Saryu river. The city is closely associated with the Hindu epic Ramayana and is considered the birthplace of Lord Rama.Ayodhya being a sacred religious place has lots to offer to a spiritual
mind. Some of the fairs and festivals famous in Ayodhya are
Shravan Jhoola Mela (July-August) , Parikrama Mela (October-November),
Ram Navmi (March-April), Rathyatra (June-July), Saryu Snan
(October-November), Ram Vivah (November), Ramayan Mela. it. Moreover, Parikrama Fair, Bharat Kund Mela, Rathyatra, Saryu Snan
and Balark Tirth Mela are some of the important fairs and festivals
celebrated there.
Ayodhya hosts various fairs and festivals throughout the year, especially during religious and cultural occasions. Some of the major festivals and fairs celebrated in Ayodhya include:
Ram Navami: This festival marks the birthday of Lord Rama and is celebrated with great enthusiasm. Pilgrims and devotees from various parts of India visit Ayodhya during this time.
Diwali: Ayodhya is particularly famous for its grand celebrations during Diwali, the festival of lights. The entire city is illuminated, and the residents celebrate the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana.
Kartik Purnima: This is a significant Hindu festival celebrated on the full moon day in the month of Kartik. Devotees take a holy dip in the Sarayu River, and various cultural events are organized.
Sharad Poornima Mela: Held during the Sharad Purnima (full moon) in the month of October, this fair attracts a large number of devotees who come to take a dip in the Sarayu River and participate in various cultural activities.
Ram Lila in Ayodhya
Ram lila is a popular play in Uttar Pradesh which depicts the life of Lord Rama. In the town of Lord Rama, this play is given much importance and staged during festivals especially during Vijayadashmi and Rama Navami as it also gains much popularity and attention from the devotees.
The play was first said to be initiated by saint Tulsidas since the Ramcharitmanas, authored by the saint, form the foundation of Ram Lila stage play performances till date. Professional Ram lila state players group is called as Mandalis and the holy city is very popular for Mandali Ram Lila. The Mandali Ram Lila performers' stages high classic Ram Lila play complimented by folk songs and Kathak dance.
The Rama Lila performance evokes a festive atmosphere
and enables observance of religious rites. The four main Ram Lila styles
are the pantomimic style with a predominance of jhankis - tableaux
pageants; the dialogue - based style with multi-local staging; the
operative style which draws its musical elements from the folk operas of
the region and the stage - Ram Lila of the professional troupes called
`mandalis’. Ram lila is presented as a cycle-play with the story varying from 7 to 31 days.
Ram Navami Mela in Ayodhya
Ram Navami marks the birthday of Lord Rama and the home town prepares for grand fairs and melas as the city is visited by thousands of devotees from all round the world. Ram Navami mela, conducted at Kanak Bhawan, is very popular in Ayodhya. The Kanak Bhawan temple is believed to be the wedding gift of Lord Rama and Sita presented by Sita’s mother.Parikramas in Ayodhya
Parikrama means journey surrounding the pathway of shrines and it is very popular in Ayodhya. Parikramas are of different types which vary with the duration of Praikrama travel across shrines. In Ayodhya, Antargrahi Parikrama, Panchkoshi parikrama and Chaturdashkoshi Parikrama are very popular. Devotees on an auspicious day take a holy dip in River Saryu to commence their Parikrama. Antargrahi Parikrama is the shortest among the three that has to be completed in a day; it starts from Nageshwarnath temple and touches Rama Ghat, Sita Kund, Mani Parbat, Brahma kund and gets completes at Kanak Bhawan temple. The Panchkoshi parikrama is a 10 mile journey connecting the holy Ghats and shrines in Ayodhya.
The longest parikrama is the Chaturdashkoshi Parikrama which covers a circular parikrama pathway of about 28 miles and it has to be completed within a day. The Chaturdashkoshi Parikrama is observed only once in a year on Akshainaumi. In all types of Parikrama the devotees pay their honor to all the residing deity in the shrines which are located on the pathway.
Sravan Jhula Mela in Ayodhya
avan Jhula of Ayodhya has got a great importance among fairs of Uttar Pradesh.This fairs begins on the third day of Shukl Paksh of Shravan Maas of Hindu Panchang.
On this auspicious day, the idols of Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshman are highly decorated and placed on swings at their residing shrines. Then the idols are also taken to Mani Prabat which is said to be the broken piece of the mountain carried by Lord Hanuman to Lanka. At Mani Parbat huge swings are tied in trees and the idols are placed on it for the playful spiritual act. At last the idols are brought back to their residing shrines. The mela lasts till the end of the month of Shravan.
During the festival, the idols of Ram and Sita are taken to a swing along with hoards of devotees accompanying it.