1. Ayodhya:
   
   
   This is one of 108 Divya Desam. Birth place of Lord Sri Rama.
   
   
   
   Ayodhya is situated on the bank of River Sarayu. This place is 7 kms from Faizabad. This is a popular pilgrimage centre. The ancient city of Ayodhya according to Ramayana was founded by Manu. This is one of the seven sacred cities
   
   
   
   According to Purana. Ayodha is famous for its close association of Ramayana. It’s a city full of sacred temples and historical significance. Atharvana Veda describes Ayodhya as “a city built by Gods and being prosperous as Paradise itself”. Various faiths have grown and prospered simultaneously in different periods. Jains consider that 5 tirthankars were born in Ayodhya and the first Tirthankar Rishabadev is one amoung them.
   
   
   
   
2. River Sarayu:
   
   
   
   The River was full of water and water flow was wild. We did enjoy the dip in the river. Some sort of arrangements is made for changing dress. There is lot of cows with panda’s standing there to do the godhan pooja for pilgrims.
   
   
   
   
3. Hanuman Gadi
   
   
   
   
   
   
   This is temple of Hanuman and it is most popular temple of Ayodhya. The temple is in center of the town. One has to climb about 70 steps to reach the main sanctum. The main temple there is statue of Anjana Devi with Bal Hanuman on lap. Legend says Hanuman stays here and guarded the Ramkot. The faithful belief is that all the wishes are granted with a visit to the temple.
   
   
   
   
4. Kanaka Bhavan:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   This is the palace of Sri Rama. We climb few steps and enter into a big hall. Here we get to have darshan of Rama’s Paduka. This was the place from where Rama climbed into the chariot, to leave Ayodhya for vanavasam
   
   
   
   There is another mandapam in which we have the main sanctum. Here we see Sita, Rama, and Lakshmana. There are two sets of idols we see here, one is the main idol and the other was worshipped by Sri Krishna. This is the place where Rama and Janaki matha lived. Main deity is decorated so well we hardly feel like leaving the place.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Sri Ram Janma Bhoomi
   This is the main place of worship in Ayodhya. This is the site of the ancient citadel of Ramkot which stands on the elevated ground in the western part of the city. Lot of checking is there. We are not allowed to take anything inside. One has to walk a lot to reach the main place. They have kept the idol of Seetha Sri Rama and Lakshmana. It is so far we hardly get to see clearly and has to imagine and feel happy. We have the darshan of Hanuman to the side
   
   
   
6. Janma Bhoomi Karyalaya:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   This is the place where the work is going on for the construction of Sri Rama mandir. There is a model of the temple is exhibited. Pillars with carvings, designed ceiling material, doors and all the designed stones to the sides of the walls are ready. They intend erecting the temple with these ready materials by year 2013.

Allahabad


This place is about 135 KMS from varanasi.
Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati, blessed by gods, came to be known as 'Prayag' or 'Allahabad'. Foreseeing the sanctity of the place, Lord Brahma also called it as 'Tirth Raj' or 'King of all pilgrimage centres.' The Scriptures - Vedas and the great epics - Ramayana and Mahabharata, refer to this place as Prayag.

1. Thriveni sangamam
   
   
   
   
   
   
   The sacred Sangam, is the confluence of three of the holiest rivers in Hindu mythology Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. At the Sangam, the waters of the Ganges and the Yamuna can be distinctly seen to merge into one. Once in 12 years Kumba mela takes place attracting people from all over the country.
   
   
   
   
2. Hanuman Mandir
   
   
   The temple is in kila ghat, near the Sangam.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   This temple is unique in North India. Here the 20’ big idol of Lord Hanuman is seen in a reclining posture. When the Ganga is in spate, this temple gets submerged.
   
   
   
   
3. Sankar Viman Mandapam
   
   
   
   The mandapam is 130 feet high with three floors. Near the entrance gate we see the idols of Kumarila Bhattar and Jagatguru Shankaracharya, meeting and to the other side, discussion between Mandana misrar and Adi sankarar.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   As you enter the temple we see Kamakshi Deviin sitting posture (with 51 Shaktipeethas around). On the outer wall of Kamakshi sanctum, we see Panchamukha gayathri, Moogmbikai, Durgai, Vindhyavasini , Ganga matha and saraswathy Tapas Kamakshi sculptures and paintings of life history of Adi sankarar.
   
   
   
   In the second floor Vishnu as balaji and veni Madhavar in front of him. We see 108 saligrahma in the sanctum. As we go around we can see the sculptures of Narashimar, Vamana etc. All around the wall beautiful paintings from Ramayana is seen.
   
   
   
   In the third floor Yoga sahastra Linga is seen made of one single stone. We can see 1008 small lingas in one big lingam which weighs 10 tones. There is a Rudrakshra mandapam for sahasra lingam in the sanctum. In this floor around the sanctum we see Dwadasa Lingam Pichadanar, Somaskandar, Dandayudhapani, Ardhanreeswarar, sankara Narayanar idols, and Siva leela paintings to the walls.
   
   
   
   The temple doors are made of sandal wood with beautiful carvings. As we come outside we have the darshan of Sowbaghya Ganapathy.
   
   
   
4. Akshyavat:
   
   
   The immortal tree within the Patalauri temple, has found mention in the description of several ancient scriptures, writers and historians. The tree stands in a deep niche above an underground shaft, which is said to lead to Triveni.We are not allowed inside, so we did not visit the place.

From Varanasi we went to Vindhyachal, sakthi peetam.

1. This place Vindhychal is about 60 kms from Varnasi and 8 kms from Mirzapur. Its on the rail road of Allahabad to Mogalsarai. There is a station by vindhyachal and also Mirzapur.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   This is one of the sakthi peetam and goddess if known as Vindhyavasini. Sathi devi's left Leg thumb fell here and it is considered as one of the sakthi peetam.
   
   
   Goddess Durga after having killed demon Mahishasura etablished herself here. In later years she defeated Sumba and Nisumba.
   
   
   
2. Sitakund
   
   This is one of the popular attractions at Vindhyachal. It is said that when Sri Ram, Sita and Lakshman were returning home after their exile, Sita became very thirsty at this place. Since water was not easily available, Lakshman pierced an arrow and immediately a fountain of water came out.
   
   
   In memory of Ram, Sita and Lakshman and Goddess Durga a temple was constructed. One can quench their thirst here at the Sitakund. After climbing 48 steps to the Sita Kund the track leads to another low hillock, where the AshtabhujaTempleis situated.
   
   
   
3. Ashtabuja
   This is supposed to be the main sakthi peetam.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   As purana says she is supposed to be Maha maya Kali whom Kamsa lifted up thinking that it was Devki's 8 th child.
   
   
   Near Ashtabhuja temple, there is another cave temple with a narrow path. The cave roof is so low and the passsage is too narrow, one has to bow down and enter into in single row, to have a glimpse of the Goddess Kali.
   We see bairavar to the side near by.
   
   
   Besides these temples there are many more temples at Vindhyachal. In Ramgaya there is one more Jagadamba ashtabuja devi temple, and Ramanadhar temple. This place is aboout 3 kilometer away from vindhyavasini temple There are also the Brahmakund and Agastyakund whose waters are very sacred and it is believed that bathing in these water can relieve one from their sins. Besides, there is also an Ashram of Anandamayee Ma.
   
   
   
4. Mirzapur temples
   
   
   Budhenath temple
   
   The temple is in Mirzapur town. This is Siva temple and the main deity is known as Bhudeswar. We see Bairvar near the entrance of the temple.
   
   
   
5. Thadakeswaranath temple
   
   
   
   
   
   The temple is near district court of Mirzapur town. Main deity is Thadakeswarar in Linga form.

Kasi being the oldest city of the world This is an importnt piligrimage center, it attracts large number of people from all over the world.

Varnasi is famous for Hinduism, spirtualism, mysticism and Indian Philosophy. These are reflected in temples ashrams, ghats and numerous sects.


Kasi town is full of narrow lanes, and without a guide it is not possible to visit the temples. The temples look like a house and the lanes are too confusing.

Kasi is very old town with lot of temples. Visiting all the temples is not possible in short stay. I am giving information about the temples which we visited.


Invaders destroyed the old Viswanadhar temple, and the present Viswanadhar temple was constructed by Queen Ahalyabai Holkar of Indore in the year 1776.


Once again Aurangzeb destroyed the temple to replace it with gayanvapi mosque. However, one can see the remnants of the temple in the intricate and fine artwork of the western wall of the Mosque.


Viswanadhar temple and the gyanvapi Mosque are adjacent to each other. The temple is in a narrow lane. Lot of security measures is taken and we cannot take anything inside the temple. Shopkeepers are taking care of your belongings.

1. Viswanadhar temple is one of the Jyothir Lingam.
   
   
   The temple is like a mandapam with four side’s door.
   
   
   Main deity Viswanadhar is to a side in this hall. Reason for this is as per Akashvani information they were asked to keep camphor in the main mandapam and it would light on its own and the main deity was supposed to be installed in that place. From outside the temple looks like a house and the gopuram (sikaram), can be viewed only from inside.
   
   
   The main gopuram was gold plated by Maharaja Ranjeet sing.
   First we come across, darshan of Dundi Vinayakar. There are about eight Vinayakar around the temple out of which he is important.
   
   
   Viswandhar Lingam is smooth black stone seated in a silver plinth. We have darshan of Avimuktheswar, Bhavani, subramanyar, and Mahakal {Bairavar}.
2. Visalakshi temple
   
   The temple is in different place. The goddess is seen in sitting posture.
   
   
   Annaporna Devi temple is of marble stones. Here Goddess Annapurna
   has a container and in another hand she has Agappai {spoon}.
   
   We see Srichakkra Meru yantram in front of Annapoorani Devi installed by Adi Sankarar.
   
   We see Bikshadanar in silver near her. To either sides of Annapoorani we see Sridevi and Bhoodevi. The center mandapam is in octogen shape.
   
   In front of Annapoorani we have the darshan of Sri Sathya Narayanar.
   
   
   Golden Annapoorani darshan is only for three days during Deevali festival. There are two main entrances known as Dharma Dwaram and Biksha Dwaram.
   

1. Vyasa Kasi (Ram Nagar)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   The temple is to the other bank of the river. Here we visit Palace, Vyaseswarar temple, Vyasar, Sukar and Vyaseswarar in linga form. We have the darshan of Rameswarar on our way to Vyaseswarar temple. All these are inside the palace premises.
   
   
   We reach the temple by passing through subway {Cave} like thing. We see surya chakra as we get down from vysar and sukar temple
   
   
   
2. North Durgai Amman temple:
   
   
   The temple is a kilometer away from the palace. This area is known as Vyasa kasi. The temple dates back to 8th century. It is built in Nagara style and its one of the most important temple of the city.
   
   
   The “Sikara” of the temple consists of several small spires layered one above the other. "Sri Chakkra" is installed in the main sanctum. She is known as Shima Vahini, and also as Jagadatri.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   In front of main sanctum we see Lion sculpture facing goddess.
   
   
   We see small temple for Chinnamastha (one form of sakthi) in the temple compound. This is marble idol. Even here we had our darshan through grill and it was dark. We had darshan with torch light.
   
   
   On the day we went there there was RathYatra of goddess.

We are glad to share our travel trip to Varanasi, Mirzapur, Allahabad, Ayodhya, Nemisaranyam and Lucknow.


Inspite of certain difficulties we had to face, we did enjoy our trip and it was a memorable one. The trip was for ten days including train travel. All arrangements were done only by phone calls, so there were problems in communication about taxi rates. They do not disclose everything and take it for granted that we are aware of it. This was the first time we faced such problem.


I feel south is much better in many things than north. Their taxi driver are not ready to show the places which you ask for, instead he decides for you, and say those are the places visited by pilgrims normally. This was major problem in going around the places of our choice. We were able to see just 60% of our choice.


Taxi or auto is not the mode of transport recommended for Kasi, since the lanes are narrow; always one has to walk a lot to reach the temples. I will try to give hints about the places which we missed, along with the one which we visited, so that it can help someone who goes through the information about our trip.

1. Varnasi:
   
   
   We did minimum rituals in Ganges shore after a dip in Ganges. The prohit arranged for a boat to travel from one end to the other end of Varnasi shore.
   
   
   The great river banks at Varanasi, is built high with eighteenth and nineteenth-century pavilions and palaces, temples and terraces, are lined with an endless chain of stone steps. We got down from the boat in certain ghats and the rest we saw only from the boat.
   
   
   
   
2. Ghats
   
   
   The five important ghats are Asi ganga Ghat, Dasaswameda ghat, Adi kesava ghat Pancha ganga ghat, and Manikarnika ghat.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   At every point one has to climb atleast 50 steps we had to go up and pass through small lanes to reach the temple. We took the boat from Kedar ghat.
   
   
   
3. Kedar Ghat
   
   
   We had darshan of Kedareeswarar in this ghat. The temple is in South Indian style. We see Nalwar sculpture on the temple walls. The shiva lingam was huge one.
   
   
   
4. Thirupura Bairavi Ghat:
   
   
   Here in this ghat we have varahi temple to visit. The temple is opened from 4 am and it is closed by 7am before sun rise. Here she is known as pdala varahi.
   
   
   Goddess Varahi is in basement room and no one is allowed inside other than poojari. We have a room to ground level and here there is a small opening just to peep through to have Pada darshan of varahi amman.
   
   
   There is one more hole from where you can see a portion of Goddess varahi. The distance from where we look down to see varahi is about 10’feet from ground level.
   
   
   
5. Bindu Madhavar ghat:
   
   
   
   We have Bhindu Madhavar temple here in this ghat. This is one of the panchava madhava kshetram. The main deity Bhindu madhavar with four hands is of saligrahma stone. They say the yatra completes only after a visit to the temple.
   
   
   
6. Hanuman ghat:
   
   
   
   Kanchi Kamakoti Sankara math, with patasala is on this ghat.
   
   
   Kamakshi temple is near by. The temple was constructed as acharaya wanted it.
   
   Main deity is Kamakoteswarar, and goddess Kamakoti devi. Siva linga is of saligrahama stone. The sculpture of goddess kamakoti devi is of green stone, Ganesha and Soorya dev are of red stone. In the temple we see pallikonda sivan also. The gopuram is of south Indian style. We see different forms of Lord Siva as we go around the main sanctum.
   
   
   
7. Sindhya ghat :
   
   
   we have a Dattatreyar temple. We see padam of Dattatreyar
   
   
   
8. Ghya ghat:
   
   
   Swamy Narayan temple is seen in this ghat.
   
   
   
9. Mani karnica ghat: There is a small vishnu shrine and Padhuka of marble stone on the embankment of the ghat. chakkra teertham is there wich we cannot see.
   
   
   
   
10. Pancha ganga Ghat:
    
    
    
    Important for pinda pradhanam. {ritual}
    
    
    
    
11. Adi kesava ghat :
    
    
    
    This is the place where vishnu landed first as an emissery of and stands on the original site of the city before it spreads southwards. It is to the outskirts of city. Here River Orna mees with River ganges and sangamam takes place.