Day 1, Lucknow to Ayodhaya
Morning arrival at Lucknow, transfer to Ayodhaya. On arrival at Ayodhaya, check into hotel. Later visit Temples of Ayodhaya.
Rama's epic journey started from Ayodhya, the place where Lord Rama was born. Ayodhya is situated on the southern banks of the river Saryu. At present it is located in the Faizabad district of Uttar Pradesh, India. Dashrath had three wives - Kaushalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra. Sri Ram was born to Kaushalya and Dashrath. After 12 years of marriage of Rama and Sita, King Dashrath decided to make Lord Rama as the crown prince. On the evening of the crowning ceremony, Manthra - a maidservant to Kaikeyi poisoned her ears and reminded her of two boons from Dashrath. Manthara diverted the mind of Kaikeyi and here started the story of Ramayan and it was also the start of the Epic Journey of Rama from Ayodhya to Lanka. Kaikeyi asked Dashrath to exile Rama and Crown his son Bharat. As Dashrath has to fulfil two boons of Kaikeyi, he had no choice though he tried to negotiate with Kaikeyi a lot. With heavy heart, he asked Rama to leave to the wilderness on exile of 14 years. Out of respect and as referred as Maryada Purushottam - Lord Rama agreed on this and left Ayodhya. Sita and Laxman also asked to go with Sri Ram. After they left Ayodhya, they reached to the banks of Ganga. Nishadraj Guha was the ruler of the Nishad kingdom. He ferried the three to the southern bank of Ganga, at Rama's request, in his boat. Overnight in Ayodhaya.
