Nandigram or Nandi Gaon is a small village positioned on the outskirts of Ayodhya metropolis. Even right this moment it’s outdoors the town limits. That is the place the place Bharat, the youthful brother of Sri Ram lived for 14 years when Sri Ram was in exile.
After Bharat learnt that Sri ram needed to be in exile as a result of his mom Kaikayee needed him to be king. This led to the deep regret in him. He refused to rule and let the Padukas of Sri Ram grace the throne of Ayodhya. He was only a caretaker of the dominion, until Sri Ram returned.
Like Sri Ram and Lakshman lived in forest with matted hair, sporting easy garments and sleeping on mattress of husk, so did Bharat at Nandigram.
Etymology of Nandigram
The story goes that Nandi, whom we higher know because the car of Shiva, as soon as did a extreme penance at this place. Shiva happy with him, made him his chief Gana. He additionally requested him to ask for a boon. Like a real Bhakta, Nandi solely wished that each wished requested right here must be fulfilled. Shiva granted the want.
Nandi established a Shivalinga right here that’s now referred to as Nandishwar Mahadev. That is how this village acquired the title – Nandigram, the village of Nandi.
Visiting Nandigram close to Ayodhya
I used to be in Ayodhya to review the town as outlined within the Ayodhya Mahatmya of Skanda Puran. So, visiting Nandigram was part of my plan.
Nandigram is about 15 km south the town of Ayodhya. It falls on the Ram Van Gaman Marg or the trail by means of which Sri Ram went to the forest for his 14-year exile.
It’s near the Tamasa river that had many Rishi Ashrams on its banks. Now this river is kind of dry. Ayodhya Mahatmya has pretty description of this space stuffed with timber, vegetation and birds.
Gaya Koop
As you step into Nandigram, the primary place you see is Gaya Koop.
That is an historic properly the place the pind dana for the ancestors is carried out. Actually, I used to be visiting it throughout Pitri Paksha and noticed many individuals performing these rites right here.
Ayodhya Mahatmya mentions that doing rituals for ancestors right here relieves them from Naraka and lets them get pleasure from Swarga. Somvati Amavasya or the brand new moon that falls on a Monday or any Monday is believed to be particularly auspicious for these rituals.
Bharat Kund
It is a pond positioned near Gaya Koop. You may see the ghats on it as you stroll by it. A board right here tells {that a} each day Arti is carried out right here at Bharat Kund each night. I didn’t witness it so can’t be positive if it certainly takes place each day.
It’s mentioned that Bharat took bathtub on this very Kund for fourteen years of exile.
Bharat Mandir
There are just a few temples, every of which claims to be the place the place Bharat lived for 14 years. All of them present the Khadau or the footwear of Sri Ram adorning the throne whereas Bharat sleeps on the ground.
We might by no means know which one in all these is actual. All we are able to say based mostly on Ramayana is that Bharat lived right here on this space, outdoors the town limits of Ayodhya. It should have been a Vana or a forest then.
A small construction referred to as Bharat Gufa takes you little beneath the bottom. It’s believed to be the place the place Bharat carried out Tapa for 14 years.
At one in all these temples, I noticed the Bharat Arti written on the partitions. Solely at Nandigram are you able to see this.
Ram Janaki Mandir
Wherever in Ayodhya or in Awadh you’ll discover a Ram Janaki temple, so how can Nandigram be an exception. Certain sufficient, there’s a small however stunning temple od Sri Ram and Janaki.
Near it’s a small Shiva temple.
Beneath a tree is a small Hanuman temple together with a even smaller Vasishth temple.
Bharat Milap
Bharat Milap in Nandigram refers to not the famed assembly of Sri Ram and Bharat. Right here it refers back to the two conferences that Bharat and Hanuman had.
First assembly occurred when Hanuman was flying again carrying part of Dronagiri mountain for Sanjeevani Booti to Sri Lanka for Lakshman. That is when Bharat noticed him, he stopped and knowledgeable him of his purpose to fly with the mountain.
Second time, in fact, Hanuman ji got here to announce the return of Sri Ram, Sita, and Lakshman from Sri Lanka.
The embrace of Bharat and Hanuman could be seen within the temples right here celebrating these moments.
There’s one other small temple that additionally celebrates Ram-Bharat Milan.
Rishi Mandavya Ashram
This place can also be believed to be the Tapasthali or the ashram of Rishi Mandavya. His Murti could be seen and you’ll merely assume that he carried out Tapa someplace round this place.
Bharat Koop at Nandigram
Shut Rishi Mandavya Ashram is an historic properly referred to as Bharat Koop. It’s believed that the water of this properly has the water from 26 outstanding Tirthas of India. They have been introduced right here by Bharat when he returned from Sringaverpur after assembly Sri Ram.
Monks right here inform us that the water of this properly certainly by no means goes dangerous, identical to the water of Ganga.
Jata Kund
Jata Kund is positioned about 2-3 kms away from Nandigram. It is a pretty big kund that we needed to attain by passing by means of fields.
Jata Kund will get its title from the truth that Sri Ram, Lakshman and Bharat gave up their Jata or matted hair right here earlier than getting into Ayodhya after return from the forest. It’s like leaving the forest apparel and adorning the methods of city earlier than getting into the town. They gave up their Valkala or jungle garments and wore the high quality garments match for the royal household.
Across the Jata Kund, I discovered stays of an historic stone temple. There have been damaged stone Murtis. I couldn’t collect a lot about them besides that temples stood right here in historic occasions.
Pischachmochan Kund
Skand Puran tells us that taking bathtub on this Kund won’t ever let any Pishachas or evil spirits come near you.
Different legends point out that Sri Ram and Lakshman took bathtub on this kund earlier than getting into Ayodhya on their return from Sri Lanka.
Putra Kamyeshti Yagna Sthan
On the way in which again to Ayodhya, we stopped at an previous temple the place it’s believed Dashrath carried out the Putra Kamyeshti Yagna. Bear in mind in the beginning of the Ramayana story Dashratha perfomed a Yagna to beget sons.
You may see a temple with 4 pair of footprints in marble. These are clearly not too previous. Nevertheless, they mark the place of an vital Yagna in Ramayana. Royal image of dual fishes could be seen on the temple partitions.
In a home positioned near this temple, I discovered essentially the most stunning life measurement Murti of Kaushalya feeding Ram Lalla.
Bilvahari Temple
Skanda Puran mentions 5 Hari Murtis in Ayodhya. Different literature and folklore point out seven of them. Considered one of these Hari Murtis is Bilvahari Murti. It was right here. A small temple in pink and yellow marks this place.
There’s a pretty Yagnashala near this small temple.
Journey Suggestions for Nandigram Ayodhya
You may simply do it as a detour from Ayodhya.
Closest Railway station is Bharatkund Railway station.
2-4 hours are sufficient to discover Nandigram and environment, relying in your curiosity.
There are not any eating places or different services for vacationers, so plan accordingly.
It’s best to remain in Ayodhya to go to Nandigram.
