On my Visit to Nandigram, Ayodhya

              

Nandigram

                                     

Bharat Hanuman Milap Mandir

                                         

Bharat Milap Mandir

                                           

Bharat in Bharat Hanuman mandir

                           

Nandishwar Mahadev

                                       

Bharat Kund

                                  

Bharat Gufa

                            

Gaya Kup

                                 

Nandigram in ancient times was known as Bharat Kund. Nandi installed a Shiva Linga which is known as Nandishwar Mahadeva and did penance to obtain Shiva’s grace and became Shiva’s Vahan or mount. He requested Shiva to reside there and hence this place is called Nandigram. Having darshan of Nandishwar Mahadev gives success.

 

Nandigram is nearly 15 kms south of Ayodhya and close to Tamasa River where many sages lived.  During the exile of Ram, Bharat ruled his kingdom from this place. He placed Ram’s wooden sandals on the throne to represent Lord Ram’s rightful rule. When Ram declined to return to Ayodhya, Bharat carried Ram’s sandals to Nandigram and ruled on Ram’s behalf. Like Ram and Lakshman, he too matted his hair and lived like an ascetic wearing simple clothes and sleeping on a bed of husk.

There are many sacred temples here. In Bharat Hanuman Milan Mandir, one can see the idols of Bharath embracing Hanuman. There is also a small idol of Hanuman. When Hanuman was returning to Lanka with Sanjeevani Mountain, his huge body cast a shadow on the entire city. Thinking that a demon was approaching, Bharat shot an arrow which made Hanuman unconscious. Regaining consciousness Hauman narrated all the incidents to Bharata. Bharat felt sorry for causing the obstacles. Hanuman met Bharat for the second time when he was sent by Ram in advance to convey about his victory and his return.

 

Another sacred place is Bharat Kund where Bharat used to bathe every day for fourteen years. According to Skanda Purana, doing tarpan to ancestors here cleanses a person of all sins and gives liberation. Bharat collected the waters of 27 rivers from Chitrakoot and stored them in a well, Bharat Kup, which is located near two Vata Vrikshams or Banyan trees. The devotees are given this sacred water by the priest to drink here. There is an underground cave called Bharat Gufa where Bharat used to stay and meditate and rule the kingdom for fourteen years.

 

In Gaya Ghat, devotees do Pitru Tarpan before they do Tarpana in actual Gaya. In Jata Kund, Rama and Lakshman removed their long-grown hair after returning from Lanka. In Bharat mandir Rama’s padukas are seen on a throne and Bharata used to sleep on the floor.  According to Puranas, visiting Nandigram gives the same merit as visiting Kashi. All devotees coming to Ayodhya should not miss visiting this holy place where one can see many relics of Rama’s journey and other characters.

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 18th April 2025                               Somaseshu Gutala