Significance
Ayodhya (About this sound listen (help·info); IAST Ayodhya), also known as Saketa, is an ancient city of India, believed to be the birthplace of Rama and setting of the epic Ramayana. It is adjacent to Faizabad city in the central region of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Ayodhya used to be the capital of the ancient Kosala Kingdom. It has an average elevation of 93 meters (305 feet).
Owing to the belief as the birthplace of Rama, Ayodhya (Awadh) has been regarded as one of the seven most important pilgrimage sites (Saptapuri) for Hindus. It is believed that the birth spot of Rama was marked by a temple, which was demolished by the orders of the Mughal emperor Babur and a mosque erected in its place. The Ayodhya dispute concerns the activism by the Hindu groups to rebuild a Rama's temple at the site.
History
Ayodhya is the place where Lord Sri Ram was born and ruled for many years (after killing Ravana). There was an existing temple built in this city, proofs of which have been found during ASI excavation. More than the physical temple and exact spot, the important point is the association of this city (town) with Lord Sri Rama, the most important incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
Legend
Ayodhya is situated on the correct bank of the stream Sarayu, 6 km from Faizabad. This town is nearly connected with Rama, Seventh incarnation of Vishnu. As per the Ramayana, the city is 9,000 years of age, and was established by Manu, the main man in the Vedas, and law-provider of the Hindus. Different sources hold that it was established by its namesake, King Ayudh. For a considerable length of time, it was the capital for the Surya tradition, of which Lord Rama was the most commended ruler. At the time it was known as Kaushaldesa.
Skanda and different puranas list Ayodhya as one of the seven most consecrated urban communities of India, as it has been the scenery for quite a bit of Hindu sacred text. Today it is overwhelmingly a religious goal with its recorded noteworthiness and sacrosanct sanctuaries. The Atharvaveda portrayed Ayodhya as a city worked by God and being prosperous as heaven itself.
Its initially administering ruler was Ikshvaku, of the sun oriented family Suryavamsa and eldest child of Vaivasvata Manu. The 6th lord of this line, Prithu, is phonetically the derivation of earth, or `Prithivi'. Mandhatri was a later ruler of the district, and the 31st lord of his plunge was Harischandra, known for his honesty, or Sathya-sandhata. His lineeage was Surya Vamsa and, thusly referred to for their trustworthiness as rulers. Raja Sagar of a similar tribe played out the Asvamedha Yajna, and folklore holds that his incredible grandson Bhagiratha conveyed the waterway Ganges to the earth through repentance. Later came the colossal King Raghu, after whom the line was called Raghuvamsa. His grandson was Raja Dasaratha, of the Kausala administration, and father of Rama.
Ayodhya is a city of love. A few religions have flourished at the same time and additionally at various timeframes, and components of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Islam can be found in the city.