Dashrath Bhawan – Palace of a Great King

November 13, 2021

Here is a simple guide to the beautiful and significant Dashrath Bhawan in the holy city of Ayodhya.

  • Its original significance: This is the sacred spot that is believed to have been the original royal palace of King Dasharatha, the father of Lord Ram.
  • A divine childhood: It holds a very special place in the hearts of devotees as this is the place where Lord Ram and his three brothers spent their happy and playful childhood.
  • Its present form: Today, it is a beautiful and vibrant temple, with a stunning inner sanctum that houses beautiful idols of Ram, Lakshman, and Sita.
  • The feeling inside: The atmosphere is incredibly lively and filled with devotion, as you can often hear the continuous chanting of sacred hymns, which fills the entire palace with a powerful spiritual energy.

Introduction

Temple Timings: Dashrath Bhawan is open daily from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Entry is free for all devotees.

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Dashrath Bhawan is located right in the heart of Ayodhya. It is thought to have been built in the same location as the original palace of the King, Lord Ram’s father. Lord Ram and his siblings spent their childhood and adolescence in this region. The Bhavan contains a shrine with Shri Ram, Lakshman, and Sita idols. The temple is accessible by a large and colourful entrance. When you visit the temple, you will be swept up in religious fervour.

Sadhus and saints dressed in orange robes continue to recite the dohas and chuapais from the Ramayana and other scriptures, accompanied by musicians. Despite the fact that the Bhavan is much smaller than its original equivalent, where King Dasrath may have lived, it attracts swarms of believers who travel here to witness the spot where Rama was born and spent his formative years.

Located in Uttar Pradesh’s Faizabad district of Ramkot Ayodha in Uttar Pradesh’s Uttar Pradesh state, Dasaratha Mahal is also known as Bada Asthan and Badi Jagah. King Dasaratha, the father of Lord Sri Rama, had Ayodhya as his capital for a period. Here, Sri Rama, together with his three brothers Laxman, Bharath and Shatrughna spent their formative years. A shrine to Lord Ram, his consort Seetha, and his brother Lakshman may be found in the current palace.

The Childhood Home of Lord Ram

It is believed that this palace (also known as Badi Jagah) is the exact spot where Lord Ram and his brothers spent their childhood and where King Dashrath held his court.

It’s not the same structure that stood in Threthayug thousands of years ago. However, historical documents indicate that it was rebuilt on the site of an earlier palace. A large, brightly coloured entrance with a variety of appealing paintings greets guests with a smile. One’s commitment to Lord Rama will be firmly established as soon as one enters the shrine. With so many followers chanting or yelling “Ram Rama,” it’s understandable that one could want to join in with them. Saffron-clad Sadhus and saints will be invoking the name of Lord Rama or performing bhajans in honour of Rama while inside the sacred place.

Highlights of Dashrath Mahal

Divine aspects you must not miss

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The Main Shrine

Houses the idols of Shri Ram, Sita Mata, Lakshman, Bharat, and Shatrughan. Action Button: View Deity Details

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Saffron Entrance

The magnificent, colourful entrance gate showcases ancient Awadhi architecture. Action Button: See Architecture.

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Evening Satsang

The courtyard comes alive with soulful Kirtans and Bhajans by sadhus every evening.

Tulsidas’ or Sage Valmiki’s epic Ramayana will be read by some. It’s not uncommon to see musicians dancing and singing at the same time. Even if you don’t believe in God, a religious setting can inspire you to humbly recite the name of Rama, even if you’re not religious. That’s what I witnessed as I stood in front of Lord Rama.

One should not expect a big palace of the same size as those seen in Mysore or Jaipur because this one, albeit dubbed a palace, is far smaller than the others. It’s not as big as the old royal residence of King Dasaratha, as one might assume. There are a lot of devotees who come here to visit and observe the things within the place where Rama was claimed to have been born in the Ramayana and where he spent his youth and boyhood.

The city of Ayodhya itself has links to Sri Rama, the heroic hero of the Ramayana storey. Everything in Ayodhya is connected to the legendary leader who is regarded as God, the avatar of Lord Vishnu, in one way or another.

In the novel “Imperial Woman” by Pearl S Buck, the word “Palace” conjures images of a great, airy palace where the king and queen lived with their concubines, as well as an army of servants, soldiers, and Khojas (transgender people).

When you enter the gate, you won’t see the palace as a whole, let alone all of the things detailed in the tale. As far as one can tell, it is a temple displaying the sons of Dasaratha in the form of prominent deities. Even in terms of size, it’s a small shrine. When one senses the presence of Lord Rama, they spontaneously fold their hands in front of the idol of Lord Sri Rama without even realising they are doing so. When people are at this palace temple, they had an astonishing experience among these shrines.

Ayodhya has long been known as a place of spiritual happiness and release, both historically and today. Archaeological shrines that have never been found in the country are among the most important. For Hindus, this shrine and pilgrimage centre is a must-see destination. Even if you’re just there for a few days as a tourist, you’ll find it fascinating and delightful.

The temples in the Dasaratha Bhavan can be visited by non-Hindus, as long as they have the proper credentials. Everyone is welcome here. If you don’t believe in divine ecstasy, then why not go out and enjoy the natural beauty as well? Wishing you the best of luck on your Ayodhya journey.

These include Ram Vivah, Deepawali, Shravan Mela, Chaitra Ramnavami, and Kartik Mela, among others. Thousands of worshippers descend on this site on these auspicious occasions.

Explore the Ramayana Circuit

Visit Dashrath Bhawan, Ram Janmabhoomi, and Kanak Bhawan with our experienced local guides. Our Ayodhya Spiritual Tour ensures you hear the hidden stories behind every temple.

Starting from 18,000/-INR per person
  • Accommodation in well-appointed hotels with comfortable amenities.
  • Daily breakfast and dinner included.
  • Enjoy the charm of these cities through traditional transportation.
  • Enjoy a well-planned itinerary with flexibility for personal exploration.

On any given day, you can visit between the hours of 8 am and 12 noon, as well as 4 pm and 10 pm, to see what it’s all about.

Located just 6 kilometres from Faizabad, Ayodhya is just 135 kilometres from Lucknow, and 190 kilometres from Varanasi. Lucknow International Airport is the closest. At Faizabad Junction, Ayodhya has a railway station. Hundreds of thousands of people come here every year. Thousands of people, Hindus, Muslims, and others, travel here daily for a variety of reasons, including pilgrimage or simply for the experience. Hotels and restaurants abound. As a result, there is no need to bother about food or lodging.

Visiting Dashrath Bhawan

Helpful tips for pilgrims

How far is Dashrath Bhawan from Ram Janmabhoomi?

It is located in the heart of Ramkot, just about 500 meters to 1 km away from the Ram Janmabhoomi complex and Hanuman Garhi.

Is photography allowed inside the temple?

Photography is generally permitted in the courtyard and outer areas, but may be restricted near the main idols. Please check with the temple priest.

Are there monkeys around the temple area?

Yes, like much of Ayodhya, there are monkeys in the area. Pilgrims are advised to keep food items and spectacles hidden while walking.

Which festivals are celebrated here grandly?

Ram Vivah, Ram Navami, and Deepotsav are celebrated with great pomp, and the temple is decorated beautifully with lights and flowers.