A journey through Sri Ram's footprints?IV

17. RAMESHWAR NATH

It is believed that after killing Tadaka, Sri Ram was feeling guilty because nobody in his dynasty had ever killed any woman. Then he worshipped Lord Shiva and there is a temple called Rameshwar Nath where Sri Ram had worshipped. This place is near Ram Rekha Ghat.

18. GAUTAM ASHRAM

Three kilometres to the east of Buxar there is a village called Ahroli. Ahroli is slang for Ahilya. It is believed that Sri Ram freed Ahilyaji here from a curse. According to Sri Ramcharitamanas, Sri Ram freed her just after Siddha Ashram, i.e., before crossing the Ganga and Sonbhadra rivers. According to Saint Tulsi Das, this is the place where Sri Ram freed Ahilyaji.

19. PAREV

Parev is upbhransh of Parav. It is said that Sri Ram, Laxman and Vishvamittra took a night halt here. Nearby there is Mohaneshwar Mahadev temple. Some People crossed the Sonbhadra river from Trigna Ghat. There is a difference of about 5 k.m. between both the places.

20. RAMCHAURA MANDIR

According to the Valmiki Ramayan, all three crossed the Ganga and spent one night in Vishala Nagari. This place is situated in Vaishali district on the banks of river Ganga. It is believed that Sri Ram took bath here and crossed the Ganga from this place. In Bhojpuri dialect chaura means park or garden. There could have been a park here in olden times in the name of Sri Ram.

21. AHILYA ASHRAM

According to the Valmiki Ramayan, the ashram of Gautam Muni was in a garden in Janakhur where Ahilya was living like a stone. This place is famous due to Ahilya. There was a tapovan (place of asceticism). Even today there are ashrams of rishis on all the four sides. There are ashrams of Yagyvalk (Jagvan), Shringi (Singia), Bhrangi (Bhairva) and Gautam. Even today this temple is considered to be very sacred and people come to seek the blessings of mother Ahilya before starting any new work. This place is about 25 kilometres to the north-east of Darbhanga.

22. VISHVAMITTRA ASHRAM

Accroding to the Valmiki Ramayan after reaching Janakpur they stayed at Janak garden. Even now there is a ashram of Vishvamittra at this place.

(To be continued)

(The author is a research scholar and has done research on Sri Ram. He can be contacted at Sri Ram Sanskritik Shodh Sansthan Nyas, B-945, MIG Flats, Chitrakoot, East Loni Road, Delhi-110 093.)