Temples In India

Punjab Ram Tirth

The temple complex consists of hut devoted for Mata Sita where two sons of Lord Rama and Mata Sita were born. They were named as Luv and Kush. The temple also has the cloister where Maharishi Valmiki used to devote his time. There is also a well in the temple that has stairs and it is considered that this is the well where Mata Sita used to bathe. The devotees consider it sacred to take a dip in this well on the morning of Puranmashi.  A pictorial tribute to the epic of Ramayana is depicted in the premises of the temple. The practice of Parikrama is considered auspicious along the path of the well. The place has also been narrated in the epic of Ramayana. Maharishi Valmiki provided the shelter to Mata Sita after Lord Rama secluded her. Both the son of Lord Rama; Luv and Kush got their training from Maharishi Valmiki. Both Luv and Kush were considered to be genius in the entire spheres; religious, social or academic. The festival of Ram Tirth is celebrated in November. This day is celebrated on a full moon day and goes for a total of four days.

The manuscripts of Ramayana were also written by Maharishi Valmiki in this ashram. Ram Tirth still houses the hut where Maharishi Valmiki used to stay.

Huge celebrations are done in the premises of the temple for duration of fortnight after the festival of Diwali and these celebrations last for five days.

The floating tullas are considered as major attraction of the festival. In the Puranmashi night the Hindu women make a lamp of kneaded floor and fill them with the pure ghee or the mustard oil and then the lighted lamps are placed on plates made of leaves and then they are made to float in the sacred tank and the women recite the hymns and prayers all during this procession. This occasion of tullatoarna is considered to be auspicious to get rid of the sins and it is believed that devotees please the Lord Rama by practicing these rites.

The belief is that Luv and Kush confronted the horse named Ashwamedha. They were not aware of the fact that the horse had been sent by Lord Rama their father. The brothers of Lord Rama were defeated by Luv and Kush in this war. Luv and Kush were then challenged by Sri Hanuman but he too was defeated and Luv and Kush succeeded in tying him to the Banyan tree.

Since then the Banyan tree is considered to be sacred and the couple come here and tie the sacred thread in the tree and pray it to fulfill their dreams and wishes. Most of the married couple believes that by tying the sacred thread on the tree they would be blessed with a male child. The complex also has a temple dedicated to Hanuman.

The ashram of Valmiki is located very near to the “Pool of Nectar”. The ashram in the ancient times was situated among the thick forest. Other that the Ram tirth tank that is considered to be sacred there are few other tanks located near to ashram that are also considered to be sacred and few of them are Ramsar, Santokhsar, Ram Talai and Durgiana.

The other belief is that the visit of the devotees to this place is considered to be incomplete if the devotees don’t offer contributions to the beggars, lepers or any crippled people. The offerings to these people can be done in form of money, clothes and food.

The timings to visit the temple are from early morning 6’o clock to late in the evening till 9’o clock.

Weather and Time to Visit

The climatic conditions of the city of Amritsar are extreme be it summers or winters. The most favorable time to visit the city is in the months from October to March considering the climatic conditions.

How to Reach

By Rail

The rail line closest to Amritsar is the Amritsar rail line that is very well connected to the major cities and states of India.

By Air

The nearest airport to reach Amritsar is Raja Sani International Airport in Amritsar that has flights coming from both the domestic and international destinations.

By Road

Both the state owned and private transporters buses ply to the city of Amritsar.

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