Mani Parvat in Ayodhya is a divine hill made from gems originally that were brought from Janakpur following the marriage of Lord Rama and His four brothers Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna. The word ‘Mani’ implies gem. This place is also known as the lila sthali of Sita Devi. In the Skanda Purana, Mani Parvat is glorified as the Maharatna Tirtha and recommends to take bath in this holy place which will accrue immense spiritual benefits.
Located in the Kami Ganj area of Ayodha in Uttar Pradesh (India), it was one of the 148 holy places of Ayodhya which were marked by Edward (Tirth Vivechani) in 1902 with the appropriate signage and stones so that they could be protected in the future too. Mani Parvat is quite close to the well-known Sita Kunda.
A few temples adorn the Mani Parvat, some of them being in a dilapidated condition. Recently, the Archaeological Survey of India started a beautification drive here beginning with the steps leading up the hill. Mirzapur Red stones are being used to rebuild the steps. The sacred Tilodaki Ganga river flows nearby.
The appearance of Mani Parvat in Ayodhya
The Mani Parvat which is a small hillock is very peculiar to the natural topography of Ayodhya. It appears as though this hill has been placed in Ayodhya from somwhere else. It is indeed true. The appearance of Mani Parvat is a very interesting lila. This has been narrated in the Rudrayamal and the Satyopaakhyan Ramayana.
When Lord Rama and His brothers got married at Janakpur in the swayamwara ceremony, Queen Kaikeyi became stubborn that a gold palace should be constructed soon for Lord Ramachandra and His newly wedded wife. King Dasharatha summoned Vishwakarma, the celestial architect and got a gold palace constructed in a very short time.
Queen Kaikeyi gifted this gold palace to Sita Devi when She arrived in Ayodhya post Her marriage with Lord Rama. This palace is famously known as Kanak Bhavan. The Queen gifted Lord Rama the gems she obtained from Indrani, the consort of Indra. Lord Rama gave these gems to His brothers. Firstly, they went to Bharata who in turn gave them to Lakshmana and Lakshmana gave them to Shatrughna.
As his brothers never used these gems, Shatrughna felt that he too shouldn’t be using them and hence, he surrendered these gems at the lotus feet of Sita Devi. Sita Devi came to know that Lord Rama didn’t use them as He could not string them together. Showing the gems to King Dasharatha, Queen Kaikeyi said that King Janaka had given his daughters in marriage to their four sons; hence the king should get the gems strung together.
Later, due to the blessings of Sita Devi, gems were produced in huge numbers in Janakpur. Thinking of these gems as his daughter’s wealth, King Janaka sent them all to Ayodhya where they were kept in the southern direction of Ram Kot. A palace was made from these gems and a hill one yojana in height was formed. This hill came to be known as Mani Parvat.
Garuda brings Mani Parvat
The local folklore narrates another lila in connection with Mani Parvat.
Once Sita Devi requested Prabhu Ramachandra for a place to play with Her friends. Ramachandra ordered Garuda to get a portion of hill from Vaikuntha. Being ordered by his master, Garuda brought a small hillock from Vaikuntha and placed it in Ayodhya. Since this hill was filled with precious stones, it came to be known as Mani Parvat.
Mani Parvat is the favorite spot of Sita Devi
After one climbs the hillock, there is a small temple dedicated to Lord Sita Ramachandra atop the hill. The altar also houses the vigraha of Mani Bhagavan who is the predominating deity of this sacred mountain. Every year during the shravana month jhulan utsava of Sita Rama is celebrated all over Ayodhya. This jhulan yatra begins from Mani Parvat as this being the favorite spot of Sita Devi.
From here one can catch a breathtaking view of the Ayodhya city.
How to Reach Mani Parvat
You can relish Mani Parvat and be blessed with this sacred hill easily if you book the Ayodhya Kashi Yatra conducted by Tirtha Yatra. A wonderful spiritual experience is guaranteed at Mani Parvat with all the necessary arrangements such as food and stay well taken care of.
As Mani Parvat is located in Ayodhya, all you have to do is take the road, rail or air route to Ayodhya as given below.
By Road: Ayodhya is well connected to cities in Uttar Pradesh and nearby states by road. Uttar Pradesh state buses are available from major cities in the state 24 hours.
You can even hire private taxis from these cities or from a nearby town where you may be present. Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Prayagraj and Varanasi are the nearest cities within a distance of 200 kms.
By Rail: Ayodhya city is served by two railway stations. They are Ayodhya Junction and Ayodhya Cantt. Trains connecting major cities and towns of India stop over here.
By Air: The nearest airports are in Gorakhpur 139 kms away and Lucknow 151 kms away. You can fly in here and use the rail or road route to reach Ayodhya.
A government airstrip in Ayodhya is being upgraded to create a new airport though this may take time.
Mani Parvat is Sita Devi’s jewel
The Mani Parvat was formed from the mani i.e. jewels created with the blessings of Sita Devi in Janakpur. Though Lord Rama was gifted a few manis by Queen Kaikeyi after His marriage to Sita Devi, they too found their way to Sita Devi indirectly.
Being the eternal consort of Lord Rama, Sita Devi’s blessings are important in the worship of Lord Rama. The Mani Parvat reminds us of Sita Devi always and Her benevolence on all living beings.
By remembering Sita Devi, you will automatically remember Lord Rama and hence, the goal of your life is accomplished. When you climb Mani Parvat the next time, do remember Sita Devi with the utmost devotion at each step. Your climb will never be an ordinary one!
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