Guptar Ghat is located on the banks of the sacred Sarayu river in Ayodhya. It lies near the famous Sarayu-Ghaghara confluence in Uttar Pradesh, India. The Guptar Ghat is known as Gopratara Tirtha in the scriptures.
Lord Rama chose this holy place to end His earthly pastimes and go back to Vaikuntha along with the citizens of Ayodhya. The Skanda Purana says that no tirtha equals the merit of Guptar Ghat nor will there ever be one. A devotee who takes a holy bath here and performs charity will never have to suffer in this material world.
It is one of the least visited tirthas in Ayodhya.
The history of Guptar Ghat
Guptar Ghat has a glorious history beginning from the Ramayana era. Sage Agastya narrates the lilas of Lord Rama going back to Vaikuntha via the Guptar Ghat in response to a query by Sage Vyasadeva which is recorded in the Skanda Purana.
When Lord Rama finished His mission on earth, He decided to end His earthly lilas and go back to Vaikuntha along with His two brothers Bharata and Shatrughna. His most devoted brother Lakshmana had already gone back to Vaikuntha. In the process, the Sahasradhara Tirtha was created.
The vanaras, who could assume any form they desired came to know of this plan of Lord Rama. Knowing about the imminent departure of the Lord to Vaikuntha, the different vanaras such as Rkshas, Gopuccha Rakshas, vanaras who were the sons of rishis, devatas and Gandharvas, all came running to Lord Rama.
The leaders of these vanaras spoke to Lord Rama “O sinless king, we have all come here to follow you. O Rama, the great ruler of men, if you go without us, it will be as though we are struck dead with this punishment, O king.” On hearing these words, Lord Rama instantaneously spoke the following to Vibhishana:
“As long as all the worlds remain, O Vibhishana, rule the great kingdom of Lanka and protect it. Protect your subjects righteously as per dharma. Do not disobey My words. It does not behove you to tell Me anything subsequently against my behest.”
After saying this to Vibhishana, the descendant of Kakutstha said the following to Hanuman: “O son of Vayudeva, live long! Do not break your vow. As long as people recount My lilas, O great Vanara! You follow your vow and continue to live till then. Mainda and Dvivida had both partaken of nectar. As long as the worlds hold on, they too will live. May these vanaras protect our sons and grandsons here.”
After saying these words to Vibhishana and Hanuman, Lord Rama told all the vanaras that they could all join Him on His journey to Vaikuntha.
Lord Rama walks to Swargadwar
During the early morning, Lord Rama who had a broad chest, long arms and limbs, and eyes like lotus petals told Sage Vasishtha “Let all the sacred fires of Agnihotra sacrifices go ahead shining brilliantly. Let the Vajapeyas and the Atiratras fires go ahead of Me.”
The brilliant Sage Vasishtha decided and arranged for the departure of Lord Rama who was ready wearing white dress with darbha grass in His lotus hands. Without speaking anything He proceeded to Sarayu. Just like a moon coming out of the ocean, Lord Rama came out of the city accompanied by Lakshmi Devi on His left and big-eyed Vishalakshi Devi on His right. All the weapons (arrows, etc.) personified followed Him.
In the form of a brahmanas, the Vedas followed Him on His left while Savitri followed on His right. The Omkara and Vashatkara, etc too followed Sri Rama.
All the sages and Lord Narayana too followed Lord Rama Who had reached Swargadwara. All the women of the palace including old women, children, slaves, attendants and sentries too followed. All the residents of Ayodhya including the ministers and their servants, administration officials, etc., followed Lord Rama.
Everyone was extremely joyful on this occasion. They all wanted to go to Vaikuntha along with their dear-most Lord. Everyone took holy bath in Sarayu and wore white clothes.
Lord Rama departs to Vaikuntha
After going half a yojana, Lord Rama went ahead in the western direction. He saw the sacred waters of the Sarayu in front. Accompanied by all the sages and devatas, Lord Brahma arrived at this auspicious hour in the premises of the Swargadwara. Crores and crores of aerial chariots with eminent personalities from the universe filled up the sky.
Very auspicious, sweet-smelling and pleasant breezes blew. There was a massive shower of flowers from the sky along with great winds. The Surya devata too arrived at that time with gandharvas and apsaras. As Lord Rama set His lotus feet in the sacred Sarayu, Lord Brahma glorified Him.
“Indeed You are the lord of the worlds. No one knows You and none is capable to understand You. My life has been your gift. You descended to this earth on my request along with Your brother. All the devatas worship You after knowing that You are the Supreme Lord Vishnu. By worshiping You, their desires are fulfilled.”
Lord Rama ordered Lord Brahma to arrange best abodes for the residents of Ayodhya. Then Lord Rama and His brothers Bharata and Shatrughna proceeded to Vaikuntha along with the devatas. Very soon, the waters of Guptar ghat or Gopratara Tirtha reached the Sarayu and flooded the entire area. Everyone who followed Lord Rama jumped into the tirtha joyously remembering Lord Rama and gave up their bodies, thereby going back to Vaikuntha.
Thus, this tirtha became famous as Gopratara Tirtha and later Guptar Ghat, which had no comparison.
The glories of Guptar Ghat
Guptar ghat possess unmatched glories. This has been confirmed by great sages like Vasishtha, Agastya, Vyasadeva, etc. At Guptar ghat, a devotee of Hari attains liberation in just one life. Even a learned person of unusual nature can enter worlds inaccessible to the yogins by taking a holy bath here.
All the devatas headed by Indra come here during the month of Karthika for a holy bath. Hence, devotees should take their holy bath here in the Karthika month. All the Tirthas on earth and heaven stay in Guptar ghat in the month of Karthika. Even the king of tirthas, Prayagraj stays here during this time. It is said that Prayaga becomes sinless after abandoning all sins here.
All charity, holy bath, japa, homa, etc., done here according to one’s capacity gives infinite bliss. There is no doubt that a holy bath in Guptar ghat and the darshan of Lord Guptahari absolves a person of all sins. Giving in charity a well-adorned milch cow, gold, various kinds of clothes, different kinds of cooked rice along with worship of a pure brahmana after a holy bath here gives unlimited benefits.
Just worshipping Lord Govinda here gives you the merit of gifting 10 pieces of gold. Or offering an incense to Lord Govinda here gives you the merit of an agnihotra sacrifice. Offering a lamp to Lord Keshava in the Karthika month here is of great merit. In this way, Guptar ghat or Gopratara tirtha offers you unmatched and unlimited benefits in one way or other.
How to Reach Guptar Ghat
If you are seeking a hassle-free way to visit Guptar Ghat and seek the blessings of Lord Rama, the Ayodhya-Kashi Yatra conducted by Tirtha Yatra is highly recommended. We ensure that you take a holy dip in Guptar Ghat.
Generally, you have to reach Ayodhya dham first. You may choose one or more than one mode of transportation.
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.
Guptar Ghat: the route to Vaikuntha
Lord Rama led by example showing devotees how to achieve liberation. When Sri Rama took all the residents of Ayodhya with Him to Vaikuntha, it was due to their intense love for Him.
But neither can we imitate His activities. We can indeed offer our devotion to the sacred waters of Guptar ghat.
These waters which have been sanctified by the lotus feet of Sri Rama are undoubtedly unmatched. They can fulfil your desires more than the Chintamani stones.
Each step in Ayodhya dham is purifying. Hence, as you walk through Ayodhya dham and reach Guptar ghat, you would not be able to imagine or calculate the benefits of a holy bath or simple worship here.
So, when are you packing your bags?
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