Our visit to the Ayodhya

 'Ayodhya tour' recommended a two days visit! We however made quick visit to the Ram Janmabhomi temple with Shrinivas, Mukti and family. No pictures as I did not carry my phone! We had a ride through narrow, winding and bumpy streets on two autos! The auto drivers surprisingly didn't know the roads and stopped often to check! 

Anyway we reached the outskirts of the temple and got off the autos. Fares were charged per person! We chose to walk and joined one of the many lines, which were separated from others by barriers.  We walked a fair distance and stopped at one of  the many numbered booths. We deposited our footwear and were given a token. Shrinivas and Mukti also deposited their mobiles. There were separate lines for men and women for security check like in the airports. We moved fast, people seemed to be in a hurry. Soon we entered the temple premises, again there were lines and soon had our darshan of Ramlalla. We did pause a few seconds!It was a magical view of the idol. 

We were out in a very short time. People did not linger like in other bigger temples. So no pushing and pulling of stragglers. I didn't hear anyone shout asking us to move fast inside the temple! Perhaps it was because it was not very crowded. Yes, we were quietly asked to move after we had got out, as a few stopped to look back! I was touched when many, mostly women, do 'sashtanga' namaskar! (prostrate!) after they came out of the rush 

Once we were out, we stood around to absorb the atmosphere. The outer part of the temple is almost ready. Skilled workers were polishing the many pretty idols. They were using machines! Our heart (or is it the mind ?) was full of pride at the beautifully made temple. A brand new temple.

Recently I was at the Halebid temple. It hurt to see beautiful idols deliberately vandalized and was wondering how it would have looked when new. I got an answer in Ayodhya.

On the last day of the event, we had time for one more sight seeing trip! Mukti chose Guptar Ghat. Shrinivas had calls to take! Om gave his dad company! Guptar ghat on the river Sarayu is said to be the place from where SriRama took his 'jal samadi' ! I guess with a full river, the ghat will have a very different feel!

https://www.incredibleindia.gov.in/en/uttar-pradesh/ayodhya/guptar-ghat

A long ride on the auto!

The young Sri Rama would have walked around  in his time!

A new highway getting ready. 
A bypass from the inner city  to the Ramlalla temple!

The river would be wider during rainy season!

A nice beach. It will be in water during rainy season.

This old temple opened as we were
 about to leave.
We walked in!

Pictures to remember!

On the final day, the canteen at Manas Bhavan was full of tourists who had arrived. We thought of checking out another place for our breakfast! There was one just five minutes away! 

Walking to it told us that growth is necessary and is also inevitable for Ayodhya!

The old and the new!

Our first experience of a Residential Sangeet Sammelan

 

Ayodhya Residential Sangeet Sammelan

Introduction video

Tara announced one day, "Mukti and Shrinivas are going to Ayodhya and they want us to join them. Mukti is performing at a festival there. And added Shrinivas said 'Tell uncle he should come. I will take care of him'. " Being a super-senior his promise made it easier to decide! It was an opportunity to see the Ramlalla Temple as well!

We know them from our Bangkok days! Mukti is a well known Kathak dancer, https://mukti-shri.com/home/. Her website tells us more about her activities. Recently she had her show at the prestigious  Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre. https://in.bookmyshow.com/events/pulse-by-mukti-shri/ET00477979

The event 'Ayodhya Residential Sanget Sammelan 2026' was organised by Abhijat Music Forum! This is a unique organisation, wherein well known and budding artists congregate for a few days and perform! Fortunately music lovers are also invited to be part of this festival. I had not heard of this forum. It began in the year 2016.

I quote from the website

Abhijat Music Forum is an umbrella organization dedicated to the development and conservation of the art of Indian Classical Music. Our aim is to conduct innovative and unique residential music festivals that provide opportunities to genuinely talented artists and provide exposure to authentic classical music to audiences. 

 Abhijat Music Forum began with the objective of assembling the organizations dedicated towards the welfare of Indian Classical Music under one collective roof.

We believe it is important to make use of the collective expertise of these multifaceted organizations in order to create an atmosphere suitable for providing a platform for upcoming artists. Abhijat Music Forum has the blessing of many distinguished artists* in the field of Indian Classical Music, who always offer their invaluable insight.

It was an unforgettable experience. I saw senior artists mingle informally with the younger artists. It was like being in a close knit family. It was special to meet again  Mukti and Shrinivas's Guru and Mentor, Talayogi Padmasri  Suresh Talwalkarji. We had met him in Bangkok. 

*Sureshji was present all through the sammelan. He also performed and he participated in discussions about the nuances in Music! When I spoke to him, he mentioned that he was with the forum from its initiation and knew the organisers since long! 

The program was conducted in Hindi, Marathi and a bit of English while introducing the artists. We were invited to be part of a WhatsApp group! This helped us to connect with each other sharing information. Later, I saw from the comments made about our stay, that many first timers like me were happy with the non-VIP atmosphere of the sammelan. We all stood in a queue for our meals, the cooks were from Pune. We ate the same food! It was nice for me to hear 'Marathi' spoken; I lived in Pune for 24 years! 

Being just a lover of  music I enjoyed listening to  Music which started early in the morning and ended close to midnight. With breaks for  meals and some sightseeing for those so inclined. We just took one break for our darshan of Ramlalla!

It was even better for Tara, as a student and as an organizer of music programs!  Shrinivas Rao and the Trio (Tara, Gayathri and Viji) arranged many programs in Bangkok. In addition, music teachers came to Bangok to teach music. She was happy to meet Vidushi Archana Kanhare at the sammelan. 

WhatsApp members have shared pictures of the artists and a few short videos. I guess these would be seen on the Forum website. I will just share a few pictures of Mukti's performance for the benefit of a few friends who know her! She is family for us!