Shringverpur श्रृंगवेरपुर | राम वन गमन पथ Ram Van Gaman Path
Welcome back to our channel and to the exciting world of Ramayana…!!!!
In our last episode, we visited the Tamsa River, Gomati River, and Sita Kund, which were the first, second, and third stops that Lord Ram made during his exile from Ayodhya.
In this episode, we will be visiting and exploring Shringverpur, near Prayagraj, which is said to be the fourth destination in Lord Ram’s journey.
Episode 8 – Shringverpur श्रृंगवेरपुर | राम वन गमन पथ Ram Van Gaman Path |
In Shringverpur, we had the pleasure of meeting Shree Vimlesh Tiwari, who enthusiastically shared a fascinating story with us. He told us that King Dashrath, the father of Lord Ram, was once devastated and in great agony because he had no sons. Desperate for an heir to his kingdom, he sought the help of Guru Vashistha.
Guru Vashistha directed King Dashrath to go to Shringverpur and meet Shringi Rishi Maharaj Ji, who knew how to perform the Yagya for the birth of a son. Following Guru Vashistha’s advice, King Dashrath did as he was told and received the boon of four sons.
Shree Vimlesh Tiwari also narrated that after Lord Ram was sent into exile, Shringverpur became his fourth stop. From here, Lord Ram asked Sumantra Ji and his chariot to return to Ayodhya so that he could continue his journey on foot. Sumantra, a trusted minister in King Dashrath’s court, had accompanied Lord Ram from Ayodhya to Shringverpur. Although King Dashrath had ordered Sumantra to bring Lord Ram back after visiting the Holy River Ganga, Lord Ram refused, determined to fulfill his father’s promise to Devi Kaikeyi.
In Shringverpur, Lord Ram met Nishad Raj, who invited him to stay at his palace. Lord Ram explained that he must live as a Vanvasi (a person who resides in the forest) for 14 years and therefore could not stay in a palace. Saddened, Nishad Raj offered Lord Ram his Vatika (garden) instead, reasoning that it was not a palace. Even today, the tree where Lord Ram spent the night still stands there.
The next morning, Lord Ram, Mata Sita, and Lakshman came to the ghats of the Ganga in search of a boatman to take them across the river. They met Kevat, a sharp and insightful boatman. Kevat realized that Lord Ram was no ordinary human being. He said, “Prabhu, I have heard that the touch of your feet turned a stone into a human lady. If that’s true, my boat might turn into a woman too. This boat is my family’s livelihood. What will I do if it turns into a human?”
Kevat asked Lord Ram to wash his feet in a bowl of water first. Lord Ram complied, and Kevat was overjoyed to have the sacred water, which he planned to share with his family to gain punya (spiritual merit). Kevat then rowed the trio across the Ganga and paid obeisance to the Lord. Mata Sita sensed that Lord Ram wanted to give something to Kevat in return, so she offered her ring for Lord Ram to give to Kevat. However, Kevat, content with the opportunity to meet Lord Ram and wash his feet, declined the gift.
He also narrated that the temple featured in the video is also dedicated to Shanta Devi, the sister of Lord Ram, who was married to Shringi Rishi. Even today, it is believed that this temple has the power to grant the boon of childbirth to couples seeking to become parents.
During the evenings at Shringverpur Ghat, we felt that even today, Mata Ganga chants the name of Lord Shree Ram at the ghats of Shringverpur. The main temple on the ghat is dedicated to Shree Shanta Devi, the sister of Lord Shree Ram, and her husband, Shringi Rishi Maharaj Ji.
It is believed that this is the very place where Lord Ram, Mata Sita, and Lakshman sacrificed their royal clothes and donned the sage’s attire, becoming “Jatadhari.” From Shringverpur, Lord Shree Ram boarded Kevat’s boat and crossed the holy river Ganga to reach the ashram of Rishi Bhardwaj. It is said that in earlier times, the Ganga flowed on the other side, directly meeting Rishi Bhardwaj’s ashram, but over time, the river has changed its course.
From Shringverpur Ghat, we are heading towards Ram Chora Ghat, a small village adjacent to Shringverpur. It is believed to be the very place from where Lord Ram boarded Kevat’s boat and left for Prayagraj. This village is also home to the five-tree Vatika (garden) where Lord Ram spent the night resting—the same garden Nishad Raj told him about.
That’s it for today’s episode. In our next episode, we will meet some Ram Bhakts who are traveling to Ayodhya by foot.
Stay Tuned.. !!!
Jai Shri Ram… !!!
