Ayodhya is said to be one of the most ancient, magnificent and holy of Hindu cities. According to the ancient Hindu Scriptures, it is said to have covered an area of 250 km² (96 square miles)[citation needed], and was the capital of the powerful Hindu kingdom of Kosala (Kaushal). It is on the banks of the Gogra (Ghaghara or Saryu) River, bathing in which is supposed to destroy even the deadliest of sins. It stands on the right bank of the river Ghagra (or Saryu, as it is called within sacred precincts). The illustrious Ikshvaku of the solar clan (suryavansha) was the ruling dynasty of this region.[citation needed]
This city was ruled by 'Surya Vanshi' kings and it was the court of the great king Dasaratha, the 63rd monarch of the Solar line. King Dasaratha's son 'Shri Rama' was believed to be the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Lord 'Shri Rama' was born here. In the Atharvaveda, this place was described as a city that was made by gods and was as prosperous as heaven itself.[citation needed]
Saint Valmiki is said to have begun the writing of his famous devotional poem Valmiki Ramayana, also called the Ramayana. Other sages like Kamban and Tulsidas also wrote their verses of Ramayana in the praise and glory of the Lord SriRama and the magnificent city of Ayodhya. Saint Tulsidas' Ramayana popularly known as Ramacharitamanasa sings the praise & glory of Lord 'Shri Rama'. It is one of the most revered scriptures of 'Sanātana Dharma' which speaks of idealism, selfless devotion, & piousness. This divine religious text is a source of inspiration, enlightenment & bhakti for billions across the world. Several Tamil Alwar mention the city of Ayodhya. The opening chapters of the Ramayana recount the magnificence of the city, the glories of the monarch and the virtues, wealth and loyalty of his people. Ayodhya is also said to be the birthplace of King Bharata (The First Chakravarti King), Bhahubali, Brahmi, Sundari, King Dasaratha, Acharya Padaliptasurisvarji, King Harishchandra, Shri SriRama Achalbhrata, and the ninth Gandhara of Mahavir Swami.
The city is also important in the history and heritage of Buddhism in India, with several Buddhist temples, monuments and centers of learning having been established here during the age of the Mauryan Empire and the Gupta Dynasty. Ayodhya reached its glorious peak as known to history during the reign of the Guptas over India.[citation needed]
This city was also a significant trade centre in 600 BCE.[citation needed] Historians have identified this place as Saketa, a key Buddhist centre during the 5th century BCE (it is a widely held belief[citation needed] that Buddha visited Ayodhya on several occasions) which it remained till the 5th century CE. In fact, Faxian, the Chinese monk, recorded several Buddhist monasteries that he saw here.[citation needed]।
LUCKNOW: A thick security blanket has been thrown on UP with paramilitary forces keeping an aerial vigil of sensitive places, including the disputed site in Ayodhya, even as the High Court, which would be pronouncing the verdict, has been declared a "no-access zone" restricting the entry to only those connected with the case listed today.
The intelligence network is on high alert throughout the state to monitor movement and activities of anti-social elements.
As a preventive measure, aerial survey, including at night, of sensitive places, including Ram Janmbhoomi complex in Ayodhya has been done, police sources said, adding the force deployment has been such that it would take minimum time for them to reach any troubled spot. ( Read: 22 Uttar Pradesh areas under air surveillance )
All the security personnel deployed in Ayodhya and Faizabad have been equipped with tear gas shells and rubber bullets and the gazetted officers of various government departments have been asked to assist in policing. They have also been provided with rubber bullets and tear gas shells.
In Pics: High security ahead of Ayodhya verdict
Helicopters have been kept on alert and asked to keep a vigil on activities of mischievous elements, sources said, adding though there is no ban on movement of people but strict vigil is being maintained and hospitals and doctors have been put on alert to remain prepared in case of any eventuality.
अयोध्या विवाद पर फैसले को लेकर तनाव
आइए जानते हैं हमारे जाने - माने लोग इस मुद्दे पर क्या कहते हैं :
अयोध्या विवाद पर फैसला आने के बाद मैं देश की जनता से शांति और सद्भाव बनाए रखने की अपील करता हूं। समाज के किसी वर्ग से कोई ऐसी प्रतिक्रिया नहीं होनी चाहिए जिससे दूसरे वर्ग की भावनाओं को चोट पहुंचे। हमें ध्यान रखना होगा कि इस मौके पर आने वाला फैसला न्यायिक प्रक्रिया में एक कदम है और इसी फैसले के साथ जरूरी नहीं कि यह यहीं मुद्दा खत्म हो जाए।
डॉक्टर मनमोहन सिंह , प्रधानमंत्री
अयोध्या विवाद का फैसला चाहे जो आए देशवासियों को उसे स्वीकार करना चाहिए। हमें हर हाल में शांति , सद्भाव और भाईचारा बनाए रखना होगा। आखिर हमारी उदारवादी दृष्टिकोण की परंपरा जो रही है। पूरे देश ने फैसले को स्वीकार करने की बात कहकर न्यायपालिका की निष्पक्षता में भरोसा जताया है जो कि उसकी ऊंची परंपरा के लिए गर्व का मौका है और देश की सामूहिक समझ का प्रतीक भी।
Three dog squads, four bomb disposal squads, five anti-sabotage teams and fire tenders have also been deployed at strategic points in Ayodhya and Faizabad where a total of 20 companies (over 2000 personnel) of CRPF has been deployed for the inner security of the Ram Janmbhoomi complex, besides 38 other companies of police and PAC for the twin towns and 16 other companies for rural areas, police sources said.
In Lucknow, 20 companies of the CPMF, 30 officers and 900 special police officers have been deployed and the sale of liquor and firecrackers has been banned to check any overt display of victory or defeat.
The media which is being kept away form the court premises with arrangements for press briefing about the verdict at the collectorate premises, has been also been advised against speculating on the verdict.
A control room has been set up at the DGP headquarters here with six phone numbers being made public to facilitate any information about trouble makers.
The security of the three judges of the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court, who would be pronouncing the verdict has been increased and one platoon of PAC (about 20 personnel), five CRPF personnel have been deployed at their respective residences, besides an escort and pilot car and one PSO each have also been provided to them.
A deputy SP rank officer has been made in-charge of the judges security, the sources said.
Meanwhile, Ahead of the Allahabad High Court verdict on Ayodhya issue today, some IT companies have decided to remain closed or work during half day.
अयोध्या विवाद पर फैसले को लेकर तनाव की आशंका के बीच हिंदू और मुस्लिम साम्प्रदायिक सौहार्द बना
यूपी के जौनपुर के छोटे से गांव उमरी खुर्द में मोहम्मद हबीब अमन का पैगाम देने के लिए रामायण का पाठ कर रहे हैं। हबीब ने कहा, 'हाई कोर्ट के फैसले के मद्देनजर मैं शांति का संदेश देने के लिए रामायण का पाठ कर रहा हूं। हिंदुस्तान की सरजमीं हिंदुओं और मुसलमानों, दोनों की मां है।' जौनपुर के निवासी अजय पांडेय ने कहा कि हबीब के साथ समाज के सभी वर्गों के लोगों के आने से यह जाहिर हुआ है कि हम सब एक हैं।
Even as the country anxiously awaits the verdict on the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute, Abdul Wahid stands out as a symbol of communal harmony in the Sangam city. This humble `dresswala' sends across a strong message that religion is meant for bonding people, not dividing them.
While the security agencies were busy making preparations to thwart any communal tension in wake of the Ayodhya verdict, to be pronounced on Thursday, Abdul Wahid alias Anwar alias Ram Singh, remained focus on his annual activity -- making dresses for the characters of Ram Leela, which will be staged in the city during Dussehra.
Be it Lord Rama, Laxman, Sita, Ravana, or Hanuman, all these characters wear the dresses made by Wahid and his family. Such is the popularity of Wahid among the aristes that they have given him a new name -- Ram Singh. Today, he is more famous as Ram Singh dresswala. Carrying the family profession in the fourth generation, the old man is now supported by his sons Saud, Abdulla, Saeed and other family members in the business.
"Mandir aur masjid ki baten karna sirf faltu logo ka kaam hai, jab unke pas koi aur kaam nahi hai karne ko to kya karen, (the issues of temple and mosque are being talked by people who do not have any other work to do)," said Wahid's younger son Abdulla. "For me, Ram and his life is as important as that of Allah. And why only me, I believe youngsters, be they of any any religion, have grown watching the epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata on TV," he added.
"Why only Ram Leela, even Muslim youths play various characters of the Ramayana in the tableaux displayed during Dussehra," said Abbas, a Muslim youth sitting next to Abdulla.
Abdul Wahid and his family were more interested in the Ram Leela rehearsals underway on at the grounds of Pattharchati, than the Ayodhya verdict.
"Ours is the fourth generation in this business even though the earnings have dwindled over the years," said Saeed. Red coloured jackets with dominant golden embroidery, pearl necklaces, silken dhoti, thick black menacing moustaches and beard, the deft hands of Wahid and his family members infuse life in the Ram Leela characters.
Throughout the year we collect materials like human hair, artificial jewellery, latest costumes and eye-catching embroidery as these things make our business successful," said Wahid's son Saud, who joined the family business from an early age.
We feel the hurt when innocents get killed in the cowardly acts by terrorists," said Abdulla. And we feel proud when the audience cheers and seeks blessings from Lord Ram, for it also means appreciation for our hard work, he added.
