Approximately 25 miles northeast of Bhakti Dham, Mangarh is the village of Shringaverpur. The Ram Shayya Ashram is outside the village on the banks of the holy River Ganges at Ram Choura Ghat. This is an important leela place (leela sthali) related to the descension of Shri Sita Ram.
While proceeding from Ayodhya to Chitrakoot at the beginning of their forest exile, Lord Ram, Sita ji and Lakshman came to this spot, which in that age was situated in the kingdom of Nishadha Raj Guha. Ram and Sita rested here for one night.
The following morning, Ram, Sita and Lakshman approached Kevat, a boatman, to be ferried across the Ganges so they could continue their journey. Kevat knew that Shri Ram was supreme God. At first, Kevat told Shri Ram that he would not take them on the pretext that the dust of Shri Rama’s feet could turn his boat into a woman. This was in reference to Ahalya, the wife of sage Gautama, who was saved from the curse of being turned into stone by receiving Shri Ram’s foot dust.
Kevat said, “If this happens to my boat, how will I survive? It is my only means of income.” Kevat then made a condition that he should be allowed to wash Shri Rama’s lotus feet to free them of any dust. His hidden desire was to have the opportunity to touch his beloved Lord’s lotus feet, which would cause him to be forever free from Maya.
Shri Ram started mildly refusing, because he knew Kevat’s actual intention and that if He were to bestow His divine love on a fully surrendered soul, He would become the servitor of that devotee forever. However, Kevat kept insisting, and finally Lord Ram agreed. This leela is narrated in the Ayodhyakanda section of the Tulsidas Ramayana.
At this important and holy leela place, with the inspiration of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj, a new Ram Darbar temple was constructed. Before dawn on October 24, Shri Maharaj Ji visited this new temple accompanied by 300 devotees. The program consisted of a welcome message from the Temple priest, kirtan, a special abhishek ceremony of the deities, and prasad.
Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj vists the new Ram Darbar Temple in Shringaverpur, U.P.
Some of the respected devotees visiting with Shri Maharaj Ji
Shri Maharaj Ji and Ram Darbar Temple priest
Entrance to the Temple
Deities of Shri Ram, Sita and Lakshman - Ram Darbar
Deity of Hanuman Ji
View of courtyard outside the Temple
The grass mat on this cement platform commemorates the place where Lord Ram and Sita ji rested for one evening before starting their forest exile. Five Shesham trees that emerge from the platform are believed to be at least 900,000 years old.
Radhey Radhey N’Ji
Thank you for this beautiful description of Shringaverpur. I was fortunate enough to visit in 2007 and carry water back from the Holy Ganges, for bathing Bhakti Dham. You have just expanded my knowledge and increased my devotion and I can’t thank you enough for taking the time, not only to write this description, but to post these glorious photos, in what must be a very hectic time for you.
thank you so much.