Kanpur has a distinct history, long before the city went through an industrial revolution, it was home to priests and saints from far and wide. Few kilometers away from Kanpur, in the lost wilderness lies the quaint Valmiki Ashram which is revered as the birthplace of Luv and Kush, the twins born to lord Ram and lady Sita.
Valmiki Ashram is closely associated with the mythological tales of ‘Ramayana’. The ashram which lies in the lush greenery of a hillock, and a forest reserve, is a constant source of peace and a popular pilgrimage site for Hindu devotees. With a trip to the quiet ashram complex you can witness the sites where the twins were believed to be born and lady Sita spent her final days.
Beyond Belief and Myths
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It has long been believed that after Goddess Sita was sent to exile, saint Valmiki and his ashram gave refuge to lady Sita who was then carrying lord Ram’s offspring. It is believed that lady Sita prayed night and day beneath an old banyan which to this day remains preserved, spreading its branches and digging its roots deep in the ground.
Not just that, the complex also has several spots where important mythological events are said to have taken place. For example, the small stump to which Luv-Kush tied lord Ram’s war horse has been preserved, a small sanctum has also been constructed where it is believed that lady Sita was swallowed alive by the earth.
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What you can expect to see
The Ashram may once be what it has been revered as, today, spread over an expansive property, the ashram lies in a dilapidated condition. Paint peeling and algae seeping in to the cracks of the walls that have yet not been repaired or restored. The ashram is still a haven of peace, calm and serenity where the soul can find peace while the mind wanders to the stories that have been branded as “myths” and tales that have long been forgotten.
A visit to the ashram will fill you with divine serenity with a sense of calm washing over you.
Location: 73, Bithoor Rd, Maharshi Balmiki Nagar, Subedar Nagar, Bithoor Rd, Bithoor
Timing: 6 AM to 6 PM
