A Journey of Faith, Tears, and Miracles – My Visit to Ayodhya and Kashi

This is a story close to my heart—a story of unwavering faith, struggles, and the divine miracles that remind me of the care and presence of our beloved gods. On 6th July 2024, my mother and I began our journey to Lucknow, eager to visit Ayodhya the next day. Life had been turbulent, filled with moments that tested my patience and spirit. On 7th July, we reached the gates of Hanumangarhi in Ayodhya, only to be turned back due to unforeseen circumstances. Standing there, unable to enter the sacred abode of Lord Hanuman, tears welled up in my eyes. It felt as though the weight of the year’s hardships had culminated in this moment. Not wanting to let the journey end there, we decided to go to Varanasi the following day to seek the blessings of Baba Vishwanath. On 8th July, the last Monday before Savan, we visited Baba Kal Bhairav’s temple first, as is customary. Then, we went to Kashi Vishwanath for darshan. Later in the day, at 3 PM, we returned to the temple for Sparsh Darshan. Though we were initially told that Sparsh Darshan was no longer possible, a miracle unfolded—I was blessed to touch Baba Vishwanath and pour milk over the lingam. That divine moment filled me with hope, a sign that my prayers had been heard. Our Vande Bharat tickets from Kashi to Ayodhya for 9th July were still on the waiting list. We attended the mesmerizing Ganga Aarti that evening, sitting by the river for two hours before it began. The pandits showering rose petals during the Aarti created a scene of pure bliss. My phone had died by this point, cutting me off from all distractions. The tranquility of the evening enveloped me completely. When we returned to the hotel later that night, another miracle awaited us—our tickets had been confirmed! On 9th July, a Tuesday, we finally arrived in Ayodhya. Our first stop was the Saryu River, where we washed our hands and feet, preparing ourselves for the divine journey ahead. Entering Hanumangarhi was an emotional experience; I was on the verge of tears, overwhelmed by the sight of Bajrangbali. It felt like a homecoming after the trials I had endured. From there, we walked for 40 minutes to Ram Mandir, reaching by 7 PM. Divine grace placed us in the closest line for the Aarti. At one point, there was no one between me and Ram Lalla. Standing there, I felt the temple come alive—it wasn’t just a structure; it was filled with the living presence of Lord Ram. Tears flowed freely as I stood before him, overwhelmed by a sense of peace and belonging. That moment will remain etched in my memory forever. The rest of 2024 brought its share of challenges, but this journey gave me the strength to face them. It reminded me that no matter how difficult life gets, our gods are always watching over us, offering their love and support. Later in the year, I was blessed to complete the 6 Devi Darshan in Himachal, but that is a story for another day. For now, I carry the lessons and blessings from Ayodhya and Kashi in my heart, a beacon of hope and resilience. Life is tough, but with such caring gods by our side, we are never alone. Jai Shri Ram. Har Har Mahadev. Om Namah Shivaya.