Avatar in India

Buddha - Rama - Meher Baba

    SARNATH - AYODHYA - MATHURA. - VRINDAVAN - DWARKA - KASHMIR - SRINAGAR

    Avataric Advents in India

      Drive 10 KM Varanasi to Sarnath

      Buddhas' Sarnath

      Drive 18 min, plus traffic! (9.5 km) via Varanasi Cantt Overbridge from Varanasi.

      When the Buddha attained enlightenment in Ceylon, he soon resolved to share his realization with others. He set out to find his five former companions—those with whom he had practiced severe austerities. He found them in a place known as Isipatana, later called the Deer Park, near Sarnath, close to Varanasi (Kashi or Benares).

      The actual Deer Park at Sarnath was said to have been set aside or granted for the Buddha's use by a local raja—possibly King Bimbisara of Magadha or another regional figure with jurisdiction over the area.

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      The site is now marked by numerous monuments, including the Dhamek Stupa, which is believed to mark the spot where Buddha gave his first sermon.

      The advent of Buddha around 650 BCE, after the Aryans had already settled in India, became the dominant religion of India. About 200 years after Buddhas' passing, Buddhism gained prominence as the significant religion in India. Over time, the decline of Buddhism, partly due to invasions by the Mughals, allowed Hinduism to resurface and become the dominant religion in India. Presently, India's religious majority follows Hinduism (around 80%), followed by Islam (15%), and other religions such as Christianity, Sikhism, Jain and others (5%).

      The story of The Buddha. 650 BC. Sarnath remained abandoned until 1834 when Alexader Cunningham excavated the site. Buddha was born in Lumbini, (now Nepal) into a royal Hindu family. He renounced his birthright, followed established religious teachers, and then achieved enlightenment after striking out on his own. He was awakened to who He was while meditating under a Bodi tree located in Ceylon. He returned to India and established His ashram in Sarnath. The area was known as a deer park. The teachings delivered by the Buddha at Sarnath revolved around the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and the Middle Way. These teachings form the core principles of Buddhism and have had a profound impact on the development and spread of the religion.

      Shravasti, the ancient capital of the Kosala kingdom, holds a special place in the life of Gautama Buddha. After attaining enlightenment, the Buddha spent 25 of his 45 teaching years in Shravasti—more than in any other location. It became one of the key centers of early Buddhism.Shravasti represents the mature phase of the Buddha’s teaching life, where his Sangha flourished and many laypeople achieved high spiritual attainments. He primarily stayed at Jetavana Monastery, donated by the wealthy merchant Anathapindika. Ruins of Jetavana Monastery are still visible today, including the Gandhakuti (Buddha’s hut). Lucknow to Shravasti: Buses or shared taxis can be taken from Lucknow (175km) to Shravasti. Alternatively, the train to Payagpur followed by a short (33km) road trip to Shravasti.

      The Buddha's "Eightfold Path to Enlightenment"

    • Right Understanding: Understanding of the Four Noble Truths - the truth about suffering, its cause, its cessation, and the path leading to its cessation.

    • Right Intention: To control our actions, cultivating intentions of renunciation, goodwill, and harmlessness, as opposed to intentions governed by desire, ill-will, and harm.

    • Right Speech: Speaking truthfully, avoiding slander, gossip, and harsh language. Communicating in a truthful, positive, and constructive manner.

    • Right Action: Acting ethical and moral. It involves abstaining from harming others, stealing, sexual misconduct.

    • Right Livelihood: Earning a living that does not cause harm and is ethically positive. Avoiding professions that harm others.

    • Right Effort: Cultivating a positive state of mind:. It's a commitment to mental improvement.

    • Right Mindfulness: Being aware and attentive to our thoughts, feelings, body, and states of mind. Being present in the moment, aware of our actions and thoughts.

    • Right Concentration: Meditation practices, which develop concentration, clarity, emotional positivity, and a calm view of the true nature of things.

      Buddha statue Sarnath museum India

      Carved statue of Lord Buddha in the archeological museum.

      Buddhism expanded in India in the centuries after the death of the Buddha, particularly after receiving the royal support of the Maura Empire. It spread even beyond India to Central Asia and China. The consolidation of monastic organisations made Buddhism the centre of religious and intellectual life in India.

      Harwan is located in the Kashmir Valley, an area known for its rich history and cultural heritage. This region played a significant role in the spread of Buddhism to Central Asia and East Asia. The monastery ruins at Harwan is significant for having been a prominent center of Buddhist learning and culture.

      Sarnath remained abandoned until 1834 when Alexader Cunningham excavated the site.
      Lion Capital of Ashoka: is now the National Emblem of India, is an important archaeological artifact found at Sarnath. Presently one can visit the archeological museum and walk around the Stupa. There are numerous Buddhist Temples in Sarnath. No written records about Gautama were found from his lifetime or from the one or two centuries thereafter. A complete picture of the life of Siddhartha Gautama are a variety of different, and sometimes conflicting, traditional biographies from a later date . The Chaukhandi Stupa commemorates the spot where the Buddha met up with his first five disciples. The Sarnath Archeological Museum houses the famous Lion Capital of Ashoka, which miraculously survived its 45-foot drop to the ground, and became the State Emblem of India and national symbol on the flag of India. The museum also houses the original 5th-century CE sandstone sculpture of Buddha Preaching his First Sermon. Buddha died of dysentery. M.B.quote: His “medicine” for the spiritual bimaries (illnesses) of mankind holds the field to this day."

      Countries in which Buddhism is a major religion have established temples and monasteries in Sarnath ("Lord of the Deer") surrounding Buddhas place in Sarnath, the holiest Buddhist site in the world.

      The modern Mulgandha Kuty Vihara is a temple constructed by the Maha Bodi Society. Dharmapala was a Sri Lankan Buddhist monk who was instrumental in the revival of Buddhism in India after it had been virtually extinct in that country for seven centuries.The temple contains a gilded replica of a 5th-century CE sculpture of Buddha Preaching his First Sermon. Its interior walls are extensively decorated with frescoes by Japanese artist Kosetsu Nosu, depicting important events in the life of the Buddha... A standing Buddha statue is located on the grounds of the Thai temple and monastery at Sarnath... Anagarika Dharmapala Museum, located on Dharmapala Road...

      Hindu Synthesis and Decline of Buddhism: The period between 500 BCE to 300 AD indeed saw the composition of epics like the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, and the Puranic literature, which contributed to the development of Hinduism. The decline of Buddhism as a dominant religious force in India during this period allowed Hinduism to gain more prominence.

      Lord Buddha with disciples deer park

      Temples of Cambodia, China, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tibet, and Vietnam.

      THE 5 AVATAR ADVENTS IN INDIA

      SARNATH HOTELS: WITH ELEVATORS

        Hotel The Fern Residency TC Easy reach, main road. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Very near the Buddha stupa. The rooms were largE. AC, large beds. The bathroom with excellent fixtures, separate shower & bathtub areas. Hot water. Hotel is very calm and soothing. Cilantro Restaurant serves Indian, Western and Chinese. (lots of weddings and events). Good room service. A nice modern hotel .

        Hotel Buddha: Easy reach in Sarnath, rooms that are accessible by elevator. The hotel also has a restaurant, 24-hour front desk, and free Wi-Fi.

        Hotel Deva Inn: This hotel is located in Sarnath and offers rooms that are accessible by elevator. The hotel also has a restaurant, 24-hour front desk, and free Wi-Fi.

    FROM SARNATH: AFTERNOON TRAIN TO FAIZABAD. WHICH IS 8 KM FROM AYODHYA .DRIVE IS ABOUT 4+ HOURS. THERE ARE NICE HOTELS IN FAIZABAD.

    The afternoon train to Faizabad, which is next to Ayodhya, takes 4+ hours from Sarnath. There are many nice hotels in Faizabad.. A few hotels in Ayodya too. It is also a 2.5 hour drive to Faizabad from Lucknow.

 

     

    AYODHYA: LORD RAMA

King Rama Ayodhya

Image of Lord Rama.

Ramas' Ayodhya

    Rama and Sita, exiled for 14 years:

    Rama, along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana, spent 14 years in exile from Ayodhya. Of these years, nearly 11 and a half were spent in the forests of Chitrakoot, nestled along the banks of the Mandakini River, surrounded by the tranquility of nature and visited by sages and seekers. Today, the forested hill of Chitrakoot where they dwelled has become a revered pilgrimage site. Devotees come from all over India to walk its sacred paths, it is a sacred location. It is one of the most significant places from Ramayana in modern-day India. During their exile Ram, Sita, and Lakshman walked from Chitrakoot to India’s huge Dandakaranya forest. They eventually moved to the forests near Nashik.

    Ram and Sita in Chitrakoot Forest

    The entire life story of Rama, Sita and their companions allegorically discusses duties, rights and social responsibilities of an individual. It illustrates dharma and dharmic living through model characters. Ayodya is the birthplace of Lord Rama and setting of the great epic Ramayana. As the birthplace of Rama, Ayodhya has been regarded as a most important pilgrimage site for Hindus. Topographical indications in both Buddhist and Jain texts suggest that Saketa is the same as the present-day Ayodhya. The city remained deserted until King Vikrama of Ujjain came searching for it, and re-established it. He cut down the forests that had covered the ancient ruins, erected the Ramgar fort, and built 360 temples. It is believed that a temple stood at the birth place of Rama, which was demolished by the orders of the Mughal emperor Babur in 1528 A.D. and a mosque erected in its place.

    Ram and Sita in Chitrakoot Forest

    Chitrakoot and the Ramayana

    Chitrakoot" You can take a 6-7 hour train ride to Chitrakoot /Chitrakot from Varanasi. Ram and Sita stayed there and Sita often bathed in the river there. Ram, while in exile, did much work with masts in the jungles. Such God-intoxicated persons as masts always exist on earth, especially in the East, and during Avataric advents they are contacted by God personified. .. Many Temples to see and boat rides on the River. Arti on Ram Ghat is nice. Very nice and reasonable hotels in town. You could then take a 6-7 hour train ride to Agra to continue your journey.

    Ram and Sita in Chitrakoot Forest

    Rama returns. Diwali celebrationRama returns Divali celebration

    Archaeological findings suggest continuous habitation and urban settlement in the region, with traces of human activity dating back more than 3,000 years. However, definitive artifacts directly linked to the Ramayana era remain a matter of scholarly debate.

    Sri Ram Janma Bhoomi Temple now

    Sri Ram Janma Bhoomi Temple. Ayodhya Ram Mandir, also reverently known as Ram Janmabhoomi. .. The experience of this place was serene. Ram janam bhoomi is sacred place for Hindus as it's the birth place of lord Rama..Try to visit it first in the morning and later visit Kanak Bhawan then Hanuman Garhi.

    New Statue of Rama in the Ayodhya Temple.

    Sri Ram Janma Bhoomi Temple Ayodhya

    In 1992, the dispute over the spot led to the demolition of Baburs' mosque by Hindu mobs, who aimed to rebuild a grand temple of Rama at the site. A five-judge full bench of the Supreme Court heard the title cases 2019 and ruled that the land belonged to the government and ordered it to be handed over to a trust to build a Hindu temple. It also ordered the government to give an alternative 5 acres of land to build a mosque in lieu of the demolished Babri Mosque . The construction of Ram Mandir commenced in August 2020. The Ram Temple work will be completed someday, Ist Floor work is about complete.

    Ayodhya NOW: There is no structure left from the time of Rama, it has all disppeared in the sands of time. Many archelogists have made studies looking for buried artifacts. A new and very grand temple is being built, the Ram Janmbhoomi temple. It is considered to be the birthplace of Lord Ram. Many Hindu devotees visit. Open all days: 7 am to 11 am and 2 pm to 6 pm. There are many temples and palaces to see in Ayodhya. No trip to Ayodhya is complete without a visit to ghats of the sacred Saryu river, where it is believed Rama took his last dip and was never seen again in human form. It is also believed he bathed in the river after defeating Ravana. You can take a boat ride on the River Saryu, which is known to be the abode of hundreds of dolphins! ( Platanista Gangetica). The species is endemic to the Gangetic river system.

      Saryu Rivee in Ayodhya: On the bank, one of the well maintained and super clean ghats of Ram Ki Pairi..Boating on the Saryu is a way to spend some wonderful time.

      This temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. It holds high religious significance for devotees and is one of the most visited temples. Devotees believe that Lord Hanuman lived in this temple, guarding the Lord Ram's residence.

      Kanak Bhawan Temple is one of the finest and famous temples in Ayodhya and is a must visit. It is believed that this Bhawan was gifted to Devi Sita by Kaikei immediately after her marriage to Lord Ram. This is private palace of Devi Sita and Lord Rama. Vikramaditya got it renovated.

    Ram and Sita in Chitrakoot Forest

    AYODHYA HOTELS:

    Sri Ram lala Dharmshala Top location. Offer facilities for disabled. Wheelchair accesible. No internet. 500 m from the centre of Ayodhya. Soundproof rooms have balconies. Sun Terrace. Garden. Outdoor fireplace. AC and Heat.Private bathrooms. Room service. Coffee Shop. Tour desk, ATM. Offer Lucknow airport shuttle.

    Janki Mahal Trust is a good Dharmshala with AC/non AC rooms offered at very reasonable tariff. Manas Bhawan Trust also offers AC room suits.

    MANY FAIZABAD HOTELS:

    Hotel Krinoscco Has lift/elevator. Right in the middle of Faizabad, very close to Ayodhya, Nice place to stay Ayodhya. Near to main temple. Nice place with very pleasing staff. Food quality is par excellence. Very good Rooms , great ambiance and 24 hours hot water. They help you with knowing Ayodhya so you can enjoy the city. 2 km away from mandir.

    Kohinoor Palace Kohinoor Palace, temples are very close to the hotel. Far from Ram Mandir. Anew hotel. No lift or elevator.! Location is easy to access from the city. Food is excellent do not have a dining room so breakfast is served in your room. Food is tasty though. Railway station close by. This is a popular wedding destination.

    THE 5 AVATAR ADVENTS IN INDIA

    Ram and Sita in Chitrakoot Forest

    AYODYA TO LUCKNOWL 2+ hour drive. Important not to drive this at night.

    LUCKNOW HOTELS: ...AND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
    Clarks Avade TC pool.  Near Hazratganj, the shopping district of Lucknow. 15 KM from the Lucknow Airport and 4 KM from the Lucknow Railway
    Renaissance Lucknow Pool. Hotel Set in a sleek tower, this upscale hotel is an 8-minute walk from Ambedkar Memorial Park and 3 km from the Hazratganj shopping area.
    Radisson Lucknow City Center TC pool.

    centralized location close to monuments and Bazar. Restaurant, Chinese

    Avatar in India

 

Krishna - Meher Baba

Meherabad, Meher Baba

MEHER BABA - MEHERA

From Pune. Drive to Meherabad

Story of Meher Baba STORY MEHER BABA

HOTELS IN PUNE:

Drive to Ahmednagar from Pune. 2hrs - SAMADHI VISIT

To visit: Avatar Meher Baba Samadhi Tomb Shrine.

Information about Avatar Meher Baba: https://avatarmeherbabatrust.org/

Avatar Meher Baba

His Universal Message: “You have asked for and been given enough words – it is now time to live them.” MEHER BABA OBSERVED SILENCE FOR 44 YEARS. Baba’s advent comes at the cycle of seven Avatars that began with Zoroaster, who, according to Baba, lived about 7,000 years ago, about 5,000 BC.  

Zarathustra, Rama, Krishna, Buddha, Jesus, Mohammed, and most recently Meher Baba

MEHER BABA'S WOMEN DISCIPLES: Eastern and Western.

Meher Baba dictated two books: 'The Discourses'. Meher Baba also dictated "God Speaks"

AVATAR MEHER BABA TOMB. MEHERABAD HILL ----------------------------

SAMADHI VISIT

MEHER BABA'S WOMEN DISCIPLES Eastern and Western.

Meher Baba Quotes:

Meher Baba quotes: “The rain falls on both rocks and the soil. But the water flows away down the rock, while the earth soaks it up. The rock does not derive any benefit from the rain, while the soil does. Although the rain falls equally on both, only the soil takes advantage of it. Similarly, my mercy and grace are on all. But only those on the plain deserve it, while those who go about as if they are on top of a high mountain do not benefit by it!”

" I come for all; I come to awaken all !”

"This universe has come out of God. God has not come out of the universe. Illusion has come out of Reality. Reality has not come out of illusion. God alone is Real; the universe by itself is illusion."

“The entire fabric of the universe serves but one purpose…: The realization of God.”

 “If a person wants to take the pearl from the bottom of the ocean, then he should not shout at the pearl to come up while he sits on the beach. If he really wants the pearl, he should try his hardest to plunge to the bottom of the ocean to get it.”

 “Happiest is he who expects no happiness from others. Love delights and glorifies in giving, not receiving. So learn to love and give, and not to expect anything from others.”

“Remember that the first step in spirituality is not to speak ill of others. All human beings have weaknesses and faults. Yet they are all God in their being. Until they become Realized, they have their imperfections. Therefore, before trying to find faults in others and speaking ill of them, try to find your own weaknesses and correct those.”

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INDEX Avatars in India

SAMADHI PROPOSED PROTECTIVE STRUCTURE In the near future a Superstructure must be built surrounding the Samadhi, THERE ARE MANY PROPOSASLS.... One persons' proposal, for building the superstructure, is on this page:

Story of Meher Baba STORY MEHER BABA

This website is dedicated to Avatar Meher Baba. Articles and website designed and edited by elenagh@live.com.

Elena lives in Puerto Rico but has traveled extensively in Northern India since 1975, until 2017. The India of my heart. I received all that Baba showed me of the beautiful spiritual India. I can't keep looking for something that doesn't exist anymore.....
Oh, how I loved it.

Elenas India stories: PERSONAL STORIES

INDEX Avatars in India