Ram Tirath Mandir

The sacred city of Amritsar founded by the fourth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Ram Dass Sahib has a special significance in Hindu religion also because of the various mythological and historical links. Amritsar is believed to be the birth place of Luv and Kush, the sons of Lord Rama and Devi Sita. Ram Tirath Mandir is located 11 km west of Amritsar and attracts huge number of devotees because of its immense religious value. This place was once the ashram of saint Valmiki who is believed to have written many of his sacred manuscripts here.

As per mythological beliefs, Devi Sita got shelter in Maharishi Valmiki’s ashram after Lord Rama left her. She gave birth to Luv and Kush at this ashram where they spent their early childhood. Maharishi Valmiki trained and made them skillful in the religious and social life along with minutiae of warfare. A hut of Maharishi Valmiki can still be seen where Devi Sita gave birth to Luv and Kush. There is a large sacred tank here that is said to have been dug by Shri Hanuman ji himself.

Thousands of devotees visit this place every year to offer their prayers to Lord Rama and Devi Sita. A large number of tourists visit ashram from all over India. After Diwali every year, a five days long fair is organized at this place which is a huge attraction for the people. One of the important attractions is the holy pool which is believed to be dug by Shri Hanuman ji. The perimeter of this pool is about 3km with small temples on its sides. Pilgrims take a dip in the sacred tank in the early hours and take a parkarma (round) of the tank while chanting mantras.

Floating of tullas is considered as a special feature of the fair. Women light lamps made of kneaded flour and fed with pure ghee or mustard oil place them on leaf plates and float them in the tank. People recite devotional songs and hymns. This ceremony of tulla toarna (floating of tullas) is believed to wash off the sins and to please Lord Rama.

Approximately one lakh pilgrims visit Ram Tirath Mandir during the fair every year. A large number of jatadhari (long haired) sadhus (saints) also attend the fair and sit here in meditation. People visit from far and nearby places to take part in the fair and pay respect at the temple. Women visit this temple in huge number to take a dip in the baoli known as ‘Mata Sita di baoli’ on puran mashi (full moon night). This fair is also famous as Ram Tirath Mela (festival) and a lot of entertainment arrangements are done here. Children enjoy merry go rounds, acrobatic acts, magic shows, exhibition of animals, devotional singing, etc.