Kannauj: Where Lord Shri Ram came to the banks of river Ganga and hosted a feast for the Brahmins.

Kannauj residents say that the mythological city of Kannauj has been associated with Lord Shri Ram. Lord Shri Ram had come here on the banks of river Ganga and hosted a feast for the Brahmins and Mother Sita had cooked the food with her own hands. At this place situated on the banks of Ganga, devotees had built Chintamani temple where even today the Charan Paduka of Lord Shri is worshipped. A Kadamba tree has been growing in the temple courtyard for thousands of years. When the skin of this tree is peeled, Ram is found written on it.

The memory of Lord Shri Ram resides in the Chintamani temple situated on the banks of Mokshadayini Ganga and Kali river, about 25 kilometers from Kannauj headquarters. It is believed that Lord Shri Ram had set foot at this place, later the devotees of Ram converted it into a temple. According to folklore and beliefs, Lord Shri Ram had conquered Lanka and killed Mahapandit Ravana. After which he went to Guru Vishwamitra to remove the blame of Brahmahatya. On this he asked him to go to Muni Chintamani who was doing penance in the forest north of Kushanagari (ancient name of Kannauj). Lord Shri Ram came to Kannauj with Mother Sita and Lakshman in his Pushpak Viman. Vishwamitra and Hanuman were also with him. Here at Chintamani Ghat he hosted a feast for the Brahmins. Mother Sita had prepared food with her own hands. This place is still known as Sita Rasoi. Presently its ruins exist. Sita’s feet are also made here. Apart from this, there is also Yagyashala, where Lord Ram performed Yagya. Let us tell you that Muni Chintamani was the vice-chancellor of Vishwamitra’s father Raja Gadhi (King of Kannauj). People claim that it is mentioned in Shrimad Bhagwat. People believe that Lord Shri Ram had left his Charan Paduka here for welfare.

Ram Sevak Das, the head priest of the temple, says that Lord Shri Ram had left his feet at Chintamani Ghat for the welfare of the Brahmins. Even today, the Lord’s feet are installed in the temple built here. There are about ten footprints of the Lord in the temple premises, which are still present on the rocks. On Diwali and every Sunday, devotees worship the Lord’s feet and apply the dust of the feet here on their forehead. People also say that a thousand years old Kadamba tree is standing on the ghat. When the bark of a tree is removed, the shape of the name Ram appears on the trunk. Every Sunday people come here to worship. It is believed that every wish is fulfilled here.