Panjab Village Claims to be Ram's Birthplace

Residents of historic Gharram village, 18 km from Patiala, believe Lord Ram was born not in Ayodhya, but in their village in the palace of his maternal grandfather, the local Maharaja Khoh Ram. They cite a publication of Punjabi University, Patiala, titled Patiala and its Historical Surroundings, published in 1969, and some historic remains. Manmohan Kumar from Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, says that an excavation at Gharram was done in 1975-77. ‘Though no direct links of the village’s with the Ramayana could be established, centuries-old material was found. There is some land which, as per records, is still in the name of Luv-Kush — sons of Lord Ram.’ The villagers were hoping to be honored at the Ram Mandir consecration but were not invited for the program, nor was the village mentioned. Meanwhile, a bumper crop of kinnows this season has resulted in a drop in its price which has upset the farmers as they are not even able to recover their investment. After suggesting kinnows be distributed to school children as part of midday meals, they are now asking the government to arrange the fruit to be sent to Ayodhya as part of langar for the Ram Mandir (temple) visitors. (SDW Vol. 2 Issue 3, Story 5). The union government is running special trains from Panjab to Ayodhya in February so people can visit the Ram Mandir. On 22 Jan, Panjab was upbeat. The cities were spruced-up, streets illuminated, and Jai Shree Ram saffron flags went up on stalls and 

several buildings.