The birthplace of Ram, Ayodhya has been one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus.

Ayodhya, also known as Saketa, is an ancient city of India, is the birthplace of Rama and setting of the great epic Ramayana. It is situated on the banks of holy river Saryu in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The early Buddhist and Jain canonical texts mention that the religious leaders Gautama Buddha and Mahavira visited and lived in the city. The Jain texts also describe it as the birthplace of five tirthankaras namely, Rishabhanatha, Ajitanatha, Abhinandananatha, Sumatinath and Anantnath, and associate it with the legendary Bharata Chakravarti.

Ram is a symbol of sacrifice, a model of brotherhood, an ideal administrator, and a warrior unparalleled. The essence of Ram is the essence of excellence in every pursuit.

The principle of humanity an essence of being Ram. When the ways of crossing the ocean were being discussed, and it was suggested that Ram should make the ocean dry up, he resisted. Rama initiated a puja to placate the sea god to allow for the way. Three days passed but the sea god was unrelenting. Then Rama decided to use his divine astras, and dry up the ocean. This made the god appear before him. With folded hands he entreated Rama not to dry the ocean, as it would mean death to all sea creatures.

Lord Ram, in the words of Swami Vivekananda, is "whose stream of love flowed with resistless might even to the Chandala". He was a kind soul, who wished well for every creature on earth.

Ram's philosophy was that the ultimate Dharma was doing good to others. There was no greater adharma than causing others to suffer.

In this Kalyuga, in Ram's Ayodhya, why should animals suffer? Just like 'Palitana', let us make 'Ayodhya' a fully vegetarian city.

Image: Image taken from Google Images and credit goes to taker.