Tulsi Smarak Bhawan
Built in the memory of Goswami Tulsidas, who authored the Ramcharitmanas in Awadhi language and the Hanuman Chalisa, the Tulsi Smarak Bhawan houses the Ayodhya Shodh Sansthan (Ayodhya Research Centre). It is an organisation that studies and ascribes the cultural, spiritual and literary tradition of the city of Ayodhya. The bhawan also houses a round-the-year exhibition on Ramayana art and craft and a library. Daily enactment of Ramlila and recitation of Ramkantha also takes place here. Tulsi Smarak Bhawan hosts various religious events, prayer meetings along with plays that are performed by veteran artistes. Ramkantha Museum was established within the institution, in 1988, and through its collection of antiques, it brings forward the historical perspective of the city.
At a distance of 1 km from Ayodhya Junction, Tulsi Smarak Bhavan is a museum situated in Saheed Marg, Ayodhya. It is one of the popular Ayodhya sightseeing places.
Tulsi Smarak Bhawan was constructed in 1969 by the initiative of Shri Vishwanath Das ji, the then Governor of UP in memory of 16th-century poet-philosopher Goswami Tulsidas Ji. Goswami Tulsidas Ji is best remembered for authoring the Ramcharitmanas in the Awadhi language and is also believed to have composed Hanuman Chalisa. It is believed that Sant Tulsi Dass wrote his Ramcharitmanas at this place.
The Smarak has a research institute called Ayodhya Shodh Sansthan. It contains a big library which is of immense value to historians and scholars. The Smarak also houses Ram Katha Sanghrahalaya, a museum that was added in 1988. The museum aims to collect, conserve and display the antiquities associated with the saga of Shri Ram. The Bhawan also boasts of a cultural center for performing arts where Ramleela has been played from 6 pm - 9 pm every day since 2004. The center also holds prayers, religious discussions, sermons, devotional songs, music, and kirtan. Tulsi Jayanti is celebrated with much fervor and zeal on the seventh day of Sharavan month.
