Ayodhya is an ancient and holy city in the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh. The city, also known as Saket by the local people, is the birthplace of Hindu God Shri Ram. Therefore, Ayodhya is among the principal religious centers of India. According to one theory, the legendary Ayodhya city is the same as the historical city of Saket and the present-day Ayodhya.

According to another theory, the legendary Ayodhya is a mythical city, and the name "Ayodhya" came to be used for the Saket (present-day Ayodhya) only around the fourth century, when a Gupta emperor (probably Skandagupta) moved his capital to Saket and renamed it to Ayodhya after the legendary city. Alternative, but less likely, theories state that Saket and Ayodhya were two adjoining cities, or that Ayodhya was a locality within the Saket city. Ayodhya is famous for its agri and food processing products including Sugar, Jaggery, Vinegar and other derivatives for Sugarcane. The district is among the major production centers of Sugarcane in the country. Additionally, the district is famous for Cotton textiles, Readymade garments, metal based – steel fabrication, repairing and servicing are among industrial sectors in the district.

Ayodhya is situated on the banks of holy river Saryu. in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh located at 26.47 N and 82.12 E. It is surrounded by Barabanki, Gonda, Basti, Ambedkar Nagar and Sultanpur districts. The National Highway No.27 which connects New Delhi to Nepal passes through Ayodhya district.
It is the headquarter of Ayodhya District and Ayodhya division. Ayodhya has a humid subtropical climate, typical of central India. Summers are long, dry and hot, lasting from late March to mid-June, with average daily temperatures near 32 °C (90 °F). Total area of Ayodhya District is 2,643 sq. km. Ayodhya is well connected with major cities of India through road, rail and air. Airways- Nearest airports are Ayodhya International Airport (128 km), Allahabad Airport (144 km) and Varanasi International Airport (200 km). Faizabad Airport: Faizabad has an old airport and flying school at naka along national highway (NH28). Railways- The Indian Railways network connects Faizabad directly with Kanpur (4 hours) Ayodhya (3 hours.), Varanasi (4 hours.) and Allahabad (5 hours). A few mail express trains also connect Faizabad to Kolkata, New Delhi and Mumbai. Roadways- Ayodhya is situated on National Highway 28 and has good connectivity with Kanpur (213 km), Ayodhya (127 km), Varanasi (202 km), Allahabad (161 km) and Gorakhpur (165 km).

The topography of Ayodhya is comprise of alluvial soil, sand, gravels. The mountain, plateau and other geographical reliefs are missing as an entire district belongs to Gangatic plain. The general slope of relief is west to east and stretch is about 130 KM. The major river is Saryu, Marha. Ayodhya district has almost nil minerals availability. There are only sand, building materials which are extracted from river Saryu. As per Department of Mines and Geology, there are no major minerals resources available in Ayodhya. Ayodhya district has almost nil minerals availability. There are only sand, building materials which are extracted from river Saryu.
In Ayodhya district, the forest area is 3038 Hec,net area sown 134236 Hec, cultivable area 205199 Hec. As far as the form of natural vegetation in Ayodhya is concerned, there are various types of trees like Sagon ,Haldu, Sal, Shisham, Tibau, Mahua, Bass ,Neem, Jamun, Mayo etc. Sandy Lomay and clay are the types of soils found in Faizabad. Ayodhya is mainly an agricultural district in which the main crops are sugarcane, wheat, maize, pigeon pea and rice.

As given in the following table, Micro enterprises and artisanal units are scattered all over the Ayodhya district. These units are primarily dependent on the small job work doled out by the small and medium industries. Majority of such enterprises are not registered with the DIEPC.

The total export from Ayodhya is approximately INR128 Crorefor the period September 2020 to November 2021.
Apart from the above-mentioned products, Tourism from Ayodhya has tremendous untapped potential. The details of Tourism sector are mentioned below.

Ayodhya district has abundant supply of Sugarcane to produce Jaggery. Ayodhya jaggery cluster encompasses more than 150 units out of which around 20 units are registered with more than 3000 number of workers in the district.

Ayodhya district has abundant supply of Sugarcane to produce Jaggery. Ayodhya jaggery cluster encompasses more than 150 units out of which around 20 units are registered with more than 3000 number of workers in the district. The units are mainly operating in small units and the area ranges from 6000 sq. ft. to 8000 sq.ft. They mainly produce Jaggery powder, jaggery biscuits, jaggery syrups, etc. The major areas/villages found in making of jaggery includes Pura Bazar, Naya Bazar, Gangoli, Tarun, Masodha, Darshan Nagar, Showal, etc.Sugarcane is abundantly available and only 5% of the sugarcane production is being consumed for jaggery production so scope is vast.
Apart from its household use, it is used in large quantities in restaurants, roadside dhabas, other eateries, hostels and clubs and by caterers. It has self-life of more than couple of months. In view of constantly growing market, is should not be difficult for a new entrant to enter and capture the market. There are many factors, which would help this industry to grow in Ayodhya.
► Labour - Availability of local farmers, low wageworkers
► Raw material - Especially, Sugarcane is abundantly available and only 5% of the sugarcane production is being consumed for jaggery production. Scope is vast.
► Infrastructure – Traditional jaggery plants are available, modern technology enabled infrastructure can boost the industry
► Connectivity – Road and railway connectivity to major cities are available

The focus product under the ODOP scheme has been selected as the Jaggery products because this district has abundance of Sugarcane production as a raw material, and it is the primary material required for Jaggery production.
Currently Sugarcane is cultivated in more than 47000 hectares and more than 2 Million MT of Sugarcane is being produced each year. However, more than 75% of sugarcane is processed in Sugar mills to produce Sugar. Considering the huge potential of Jaggery production in the district and its health benefits, Jaggery has been chosen as the focused product so that infrastructure can be created under the ODOP Scheme and more employment can be created in the district.

The following are the key products manufactured in the cluster: 1. Organic Jaggery 2. Value added products 3. Solid Jaggery 4. Liquid Jaggery 5. Granular or Powder Jaggery
► Organic Jaggery Organic Jaggery Powder is produced from sugarcane cultivated in organic farms spread across India without application of chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Processing is done without using any toxic and harsh chemicals used to clarify cane sugar. It is derived from the process of evaporation of raw sugarcane juice without separating the molasses from the crystals. It is characterized with a soft texture. Colour of Organic Jaggery varies from yellow to dark brown. Unlike refined sugar coming from chemical processing, Jaggery retains trace minerals and vitamins, and hence is a healthy and nutrient rich sweetener. It is often used in place of sugar for sweeting the beverages in rural India. None of the traditional Indian sweets are baked without addition of Jaggery. Production of organic jaggery is marginal in the district because of absence of organic farms in the district. ;

► Value added products Value added products of Jaggery (Gur) like Confectionary Products, Ayurvedic Jaggery, Gur-Patti, Gur Laia Laddu, Ram Dana Laddu, Til Laddu, Gur Ghazak, GurChocolate, Gur Burfi and Gur Containing Nutritional and Medicinal Substances are being manufactured. Other Jaggery Products: Jaggery Powder, Jaggery Cookies, Jaggery Biscuits
► Solid/ Molded Jaggery The filtered cane juice was pumped into open pans kept on triple pan furnace and heated with the bagasse as fuel.
► Liquid Jaggery: It is an intermediate product obtained during concentration of purified sugarcane juice during jaggery making and is semi liquid syrup like product. At 104 0C temperature of the juice, liquid jaggery stage is attained. The boiling pan is then removed from furnace and the liquid jaggery is filled in stainless steel containers for cooling. The liquid jaggery settles naturally in 8 to 9 days.To avoid crystallization, citric acid is applied @ 400mg/1kg.For preservation of liquid jiggery, potassium metabisulphite @ 1 gm/1 kg is mixed in liquid jiggery. After settling, liquid jaggery is filtered slowly without disturbing the sediment deposited at bottom of container. It is then allowed for gentle boiling. The hot liquid jaggery is filled in container. It is then allowed for gentle boiling. The hot liquid jaggery is filled in sterilized glass bottles and immediately capped.
► Granular or Powder Jaggery: The process of making granular jaggery is similar up to concentration. The concentrating slurry is rubbed with wooden scrapper, for formation of grains. The granular jaggery is then cooled and sieved. Less than 3 mm sized crystals are found to be better for quality granular jaggery. Jaggery (Gur) in powder form has better colour, very low moisture content with high keeping quality and easy to use however, the jaggery powder is prepared manually. For powder making jaggery (Gur) is further concentrated up to 120 to 122oC temp. and then poured in cooling pit. With wooden marker cross lines are drawn over jaggery (Gur) mass kept in cooling pit in order to get small jiggery pieces. Jaggery pieces kept under cloth cover are dried in sun. Dried jaggery (Gur) is reduced to powder form by wooden hammer. After screening and drying, powder jaggery (Gur) is filled in polythene bags as per size grades.

Cluster Stakeholders

Following are four principal Industry Associations/SPVs that are working for the development of jaggeryproducts in Ayodhya: • Financial Institutions: The leading bank of Ayodhya is Bank of Baroda, which is supporting DIEPC in getting industries loans from the bank through ODOP financial assistance scheme and other schemes of Government of India like Mudra Yojana, PMEGY, etc. There are more than 214 branches of different banks operating from the district who are providing financial assistance to farmers and industries. • District Horticulture Department: They are providing loans to farmers on subsidy. In addition, the department is providing necessary handholding support in getting required knowledge for cultivation. The department is also providing field training to farmers for increasing productivity and efficiency in the production process. ;
• District Industry and Enterprise Promotion Center (DIEPC): It is a nodal agency of the state government in the district for promotion of industries. Its mandate is to coordinate and facilitate industrial development and provide free services in area of project identification etc. and plays an important role as facilitator for Govt. sponsored schemes like Mudra Yojana, ODOP Scheme, etc. It is designated agency for issuance of provisional and final registration certificates in respect of SSI units. DIEPC has its office situated in Ayodhya and works for the development of the cluster. The DIEPC also helps entrepreneurs in establishment of new units in district. Various schemes of the Government are being promoted catering to the needs of already established as well as budding entrepreneurs. Micro, Small & Medium Industries Development Institute (MSME DI): It is an outfit of the ministry of MSME, GoI created to provide micro consultancy to MSME. Its services are free but usage by units is marginal. Recently they are also implementing cluster development programme of the ministry of MSME, GoI but to date no cluster in respect of leather sector has been adopted by them. Contact Name: Ashutosh Singh (DCDIC); No.: 05278-222280 • District Sugarcane Department: This dept. is also present in the district who trains farmer on more advanced technologies of farming and provide quality seeds to the farmers for sowing. Contact Name: Srimati. Usha Pal (Deputy Cane Commissioner) Contact No.: +91- 7081202206, 05278-261320 Email: dyccfaizabad@gmail.com • Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology: The University is the only agricultural university in the Ayodhya division, taking care of agricultural and educational needs of farmers and students. Contact Name: Dr. P.K Singh; Contact No.: +91-8127341504 Email: registrar.nd.15@gmail.com Address:Narendra Deva University of Agriculture & Technology Kumarganj, Ayodhya, 224 229 (U.P.) • Lal Bahadur Shastri Ganna Kisan Sansthan, Lucknow. Below are the objectives of Sansthan: i. To provide training on scientific ways of sugarcane production to farmers and department officials/workers of the state. ii. To make the training easy and understandable by using latest audio-visual mediums in the training programmes. iii. To publicise progressive farming of sugarcane by publishing sugarcane farming papers and magazines, pamphlets, charts, sugarcane poster magazine. iv. To organize exhibitions and conferences related with sugarcane development. v. To organize intra state educational tours, inter-state educational tours and international educational tours to provide information about sugarcane production and latest scientific ways of farming and management processes to farmers and officials/workers. vi. To increase sugarcane yield and sugar production and organize training programmes for awareness of farmers in low sugarcane yield regions of the state while establishing coordination between sugarcane development and sugar industry as well as research organizations. Contact Name:Shri Sanjay R Bhoosreddy ; Contact No.:0522 - 2207986,84 ; Email: directorlbsgkslko@gmail.com Address:11, Butler Road, Tilak Marg, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

Ayodhya is popular for Jaggery production in Uttar Pradesh. Sugarcane is one of the most important crops of the district for many years and has been constantly on the increase. In this district, there are more than 150 units engaged in Jaggery production.

Current Scenario Ayodhya is popular for Jaggery production in Uttar Pradesh. Sugarcane is one of the most important crops of the district for many years and has been constantly on the increase. In this district, there are more than 150 units engaged in Jaggery production. The major areas/villages found in making of jaggery includes Pura Bazar, Naya Bazar, Gangoli, Tarun, Masodha, Darshan Nagar, Showal, etc. The Ayodhya district has abundant supply of Sugarcane to produce Jaggery. ;
Apart from its household use, it is used in large quantities in restaurants, roadside dhabas, other eateries, hostels and clubs and by caterers, and is increasingly becoming a replacement for sugar in healthy snacks. It has shelf-life of more than couple of months. In view of constantly growing market, it should not be difficult for a new entrant to enter and capture the market.

India accounts for more than 60% of world jaggery production, but Brazil is the major exporter.Major Export Destinations in 2018-19 are Sri Lanka, Nepal, Benin, USA, and Indonesia. It is estimated that there are approximately 50 Khandsari Sugar manufacturing units and approx. 1,00,000 Jaggery manufacturing units in the country. These units are MSMEs. The Khandsari Sugar sector is shrinking whereas Jaggery sector is expanding in the country.
Product 170113(10): Raw cane sugar, in solid form, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter, obtained without centrifugation, with sucrose content 69° to 93°, containing only natural anhedral microcrystals Product 170114(90):Raw cane sugar, in solid form, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter Major importers for this product in the world are as depicted below ; Figure 5: Top importers of the Product under Product Code 170114 As various products are manufactured and sold under the different product categories of jaggery for the district of Muzaffarnagar and Ayodhya of Uttar Pradesh . In order to gauge our understanding of where India stands relative to the world on the trade of these products, each product has been delved into as a separate unit defined by its exports and imports in comparison to its competition and potential markets to target in the future. The consolidated list of countries that India can target, respective to the analysis carried out in each chapter are Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Uzbekistan, USA, Indonesia, Malaysia and South Korea as mapped below.

Ayodhya is a significant spiritual centre for other faiths as well, Jainism. The buzz of life as usual, fervour of visiting devotees, chiming temple bells and melodious chanting, all offer Ayodhya a singular spiritual ambience. Ayodhya is likely to become the hottest new tourist attraction in India.

Ayodhya is a significant spiritual centre for other faiths as well, Jainism. The buzz of life as usual, fervour of visiting devotees, chiming temple bells and melodious chanting, all offer Ayodhya a singular spiritual ambience. Ayodhya is likely to become the hottest new tourist attraction in India. The makeshift Ram temple in the city already attracts more than 3 million visitors a year from different parts of the country, a number which is set to swell with the Supreme Court paving the way for the construction of a grand temple at the site Hindus believe to be the birth spot of Lord Ram.
Home to countless multi-faith temples, as many Dharamshalas (hermitages) and Akhadas (resting places for sadhu), the place is further enlivened by the presence of all manner of supplicant, sage, scholars and such like.

Being the birthplace of Sri Rama and Historical place of Indian history, several religious and historical places are worth visiting in Ayodhya. Some of them are Ram Ki paidi, Jain Temple, Birla Temple, Gulab Bari, Bahu Begum ka Maqbara, Kanak Bhawan, Naya Ghat, Guptar Ghat, Military Temple, etc.There are several attractions for the tourists in Ayodhya, which includes various Ghats around the Saryu, Temples and historical places such as: Nageshwar Nath Temple This temple is at Ram Ki Paidi in Ayodhya. The temple of Nageshwarnath is said to have been established by Kush, the son of Rama. Legend is that Kush lost his armlet, while bathing in the Saryu, which was picked up by a Nag-Kanya, who fell in love with him. As she was a devotee of Shiva, Kush erected this temple for her. Even till the times of Vikramaditya the temple was in good shape. The present temple was built in 1750 by the minister of Safdar Jung, named Naval Rai. The festival of Shivratri is celebrated here in a big way, and Shiv Barat procession is taken out during these celebrations which is particularly significant. During the festival time of Mahashivratri the temple receives thousands of devotees. Deokaali This temple is associated with several tales from the Ramayana and is situated near Naya Ghat. As per mythology, Mother Sita after her wedding with Lord Rama arrived in Ayodhya with an idol of goddess Girija Devi. King Dashrath got a beautiful temple constructed for the idol and Mother Sita used to worship the Devi in the temple. An impressive statue of Goddess Devkali, the local deity, is present now. Ram Ki Paidi Ram ki Paidi is a series of ghats on the bank of River Saryu. The river front brings forth an outstanding Landscape especially in floodlit night. These serve as platforms to devotees who it is said, come to wash away their sins by taking a dip in the river.
Birla Temple Shri Ram Janaki Birla Temple is a newly made temple. It is located opposite to the Ayodhya Bus stop on the way of Ayodhya-Faizabad. This temple is dedicated to Lord Ram and Devi Sita. Hanuman Garhiz Hanuman Garhi is 1 km from Ayodhya railway station. Vikramaditya got a temple constructed which later on came to be known as Hanuman Garhi. It is believed that Lord Hanuman (Pavan Putra) lived here guard Ayodhya. You will find here a beautiful idol of Bal (young) sitting on lap of Maa Anjani at the main temple. Kanak Bhawan Kanak Bhawan is to the north-east of Ram Janam Bhumi, Ramkot, in Ayodhya. Kanak Bhawan is one of the finest and famous temples in Ayodhya and is a must visit. It is believed that this Bhawan was gifted to Devi Sita by Kaikei immediately after her marriage to Lord Ram. This is private palace of Devi Sita and Lord Rama. Vikramaditya got it renovated. Later it was rebuilt/renovated by Vrish Bhanu Kunwari which exists even today. The main idols installed in the garbhgrih (sanctum), are of Lord Ram and Devi Sita. Gulab Bari Gulab Bari (literally meaning ‘Garden of Roses’) the Tomb of Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula is in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India. This place has a good collection of roses of various varieties set by the sides of water fountains. Gulab Bari is the maqbara (Mausoleum) of Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula, the third Nawab of Oudh (now Awadh) in the campus. The tomb proper stands in the centre of a Charbagh Garden accompanied by fountains and shallow water channels. Gulab Bari is not only a spot that needs to be visited; it is a place of worship and various cultural events. The locals treat it as a holy place. It is said that the monument is connected to a boali in Lucknow and used to be hiding place for the successors of the Nawab Shuja-ud-daula. Jain Shwetamber Temple Ayodhya is the place where 18 ‘Kalyanak’ of different ‘tirthankars’ have taken place. Five Thirthankars were born and preached their religious values here, they include Adinath, Ajitnath, Abhinandannath, Sumatinath, Ananthnath. Kesari Singh, the treasurer of Nawab of Faizabad, got the five Jain shrines constructed to mark the birthplace of these Thirthankers. This temple of Digamber Jain sect is dedicated to first Tirthanker Rishabhdev, who is also known as Adinath, Purdev, Vrishabhdev and Adi Brahma.This magnificent, majestic new temple popularly known as Badi Murti is situated in Raiganj locality of Ayodhya. Here a 31 feet high marble statue of Rishabhdev is installed. This place has been recently developed with the blessings of Acharya ratna Deshbhushanji Maharaj and Aryika Gyanmati Mataji.

Current Scenario The Ayodhya district administration says more than 7,000 devotees offer prayers at the makeshift Ram temple every day.Although, Ayodhya has witnessed a fair growth in tourist numbers, about 22% in last five years, the main town area has not been able to see the development that can be envisaged for a city of such historical importance. Specifically, the international tourist market is largely untapped in the city. The number of international tourists visiting Ayodhya in 2017 has been only 24,000 approximately in 2017, which has the potential to get enhanced significantly.
Ayodhya forms an integral part of the Ramayana Circuit along with Shringverpur and Chitrakoot. The Ministry of Tourism had launched the Swadesh Darshan Scheme in 2014-15 with an aim to develop theme-based tourist circuits in the country. The Ramayana Circuit was approved under the scheme, wherein various projects for comprehensive development of Ayodhya were approved for a handsome budget.