A city famous as the capital of the Suryavanshi kings. All the kings of the Ikshvaku dynasty ruled from here. Vasishta came to Ayodhya during the reign of the king Kanmashapada, who was the 35th king of the dynasty. One, when Kanmashapada had gone to the jungles for a hunt, he had an argument with Vasishta, who turned him into a rakshasa. After the curse had been lifted, the king asked Vasishta for forgiveness and they became good friends. As per the king’s request, Vasishta came to Ayodhya. The king Ashmaka was born to Vasishta and Kanmashapada’s wife. Vasishta visited Ayodhya regularly and became the guru of the Ikshvaku dynasty. Ayodhya prospered till the time of Rama, after which its decline started. Both the Mahabharata and the Brahmandapurana mention Ayodhya. (also see Kosala)