Why is Ayodhya important in the Ramayana?

In the Ramayana, Ayodhya is of central importance as the birthplace of Rama, who is revered in Hinduism as an incarnation of the god Vishnu.12

Beyond its significance as Rama's birthplace, the city is historically associated with the rule of his father, King Dasharatha. Because of these deep ties to the epic, Ayodhya is considered one of the Sapta Puri, or the "Seven Cities of Liberation." Pilgrimage to these sacred sites is believed to grant spiritual merit and assist in attaining moksha, or liberation from the cycle of rebirth.21