Ayodhya

Ayodhya

pilgrimage site · Uttar Pradesh

Ayodhya is an ancient city on the banks of the sacred Saryu, revered as the birthplace of Lord Rama and one of the seven primary holy cities of Hinduism.

State
Uttar Pradesh
Type
Pilgrimage Site
Best season
Winter
Things to do
5+

Ayodhya is an ancient city on the banks of the sacred Saryu, revered as the birthplace of Lord Rama and one of the seven primary holy cities of Hinduism. Since the consecration of the newly built Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, the city has been rebuilt around it on a scale that has changed the place entirely. Centuries-old temples now sit alongside new roads and walkways laid for visitors. The Ram Mandir, constructed without a single piece of iron or steel, is approached across wide pedestrian plazas. Climb the high stone steps of Hanuman Garhi, or come down to the Ram Ki Pauri ghats in the evening when the lights are on the water — the devotion is the first thing you notice.

When to go

October to March, when winter days are cool enough for the long walks between temples.

Why visit

The new temple opened in January 2024 and construction is still going on around it. Security is tight and phones are not allowed inside, so plan for a locker. Ram Ki Paidi on the Saryu and Hanuman Garhi up its steps are the older parts of town.

Cultural notes

Ayodhya is older than the Ramayana itself, the proud capital of the solar Ikshvaku dynasty, and it sits at the centre of how India understands its own past. It has also long mattered to Jainism and Buddhism: several Tirthankaras are believed to have been born along these Saryu river plains.

How to reach

Served directly by the newly opened Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, 8 km from the centre, and by Ayodhya Dham Junction Railway Station. A four-lane national highway runs in from Lucknow, a 2.5-hour drive.

Ayodhya in 2 days

See the full itinerary

2 days in Ayodhya

Take the whole plan, or add any single stop.

Day 1

Kanak Bhawan

Kanak Bhawan

Day 1

Sarayu Aarti at Ram Ki Paidi

Sarayu Aarti at Ram Ki Paidi

Day 2

Day 2

Nageshwarnath Temple

Nageshwarnath Temple

Day 2

Sarayu boat ride

Sarayu boat ride

Day 2

Guptar Ghat

Guptar Ghat

Ayodhya guide & itineraries

Ayodhya is perfect for

spiritualheritagefamily

What & where to eat

Jalebi

Near the temples

Jalebi

Temple-town breakfast

Kachori-Sabzi

Near the temples

Kachori-Sabzi

Temple-town breakfast

Chaat

Chaat

Street snacks

samosa

samosa

Street snacks

Thandai

Thandai

Cooling drinks

Lassi

Lassi

Cooling drinks

Ayodhya vegetarian thali

Ayodhya vegetarian thali

Pure-veg pilgrim meals (Ayodhya is vegetarian)

milk sweets

milk sweets

Sweets sold near the temples

Peda

Peda

Sweets sold near the temples

Nearby getaways

Faizabad

~10 km

Things to do

How to spend your time in Ayodhya.

Ram Ki Paidi ghats

Ram Ki Paidi ghats

Riverfront ghats on the Sarayu

Sarayu Aarti & boat ride

Sarayu Aarti & boat ride

Evening river worship and boating

Kanak Bhawan & Nageshwarnath

Kanak Bhawan & Nageshwarnath

Historic Ayodhya temples

Popular attractions

The places in Ayodhya most people come for.

Frequently asked questions

How do I take darshan at Ram Mandir?

Follow the designated queue; check current timings and rules, and travel light as bags and phones may be restricted.

How many days for Ayodhya?

1-2 days for the Ram Mandir, old-town temples and the Sarayu ghats.

Festivals around Uttar Pradesh

Time your trip around something unforgettable.

Dev Diwali, VaranasiNovember

Dev Diwali, Varanasi

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Over 5 million pilgrims and tourists

Explore festival →

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