Destination

Ayodhya

Ayodhya sits on the banks of the Sarayu River and has been considered one of the seven sacred cities of India for as long as anyone has been making such lists. The city's identity is tied completely to the Ramayana and the belief that this is the birthplace of Ram, which means it has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries and is now undergoing a transformation in scale and infrastructure that is visible everywhere you look. The new Ram Mandir has changed the volume of visitors significantly but the ghats on the Sarayu, the smaller temples in the old lanes, and the particular rhythm of a city that organizes itself around dawn rituals and river bathing are still very much intact underneath all of it.

Places to stay in Ayodhya

Things to Do in Ayodhya

Top activities and experiences

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Ayodhya Ram Mandir

4.92-4 hours

Hanuman Garhi

4.71-2 hours

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Quick facts about Ayodhya

Local weather

28°33°

overcast clouds

Humidity

85%

Wind

3.16 m/s

Sun

32°26°

Mon

26°25°

Tue

28°25°

Wed

31°25°

General info

Time zone

05:30

Currency

INR

Official languages

Hindi, Awadhi, English

Best time to visit

OCT-MAR

Recommended trip duration

5 days

FAQs about Ayodhya

The city has seen a significant increase in visitors since the Ram Mandir consecration in January 2024. Weekends, Ram Navami in March to April, and Diwali in October to November are the busiest periods when accommodation books out and the temple queues can be several hours long. Weekday visits between December and February outside of festival dates give you the most manageable experience. Going to the Ram Mandir at opening time, usually before 7am, significantly reduces the wait.

Yes. The city has over two thousand years of documented history, multiple layers of religious and architectural heritage, and a ghat culture that is interesting independently of religious motivation. The new Ram Mandir is architecturally significant beyond its religious importance and the older temples and the Sarayu riverfront have a quality that rewards any kind of attentive visitor.

Ayodhya now has its own international airport, Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, with flights from Delhi, Mumbai, and several other cities. The railway junction has direct trains from Delhi, Lucknow, Varanasi, and other major UP cities. From Lucknow the road journey takes about 2.5 to 3 hours. Varanasi to Ayodhya is about 200 km and takes 3.5 to 4 hours.

Modest clothing covering shoulders and legs is required. Shoes are removed before entering the complex and there are storage facilities at the entrance. Photography rules inside the sanctum change periodically and current rules should be checked at the entrance. Large bags and certain electronic items may not be permitted inside, and storage is available outside the complex.