Ayodhya has become one of the most visited places in India since the Ram Mandir opened. Plan a morning at the temple, climb the steps to Hanuman Garhi, see Kanak Bhawan, and finish at the Saryu ghats for the evening aarti. Deepotsav on the eve of Diwali lights the whole riverfront with lamps.
Highlights
- Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir
- Hanuman Garhi
- Kanak Bhawan
- Saryu aarti at Ram ki Paidi and Naya Ghat
- Deepotsav on the eve of Diwali
What to eat
- Puri sabzi and kachori
- Peda and laddu prasad
- Malaiyyo in winter
Where to stay
New hotels have opened around Ayodhya Dham and on the Faizabad side; Lucknow (130 km) has many more.
Getting there
Maharishi Valmiki International Airport (AYJ) has domestic flights, and Ayodhya Dham station has direct trains including Vande Bharat. Lucknow airport is about 2.5 hours away by road.
Tips
- Phones, bags and most electronics are not allowed inside the Ram Mandir; use the free lockers.
- Darshan hours and rules change with crowds; check the temple trust’s announcements.
- Mornings are calmest; festival days are extremely crowded.
Best time to visit
Oct-Mar. See what else is good in October and our best time to visit India guide.
Temples and shrines near Ayodhya
- Ram Mandir, Ayodhya Lord Ram as a child (Ram Lalla)
Places to see in and around Ayodhya
14 places within 40 km. Tap I’ve been to add them to your India passport.
- Babri Masjid Mosque, 1 km
- Ram Mandir Temple, 1 km
- Ram Janmabhoomi Ancient site, 1 km
- Hanuman Garhi Temple Temple, 0 km
- Muhammad Bin Abdullah Mosque Mosque, 20 km
- Ram ki Paidi Ghat, 1 km
- Gulab Bari Monument, 5 km
- Bahu Begum ka Maqbara Monument, 7 km
- Darwan Lake Lake, 38 km
- Kanak Bhawan Temple, 0 km
- Ramrekha Mandir Temple, 19 km
- Makhauda Dham Temple, 14 km
- Ram statue Monument, 2 km
- Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary Wildlife sanctuary, 16 km
Food to try in and around Ayodhya
Uttar Pradesh favourites to look out for.
- Dum biryani
- Kebabs
- Nahari kulcha
- Sheermal
- Roomali roti
- Warqi paratha
- Samosa
- Kachori
- Chaat
- Sheer qorma
- Zarda
- Hathras Hing GI: spice or chilli
The full food passport, state by state.
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