Ayodhya Travel Guide 2026

Ayodhya, on the banks of the Saryu in Uttar Pradesh, is the city traditionally revered as the birthplace of Lord Ram. It is one of Hinduism’s seven sacred Saptapuri cities, and since the Ram Mandir opened to the public in January 2024 it has become one of India’s busiest pilgrimage destinations. The good news is that the city is now far easier to visit: it has its own airport, a rebuilt railway station and wide new approach roads.

This guide pulls together the details that matter for planning, using the temple trust’s own notices wherever possible, because timings and rules have changed several times since opening.

Quick facts

Ram Mandir darshan and aarti timings

Many blogs still show older timings. The trust’s website lists a revised schedule that applies from 18 April 2026. Darshan is run in seven slots through the day:

The three aartis listed by the trust are Mangal Aarti at 4:00 AM, Shringar Aarti at 6:00 AM and Shayan Aarti at 10:00 PM. These need a separate free aarti pass. A midday pause for the afternoon offering is also commonly reported, which is why there is no slot between 12 noon and 1 PM.

Quieter slots: the first slot of the morning and the last slot of the evening tend to be the calmest, and weekdays outside school holidays are easier than weekends.

Free passes: how to book

• Walk-in darshan is available to everyone with no booking.
• Time-slot (Sugam) darshan pass and aarti passes are booked free on the trust’s official portal, online.srjbtkshetra.org. A booked slot generally means a shorter queue, and it is worth doing in advance on weekends and festival dates.
• Carry a valid photo ID, and follow the instructions printed on your pass, since the trust specifically reminds visitors to do so.

Entry rules and what to carry

• No mobile phones or electronic items (including smartwatches, earphones and electronic car keys) inside the complex. Photography is not allowed.
• Bags, wallets, belts and similar items are restricted too. Free lockers and a cloakroom are available near the entrance, so carry as little as possible.
• Dress code: none is mandated, but modest, traditional-friendly clothing is expected. Wear footwear that is easy to remove.
• Accessibility: wheelchairs and assistance counters are provided, and priority arrangements exist for senior citizens.
• Security checks are strict, so allow extra time at peak hours.

How to reach Ayodhya

By air

Maharishi Valmiki International Airport (AYJ) opened on 30 December 2023 and is about 10–15 km from the city centre. Direct flights have operated from cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Chennai, but airline routes and schedules change, so check live fares before planning around a specific flight. Lucknow airport, roughly 125–150 km away, is the well-connected backup, and the road trip takes about 3 hours.

By train

The station was rebuilt and renamed Ayodhya Dham Junction at a cost of over ₹240 crore, with lifts, escalators, cloakrooms and waiting halls. Direct trains connect it to Delhi (including a Vande Bharat service to Anand Vihar), Lucknow, Varanasi, Mumbai and other cities. Nearby Faizabad Junction is the other railhead.

By road

UPSRTC buses run to Ayodhya around the clock. Distances listed by the trust: Lucknow about 130 km, Prayagraj about 160 km, Gorakhpur about 140 km, Varanasi about 200 km and Delhi about 636 km. A Varanasi–Ayodhya day trip is possible by car, but it means roughly 4 hours each way.

Getting around the city

Private cars are restricted near the temple at busy times. Use e-rickshaws and battery vehicles for short hops between Ram Mandir, Hanuman Garhi, Kanak Bhawan and the ghats, agree the fare before you start, and expect to walk the last stretch.

Places to see in Ayodhya

Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir

The main attraction is a three-storey temple in the Nagara style. Ram Lalla, the child form of Lord Ram, is enshrined on the ground floor. The Ram Darbar was installed on the first floor in 2025, and in November 2025 a saffron flag was hoisted on the 161-foot spire, which marked the formal end of the main structural construction. Plan 2–4 hours including queues and security.

Hanuman Garhi

A fort-like hilltop temple reached by a flight of 76 steps. Tradition says Hanuman guards Ayodhya from here, and many pilgrims visit it before Ram Mandir. Besan laddoo and boondi are the customary offerings, sold at stalls at the base. A cloakroom is available for bags and footwear. Visiting hours are usually early morning to late evening.

Kanak Bhawan

Known as the “Golden Palace”, this temple holds richly dressed idols of Ram and Sita. Tradition links it to a gift for Sita after her marriage. It is a short distance from Ram Mandir and is especially atmospheric in the evening.

Ram Ki Paidi and the Saryu ghats

A long stretch of stepped ghats on the Saryu, where pilgrims bathe and where the Deepotsav lamps are lit. The evening aarti around sunset is a highlight, and short boat rides are available at modest rates. Fix the boat price before boarding.

Guptar Ghat

A quieter, greener ghat where Lord Ram is believed to have entered the river at the end of his earthly life. Good for a calm sunset if Ram Ki Paidi feels too crowded.

Nageshwarnath Temple

A Shiva temple regarded as one of Ayodhya’s oldest, traditionally said to have been founded by Ram’s son Kush. It draws big crowds on Mahashivaratri.

Dashrath Bhawan, Tulsi Smarak Bhawan and Mani Parvat

Dashrath Bhawan is the palace-temple associated with Ram’s father. Tulsi Smarak Bhawan honours Tulsidas and hosts exhibitions and performances. Mani Parvat is a small mound with views over the city.

Ram Katha Park and Bharat Kund

Ram Katha Park is a landscaped riverside space used for cultural events. For a half-day extra, Bharat Kund at Nandigram, about 18 km south, is where Bharat is said to have lived for 14 years while Ram was in exile.

Sample itinerary

1 day (the essentials)

• Early morning: Hanuman Garhi, then Ram Mandir in your booked slot.
• Late morning: Kanak Bhawan and Dashrath Bhawan.
• Afternoon: lunch and rest, then Nageshwarnath Temple.
• Evening: Ram Ki Paidi and the Saryu aarti around sunset.

2 days (unhurried)

• Day 1: same as above, but spread out, with the aarti and a boat ride at the end.
• Day 2 morning: Guptar Ghat, Tulsi Smarak Bhawan and Mani Parvat.
• Day 2 afternoon: Ram Katha Park, or Bharat Kund if you have a car, then a second Ram Mandir visit or shopping for pedas and prasad.

Best time to visit and festivals

October to March is the most comfortable window, with mild days and cool nights. Summers are hot, and the monsoon brings humidity but thinner crowds. Festival dates draw the biggest crowds of the year, so expect long queues and full hotels.

Other busy occasions include Ram Navami in March or April and Vivah Panchami, which marks the wedding of Ram and Sita.

Food and local rules

Ayodhya is a vegetarian city. The administration has banned the sale and delivery of non-vegetarian food within a 15 km radius of the Ram temple, hotels and homestays have been warned not to serve it, and alcohol is prohibited in the area. Expect satvik Awadhi food, North Indian thalis, jalebi and the city’s famous pedas and laddoos, which are popular to carry home as prasad. Carry a refillable water bottle and choose busy, clean stalls.

Where to stay in Ayodhya

Hotel supply has grown a lot since 2024, but it is still tight on weekends and around festivals. The right area depends on how you plan to spend your time:

• Near Ram Mandir and Hanuman Garhi: the most convenient, but the busiest and most congested, especially on weekends.
• Ram Path and the NH-27 corridor: newer mid-range and upscale hotels roughly 2–3 km from the temple, with easier parking and a quicker e-rickshaw ride in.
• Ram Ki Paidi and the Saryu side: best if the evening aarti and boat rides are your priority.
• Near Ayodhya Dham Junction or Faizabad: cheaper lodges, handy for early or late trains.
• Dharamshalas and guest houses: trust-run lodgings about 1–2.5 km from the temple, a good budget choice for families and groups.

As a rough guide, simple lodges start at around ₹800–1,000 a night and mid-range hotels commonly run from about ₹1,200 to ₹3,000, with higher rates in festival weeks. Prices change quickly, so compare live rates before you commit.

FAQ

Sources used: the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust website (srjbtkshetra.org), Press Information Bureau and Prime Minister’s Office releases on the railway station and airport, Incredible India, and Uttar Pradesh administration announcements as reported by national media. Rules, timings and prices can change, so verify with official sources before you travel.