The city of Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, as it is known within sacred grounds, is situated on the right bank of the river Saryu. The well-known pilgrimage site of Ayodhya is only 6 miles from Faizabad. Lord Rama, the seventh manifestation of Lord Vishnu, has a strong connection to this town. It served as the seat of government for the Surya dynasty’s descendants for many years, whose most famous ruler was Lord Rama. In the past, Ayodhya was known as Kaushaldesa.
One of the seven holiest towns to the Hindus is Ayodhya, which is situated in Uttar Pradesh besides the Sarayu River. Since Ayodhya is thought to be the location of Lord Rama’s birth, it plays a significant part in the Hindu epic Ramayana. Four of Jainism’s 24 Tirthankaras (religious leaders) were born in this sacred town, which draws tourists with its tranquil ghats.
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Ayodhya has been the subject of debate for about ten years, with its abundance of monkeys, tourist commotion, and overall spiritual vibe. It is where the 1992 Indian riots connected to the Babri Masjid controversy took place. The mosque, which Muslims and Hindus claim was constructed on the site of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, became a point of conflict. Ayodhya saw a terrorist attack in 2005 at the location of Ramlalla Temple.
Despite the controversy, Ayodhya has developed into an important spiritual hub and offers travelers a wealth of color and spirituality to experience. The traffic-free streets of Ayodhya, the home of numerous temples representing various religions, are intriguing enough to be worth a visit.
Best Tourist Places To Visit In Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh
Ayodhya, known for being the birthplace of Lord Ram, is a significant pilgrimage site located 134 kilometers from Lucknow. In the twin cities of Faizabad and Ayodhya, mosques and temples coexist in architectural splendor. Here, the Saryu ghats bring to life a profoundly spiritual experience. Nawab of Awdh Sadat Khan constructed Faizabad, and Nawab Shujauddaula later made it the capital of Awdh.
1. Ram Janmabhoomi
The Ram Janmabhoomi, which translates to “the Birthplace of Ram,” is thought to have been the location of Lord Ram’s birth as a Hindu god. The seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu, Ram, is claimed to have grown up near the Sarayu River in Ayodhya, according to the Indian epic Ramayan. Hindu worshipers immensely venerate this location.
2. Hanuman Garhi
Hanuman Garhi, a Hindu temple from the 10th century, is situated in Sai Nagar. As it is usual to visit Hanuman Garhi before visiting the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, it is one of the most significant temples in the city. Lord Hanuman supposedly resided at the location of the temple he used to watch over Ayodhya.
3. Kanak Bhawan
In Tulsi Nagar, the Kanak Bhawan is situated close to the northeastern corner of the Ram Janmabhoomi. This temple, also known as Sone-ka-Ghar, was built in 1891. It is a sacred location honoring Lord Rama, a Hindu god, and Goddess Sita, his wife.
Queen Vrishbhanu Kuvari of Teekamgarh (Madhya Pradesh) built the wonderfully decorated temple in 1891. Images of Sri Rama and Sita with gold crowns can be found at Kanak Bhawan. It also goes by the name Sone-Ke-Ghar Mandir.
4. Nageshwarnath Temple
The Nageshwarnath Temple, which was built in Ayodhya in honor of the local god Lord Nageshwarnath, is situated close to the Theri Bazaar. It is thought that Kush or Kusha, Lord Rama’s son, was responsible for setting it up.
5. Dashrath Bhawan
King Dashrath, the founder of Ayodhya and the father of Lord Sri Ram, originally called Dashrath Bhavan in Ramkot, Ayodhya, in Faizabad, home. Dashrath Mahal, often referred to as Bada Asthan or Badi Jagah, is home to majestic King Ram shrines.
This charming palace, which is thought to have served as both King Dasharath’s capital and the home of Lord Rama as a youngster, has an ornately designed entrance with lovely murals. Saffron-clad monks may be heard singing, dancing, and reciting mantras inside the palace.
The Dashrath Bhavan is a definite draw during celebrations like Ram Vivah, Karthik Mela, Diwali, Ram Navami, and Shravan Mela despite being less than the standard of a palace.
6. Guptar Ghat
Guptar Ghat, a revered location in Faizabad close to Ayodhya, is situated on the banks of the river Sarayu, commonly known as Ghaggar. This ghat, now known as the Gupta Ghat Van, was previously next to the colonial Company Gardens and has a set of stairs going to the holy river.
According to legend, Lord Ram, a Hindu god, pondered here and performed the “Jal Samadhi” in the river. Then, as a Lord Vishnu avatar, he attained “Baikuntha” and ascended into heaven.
The Sita-Ram temple, Chakrahari shrine, and Narsingh temple are three of the many temples located here that are well-known. The Guptar Ghat was renovated in the 1800s and has since undergone numerous improvements by the UP government. It is now furnished with contemporary conveniences.
7. Sita Ki Rasoi
It is thought that Sita ki Rasoi, which is located in Rajkot, Ayodhya, on the northwest side of the Ram Janmanhoomi, was the goddess Sita’s original kitchen. This holy location, which was constructed not far from the Ram Janmabhoomi, is now a temple with several display vessels. This Sita Ki Rasoi, one of the two kitchens honored in Sita’s name, is a subterranean kitchen.
The idols of Ram, Lakshman, Bharat, Shatrughan, and their wives Sita, Urmila, Mandavi, and Srutakirti are shown at the other end of the shrine. Sita, who is revered as the Goddess of Food, is also referred to as the Goddess Annapurna. As a result, the temple continues this custom by providing free food. Additionally, visitors may give any sum of money to charity at this location.
8. Treta Ke Thakur
The Treta Ke Thakur Temple, which is located along the Naya Ghat of Ayodhya, is home to many idols, including those of Lord Ram, Sita, Lakshman, Hanuman, Bharat, and Sugreev. According to legend, these figures were carved from a single block of black sandstone.
Treta Ke Thakur is thought to have been built 300 years ago by Kullu, the ruling monarch of the time. This building is supposed to be located on the exact same site as Lord Rama’s well-known Ashwamedha Yagna. Ahilyabai Holkar, the reigning Maratha queen of the period, significantly renovated the temple in the 1700s.
Only on the designated Ekadashi day each year is it accessible to the general public. According to the Hindu calendar, this holiday is celebrated on the eleventh day of the Shukla Paksha, which falls in the month of Karthika. On this day, vibrant celebrations and maintained cultural rituals are practiced.
9. Ram Katha Park
Ayodhya’s Ram Katha Park is a lovely green space with open-air theatres and well-maintained grass. It is a well-liked location for devotional gatherings, cultural performances, religious occasions, dancing, poetry readings, and katha recital sessions because of its size and expanse of land.
Ram Katha Park is utilized as a playground for youngsters or a leisure garden for adults on evenings when there are no special events. It also encourages national and international artists to display their talents and promotes cultural and mainstream events. It has gained popularity because the open amphitheatre offers a break from the busy and congested city streets.
10. Tulsi Smarak Bhawan
In honor of Goswami Tulsidas Ji, a poet, and philosopher who lived in the 16th century and is best known for penning the Ramcharitmanas in the Awadhi language, Tusli Smarak Bhawan was built. It is also widely believed that he wrote the Hanuman Chalisa. The “Ayodhya Shodh Sansthan,” an organization tasked with researching and attributing historical significance to Ayodhya and its literary, artistic, and spiritual traditions, is housed in Bhawan. There includes a library, a year-round Ram Leela play, a daily Ramkatha recital, and a permanent exhibition of Ramayana art and craft. The Bhawan serves as a venue for a variety of religious rituals and prayer gatherings as well as a cultural hub where seasoned performers perform. The institution’s Ramkatha Museum opened its doors in 1988.
The museum presents Ayodhya’s historical context through its collection of Ramayana-era artifacts.
HOW TO Reach Ayodhya?
By Air
Through the airports at Varanasi, Lucknow, or Allahabad, Ayodhya is conveniently accessible by air.
By Train
Ayodhya is located on the Mughal Sarai-Lucknow main route’s broad gauge Northern Railway line.
By Road
Roads connect Ayodhya to a number of adjacent towns and cities.
Tourist Destinations Near Ayodhya
- Sultanpur
- Lucknow
- jaunpur
- Prayagraj
Best time to visit Ayodhya
Ayodhya experiences mainly good weather all year long. In the height of summer and winter, there are sporadic heat waves and chilly breezes. However, for both the weather and the activities, October to December is the greatest time to come.
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