10 Best Places to Visit in Ayodhya

Ayodhya is a fascinating city located in the central part of India in Uttar Pradesh state. It has a rich history and holds great religious significance for all Indians. According to the great epic, Ramayana, Ayodhya is believed to be the place where Lord Ram was born.  

There are many amazing places to visit in Ayodhya, including holy ghats, ancient temples and monuments of religious importance. Since the city has a close association with Hindu Mythology, many devotees visit the city throughout the year. 

The city pleases all your senses with its smell of flowers, chanting of prayers, and beautiful surroundings. So, if you are visiting Ayodhya, here are some of the best places you must visit:

• Ram Janmabhoomi
• Ram ki Paidi
• Nageshwar Nath Temple
• Mani Parbat
• Treta Ke Thakur
• Dasrath Bhavan
• Kanak Bhawan
• Sita Ki Rasoi
• Hanuman Garhi
• Tulsi Smarak Bhawan

Ram Janmabhoomi

The term, ‘Ram Janmabhoomi,’ literally translates to ‘Lord Ram’s Birthplace.’ According to the Indian epic, Ramayana, Ram, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu, was born here. He spent a significant part of his early life near the Sarayu River that flows through the city.  

Many Hindu devotees consider Ayodhya a sacred place and hold Ram Janmabhoomi in high regard. One of the most popular Ayodhya attractions, you must definitely visit this place to know more about the early days of the great lord. Also, it is a popular pilgrimage destination, so bow your head and seek god’s blessings. 

ALSO READ: How to Reach Ayodhya 

Ram ki Paidi

Ram ki Paidi is the name of a series of Ghats located near the bank of Saryu River. This place attracts a huge crowd every day, as devotees line up to take a dip in the holy water of the river. Your visit to Ayodhya will be incomplete without visiting the Saryu River and watching the aarti at night. It is a wonderful spectacle that you must not miss for anything!  

Nageshwar Nath Temple

Nageshwar Nath is the god of Snakes, and the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This architectural wonder is located near Ram ki Paidi, and you can be sure to find its name in almost every Ayodhya’s best places to visit list.  

It is believed that the temple was built by Lord Ram’s younger son, Kush, to express his gratitude to Naagkanya, the daughter of the Snake God, and thank her for returning his armlet that she found in the Sarayu River.  

Mani Parbat 

Almost all the tourist attractions in Ayodhya have some association with Lord Ram and his family members, and Mani Parbat is no different. If you search online for Ayodhya's famous places, this 65-feet high hill will surely find its place in the top 10 list.   

The hill has great mythological significance and is considered a sacred place by Hindu devotees. One of the major incidences that occur in the epic Ramayana is that during the war against the mighty force of Ravana, his son, Meghnad, injures Lord Lakshman.  

When he falls to the ground, the only medicine that could save his life is the Sanjeevni Booty, found in the Himalayas. So, when Lord Hanuman uprooted the mountain, and while on his way to Lakshman, a small part of the mountain fell at this place, and today it is called Mani Parbat.  

The hill has many shrines and you can climb up the hill to get a stunning view of the city below. It is best advised to trek up the hill and watch the sunrise or sunset, the sight is just mindboggling. 
 

Treta Ke Thakur 

Treta ke Thakur literally means the Lord of the Treta Yug. It is a one the ancient temple dedicated to Lord Ram, and is one of the top Ayodhya sightseeing places. As per Hindu scriptures, the place where the temple stands today is exactly the spot where Lord Ram performed Ashwamedha Yagya upon his return to Ayodhya.  

The Yagya was done to celebrate his victory over the demon King Ravana. The temple has idols of Lord Ram, his consort, Goddess Sita, Lord Hanuman, King Sugriva, and his brothers, Lakshman, Bharat and Shatrughan. Unlike other temples in Ayodhya, Treta Ka Thakur opens on the 11th day or the Ekadashi of the Hindu month Kartik, which makes it an extremely sacred place for the devotees.  

Every year, thousands of devotees from all over the country come to this temple to seek the blessing of the Gods and revel in the celebration of good over evil. Everywhere, you can hear the shout of Jai Shree Ram.  

Dasrath Bhavan
 

King Dasrath is the father of Lord Ram and a very revered figure by the Hindu devotees. Dasrath Bhavan is a temple dedicated to the great King of Ayodhya, and it is believed that the temple was constructed at the same place where the King’s Royal Palace stood.  

As soon as you enter the premises, you can feel a magical vibe around. The sound of the dohas recited by the saints inside the temple sound like music to the ears. Apart from its spiritual importance, the temple is known to be an architectural masterpiece, which makes it one of the best places to visit in Ayodhya. 

Kanak Bhawan 

Located on the northeastern side of the town in Tulsi Nagar, Kanak Bhawan is an ancient temple that is believed to have been in 1891. Dedicated to Lord Ram and his consort, Goddess Sita, the temple is also called Sone-ka-Ghar, meaning house of gold or golden palace. According to Hindu legends, the palace was given to Lord Ram and Goddess Sita by his stepmother, Kaikeyi, as their wedding gift. 

Sita Ki Rasoi

Rasoi in Hindi means kitchen, and it is believed that Sita Ki Rasoi is an ancient kitchen used by Goddess Sita herself. A sacred site for the followers of the Goddess and Lord Ram, it is now a temple and houses many vessels.

At the other end of the temple are idols of Lord Ram, and his brothers, Laxman, Bharat and Shatrughan and their wives, i.e., Sita, Urmila, Mandavi and Srutakirti decorated in rich clothes and embellished in ornaments. Here Goddess Sita is worshipped as the Goddess of Food and is also known as Goddess Annapurna.

Hanuman Garhi

As the name says, Hanuman Garhi is one of the most important temples in Ayodhya, dedicated to Lord Hanuman. The temple is located on a hilltop, and to reach the main sanctum, you must have to climb about 76 staircases.  

A notable thing about this magnificent temple is that Lord Hanuman’s idol is only about 6 inches tall. It is a popular belief that devotees must visit this Hanuman temple before going to the Lord Ram temple.  

Tulsi Smarak Bhawan

Tulsi Smarak Bhawan is an ancient monument that was built in 1969 as a tribute to the great poet, and author of Ramayana, Swami Tulsidas. It is believed that the saint wrote the epic Ramayana at this place.  

There is a big library inside Bhawan’s premises, and it is a treasure chest for academicians, historians, and scholars. It also houses a museum called Ram Katha Sangrahalya. Another noteworthy thing about this place is that it is the centre where Ram Leela has been performed every year since 2004.  

As you explore the different tourist spots in the city, you can be sure to collect many endearing memories that you can cherish for the rest of your life.