Travel Guide to Ayodhya > Places to Visit | Things to Do

Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Ram, is one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in India. An astonishing city, Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh attracts many religious travellers from all over the world who come here to offer their prayers at the various temples and holy sites. 

Apart from its religious importance, the city pleases all your senses. The sound of the chants, the light of the diyas, and the sweet aroma of the flowers and incense sticks make the city a delightful place to be. 

If you are an ardent devotee of Lord Ram or just a curious traveller looking to explore different cities in India, you must definitely visit Ayodhya once. It has a unique knack to captivate the travellers. 

Here is a complete travel guide to Ayodhya that will give you all the information you need to know about the birthplace of the Lord Ram, a spiritual haven in India. This Guide covers –

• Places to visit in Ayodhya
• Things to do in Ayodhya
• How to Reach Ayodhya
• Best time to visit Ayodhya

Places to visit in Ayodhya

Ayodhya is home to several temples that are considered sacred and holy. But apart from their spiritual and religious importance, they are also known for their stunning architecture and external beauty. As a tourist to this holy city, you must definitely visit these temples and other places of religious importance.  

But there are also many other awesome places in the city, including parks, mosques, etc, that are equally enchanting and have an interest story or history. Let us look at some of the popular and lesser-known places that you may find mentioned in many tourist guide for Ayodhya.  

• Ram Janam Bhoomi

The star attraction of the city, your visit to Ayodhya will be incomplete without visiting Ram Janam Bhoomi. The name of the place translates to ‘the birthplace of Lord Ram.’ It is one of the most popular temples in UP and is believed to be exact place were Lord Ram was born. 

• Guptar Ghat

Located about 10 kms from Ayodhya main city, Guptar Ghat is also a holy site. It holds immense religious significance for the Hindu devotees. As per legend, it is here that Lord Ram meditated and took Jal Samadhi to leave the earth and go back to his original abode, ‘Vaikunta.’ Hence, thousands of devotees come to this place located on the banks of Sarayu River to take a dip in the holy water of the river.  

• Dasrath Bhawan

If you know a little bit about Ramayana or Hindu mythology, you would know that Dasrath was a King and the father of Lord Ram. One of the best places to visit in Ayodhya, Dasrath Bhawan, is believed to be constructed at the same place where the King’s royal residence once stood. 

It is believed that Lord Ram and his brother spent their childhood here and so it holds great importance for the devotees. Apart from its religious significance and mythological association, you must visit this palace to admire the beauty of the structure and this stunning architecture.  

• Tulsi Udyan

Located just 2 kms from Ayodhya Junction on the Ayodhya-Faizabad road, Tulsi Udyan is a memorial to the great erstwhile poet and sain, Tulsi Das. Almost all tourist guide for Ayodhya will definitely feature this garden as one of the top places to visit in Ayodhya. 

The saint was an ardent devotee of Lord Ram, and he is credited to be creator of the Epic, Ramcharitramanas. The garden houses a statue of the saint and the calm and serene environment inside makes it an ideal place for the tourists to relax and spend time in peace with family members.  

• Mani Parbat

Mani Parbat, or Mani Parvat, is a tiny hillock. According to the epic Ramayana, Lord Hanuman while carrying the mountain containing the life-saving medicine, Sanjeevni Booti to treat Laxman, a small portion of the mountain fell in Ayhodya, which is not called Mani Parbat. 

One of the most revered places in Ayodhya, it is believed that Lord Buddha during his stay in the city, gave his sermons from Mani Parbat. So, the hillock houses a stupa built by Emperor Ashoka in honour of Lord Buddha. 

Apart from the religious importance of the place, you must climb up the ghat/hill to get a stunning view of the city below. The panoramic view, especially in the evening while the sun is going down, is a treat to the eyes.  

• Shringi Rishi Ashram

Located about 38 kms from Ayodhya on the banks of River Sarayu, Shrinig Rishi Ashram is a scenic spot. It is believed that Sage Shringi performed a ritual for King Dasrath at this place to bless him with children. 

Things to do in Ayodhya

The entire city of Ayodha is legendary in every sense of the word. Home to some of India's important religious sites, Ayodhya is one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations in India. The birthplace of Lord Ram, Ayodhya, has many amazing things to see, and as a tourist, you can be sure to have a great time. 

As a tourist, you must be looking for new things to do in Ayodhya and have new experiences, right? Guess what? The city will not disappoint you one bit. Here are some of the top things you must do. 

• Explore the Sita ki Rasoi, the royal kitchen of Goddess Sita
• Visit the Tulsi Smarak Bhawan Museum. It houses many memorabilia and rate literary pieces of the great saint, Tulsi Das
• Enjoy watching a cultural show at the Ramkatha Park
• See the famous Mani Parbat and hike up to the hill top and enjoy a beautiful view of the sunset
• Take a leisurely walk around the Moti Mahal
• Marvel at the architectural beauty of the Choti Chawni

How to reach Ayodhya?

Since Ayodhya is an important pilgrimage destination in India and a holy city, it attracts tourists, and devotees from all over the country and worldwide. To ensure that the tourists have a smooth travel experience, the local government has excellent connectivity by all modes of transport – air, rail and road. 

• By Air

Ayodhya does not have its own airport, and the closest airport that has extensive air connectivity is the Chaudhary Charan Singh Airport in Lucknow. It is located about 130 kms from Ayodhya city and several flights from different parts of the country fly in and out of this airport. Once you reach Lucknow, you can take a taxi from right outside the airport and reach Ayodhya within 3-4 hours. 

• By Train

Travelling to Ayodhya by train is perhaps the most convenient and affordable option. No matter where you are from in India, you can easily reach the Ayodhya Dham Railway Station by train. Even if there is no direct train from your destination to Ayodhya, you can travel to the closest destinations like Lucknow, Varanasi, Prayagraj or Faizabad and then switch trains to reach your destination.  You can do a simple online search to find the list of trains from your city to Ayodhya or the nearest city and plan your travel accordingly. 

• By Road

You can pick any guide to Ayodhya (online or offline) and you find that travelling to Ayodhya by road is a wonderful experience. The city is well-connected by road to all major cities in Uttar Pradesh and the rest of the country. 

The roads leading up to the city are in top condition and well-maintained. So, rest assured, the drive is smooth and you have a comfortable travel experience. So, if you have been planning to go on a road trip, you can plan a trip to Ayodhya, the holy city of India.  

If you are travelling from within UP or nearby states, like Delhi, to Ayodhya, you can travel by bus. There are many state-run buses operating from almost all cities in UP to Ayodhya to facilitate easy travel for the devotee. The buses are frequent, and the travel cost is inexpensive. 

Based on your budget, you can take a normal bus or take an AC bus and reach your destination comfortably. 

Best time to visit Ayodhya

Ayodhya is located in the central part of India in Uttar Pradesh state. The weather in this holy city is pleasant all through the year, making it the perfect city for a holiday. You can visit this place any time of the year. 

However, like most cities in central India, Ayodhya also has certain months where the heat wave is high, especially during the summers, i.e., between the months of March and May. During the winter, the weather is cool. If you are planning a family holiday, the best time to visit Ayodhya is between October and March. 

The cool weather and breezy conditions allow you to explore the city comfortably. Also, during this time of the year, the festivities in the region create a joyful and vibrant environment, which only add to your holiday experience.