The city of Ayodhya has always been a revered destination for some cultural and spiritual escape. Holding a significant place in Indian mythology as well as Mughal history, Ayodhya is filled with temples and religious sites along with some other Ayodhya tourist attractions. With the recent Ayodhya Ram Mandir inauguration on 22nd January, travel experts are estimating that Ayodhya is going to be the top religious tourist destination in India for the coming years. An all-inclusive Ayodhya Tour Package is the best way to explore this spiritual land. Get the best of the city and plan your trip to Ayodhya with a detailed Ayodhya Travel Guide, not missing out on anything.
Ayodhya Travel Guide :
complete run-through India’s spiritual heart-land
Best Time to visit Ayodhya
Located in Uttar Pradesh, Ayodhya experiences quite hot summers and quite cold winters, while the monsoons are moderate. However, the best time for an Ayodhya trip is definitely in the winter season which is usually from October to March. If you are comfortable with a bit of rain, the weather from July to September is pleasant with a hint of humidity. It is best to avoid visiting Ayodhya in the summer, i.e. from April to June. The scorching heat won’t allow you to explore the city at its best.
How to reach Ayodhya
Being a popular religious site, Ayodhya is well-connected to the rest of India. Seeing the high tourist influx, it is advisable that you make your travel bookings well in advance. There are various options available to reach Ayodhya.
By Air : According to the Ayodhya Travel Guide, the swiftest and most convenient way for Ayodhya Tourism 2024 is by flights. Earlier, the closest commercial airport was Lucknow’s Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport, 140 kms away from Ayodhya. However, now the city’s own newly inaugurated Maharishi Valmiki International Airport (AYJ) facilitates cheap flights to Ayodhya from prominent Indian cities. While there are direct flights to Ayodhya from some major cities others can opt for connecting flights depending upon the availability. With time, even foreign airlines will facilitate this route.
By Train : The Ayodhya Junction Railway Station, only 450m away from the city centre, has direct trains running from Lucknow, Mumbai, Delhi, Allahabad, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, etc. Indian Railways has also introduced special trains like Vande Bharat and Amrit Express to reduce the burden on this route. Regular auto-rickshaws, e-rickshaws, tempos and cabs ply to and from the city at fixed rates.
By Road : It is quite easy to access Ayodhya either with government buses or private vehicles with the several state and national highways that run through Uttar Pradesh. The Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) runs cost-effective and comfortable buses to Ayodhya in the state. Private buses also run to and from Ayodhya from several cities across India.
Once in Ayodhya, it is easy to get around to explore Ayodhya with options like taxis, auto-rickshaws, tongas or even buses.
Best Things to do in Ayodhya
Ayodhya is known to be a spiritual and religious tourist destination, but there is much more to it to satiate a wanderlust soul. According to the Ayodhya tour guide, except for temples, Ayodhya is also known for its gardens, ghats and other cultural exhibits.
Visit Ayodhya Ram Mandir :
Following its inauguration, the majority of tourists will be visiting Ayodhya to visit the Ram Mandir. According to Hindus, it is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram. The grandeur and spirituality of the Ram Mandir will draw in devotees from all over making it Ayodhya’s top tourist destination. According to travel agencies, all-inclusive Ayodhya Darshan Packages are going to be hot sellers in the coming years.
Ayodhya Ram Mandir Darshan Time: 7 AM to 1 PM, 3 PM to 10 PM
Explore beautiful gardens :
There are several beautifully decorated gardens for enjoying and relaxing in Ayodhya. While you can enjoy a peaceful morning walk in Tulsi Udhyan in the mornings, enjoy a relaxing afternoon in the lavishly decorated Gulab Bari garden.
Visit Mani Parvat :
Remember Lord Hanuman carrying back a mountain in search of Sanjeevani Booti? The Mani Parvat is said to be a part of that same mountain. It is considered to be a holy site according to Hindu mythology.
Explore the ghats along the Sarayu River :
The holy Sarayu River hosts an array of holy ghats beside the river. Naya Ghat, Saryu Ghat and Guptar Ghat are some famous spots. For a mystical experience, visit the Ghats early in the morning or in the evening to participate in the aarti or take a stroll by the river.
Shopping in Ayodhya: Shop till you drop!
Being a cultural treasure, Ayodhya houses numerous markets and bazaars. This Ayodhya Travel Guide recommends these markets for some exquisite shopping experiences.
Ayodhya Haat : This vibrant market is known for local crafts like intricate handloom textiles, traditional jewellery and authentic Ayodhya souvenirs.
Sarayu Darshan Market : The market is a visual treat with its colourful stalls and the sacred Sarayu River in the back. One can find religious artefacts, including idols, prayer beads, and sacred threads, reflecting the spiritual essence of Ayodhya in this market.
Ramayan Craft Bazar : Best place to buy wood carvings, miniature paintings, and artefacts relating to the story of Ramayan.
Sankat Mochan Market : A hub for the best of Ayurvedic oils, herbal teas, and organic skincare products that provide healing with Ayodhya’s natural healing traditions.
Enjoying Ayodhya’s Food
You cannot miss out on relishing Ayodhya’s traditional dishes while in the city. Some unmissable food joints include Brijwasi Mithai Wala in Naya Ghat, Sri Govind Jalpan in Ram Katha Par, Manoj Dhaba in Faizabad and Sri Sita Rasoi Ghar at Dakshin Gate.
Where to stay in Ayodhya?
There are several options for luxury as well as cheap hotels in Ayodhya. Some stay options in Ayodhya are:
- The Ramayana Hotel
- Hotel RamBhoomi Ayodhya
- Anamika Palace
- Shree Gorakhnath Guesthouse
- The Mansarovar Palace
Ayodhya Travel Guide FAQs:
According to the Ayodhya travel guide, all the major Ayodhya tourist places can be covered in 2-3 days.
The Ram Mandir inauguration in Ayodhya has made the city an important religious destination worth visiting in India. Thousands of devotees are looking to visit Ayodhya now.
The best time to visit Ayodhya would be between October to March, during the winter season.
Generally, a 2N/3D Ayodhya trip cost starts from Rs. 12000. It further increases based on your preferences and number of days.
Yes, one day would be sufficient to visit 2 or 3 prominent sites in Ayodhya like Ayodhya Ram Mandir, Kanak Bhawan or Hanuman Garhi.
It is best to take the help of an experienced travel agency to plan an Ayodhya trip for a family. A travel agent will help you see the best of what Ayodhya has to offer.
When in Ayodhya, look out for local handicraft items (intricate handloom textiles, traditional jewellery, wood carvings, miniature paintings, and artefacts), religious artefacts (idols, prayer beads and sacred threads) and medicinal stuff (Ayurvedic oils, herbal teas, and organic skincare products).
Helicopter flights from the Tourism Guest House helipad in Prayagraj to Ayodhya, a 50-minute journey covering 157 km, costs approx. Rs. 14,159 per person.
Devotees can book darshan both offline and online. Visit their website srjbtkshetra.org to book a slot online or visit the camp office at the temple with a valid ID.
The Ram Mandir Darshan time is 7 AM to 1 PM, 3 PM to 10 PM.
It is possible to reserve VIP Darshan at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir on their website srjbtkshetra.org.
This comprehensive Ayodhya travel guide with the best Ayodhya travel tips on when to visit, what to do, what to eat, etc. will surely make your Ayodhya trip smoother.
