Known to be the birthplace of Lord Rama, it’s no surprise that Ayodhya is a city that draws devotees by the millions. If just the mention got you nostalgic for the Ramayana stories your grandma read to you, imagine the time travel you would experience when you explore the streets of Ayodhya. Let’s get out of the books and movies and live the reality of Ayodhya, all in one day!
Explore Ayodhya In One Day With This Ayodhya 1-Day Itinerary
1. Sarayu Ghat
A visit to Ayodhya remains incomplete without exploring the enchanting Saryu River, often dubbed the heart and lifeline of the city. There’s no better way to start your day than by taking a dip in the holy Sarayu River. Frequented by Lord Rama and his family, it holds profound significance for devotees, who view bathing or taking a dip in its waters as akin to a sacred pilgrimage. You can easily reach here from Ayodhya Railway Station via a shared auto for just INR 20.
Sarayu Ghat boasts intricate carvings and sculptures narrating Hindu epic tales, making it a must-visit, particularly during the monsoons when the river brims with life.
2. Hanuman Garhi Mandir
Now that the basics are away and you’re clean, it’s time to start exploring the city. It’s said that to please Lord Rama, you must be a devotee of his devotee, Lord Hanuman, and vice versa. So let’s start off by paying respect and learning the meaning of true devotion by visiting a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman. Since you’re visiting during the early hours of the day, you can expect a crowd. Also, you have to climb a short flight of 76 stairs because the temple is located at a slight height.
The world finds the warmest comfort in its mother’s lap, and Lord Hanuman was no exception. He too nestled in his mother, Anjani’s, embrace here. Legend has it that Lord Hanuman resided in a cave here, safeguarding the sacred Janambhoomi or Ramkot. For some spiritual solace, this holy shrine offers a serene retreat where your wishes are fulfilled.
Time: 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
3. Breakfast At New Parag Restaurant & Dairy
Before you set off venturing into the city of Ayodhya, serve your energy provider – your stomach. This eatery lets you dine in either a gazebo or an outdoor setting. Nothing like watching the day get on while having some paneer bhurji, piping hot puris, and steaming chai.
Specializing in vegetarian cuisine, the restaurant caters to your penchant for authentic flavors, offering dishes that are not only delicious but also reasonably priced.
Address: Ayodhya – Faizabad Road, Rano Pali, Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh 224123
Prices: Starting from INR 200 per person
Must-haves: Chilli Paneer, Afghani Paneer
Time: 7:00 am to 11:00 pm
4. Kanak Bhawan
Ayodhya is a tale. Every street and destination here has a tale from the epic Hindu mythology waiting to be heard. The Kanak Bhawan too has one. According to lore, as Lord Rama brought his bride Sita home, his stepmother Kaikeyi grappled to find the perfect mukh dikhai gift for her new daughter-in-law. She gifted this splendid Kanak Bhawan to Mother Sita. It was rebuilt as a temple in Bundela-style by Vrish Bhanu Kunwari.
The central hall of the temple has huge arched doorways that scream rich Bundelkhandi architecture. In the sanctum sanctorum, you’ll get the darshan of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita. The idols were installed by Vrish Bhanu Kunwari, Vikramaditya, and a hermit. As per lore, Lord Krishna gave the idol of the celestial couple to the hermit.
Your next stop is the famous Ram Mandir, but this temple remains closed between 12 pm and 1 pm. So you can either interact with people around here to listen to more interesting stories or visit the Kanak Sarkar Rasoi close by and grab something to eat if you start to get hungry.
Time: 08:00 am – 11:30 am; 04:30 pm – 09:00 pm
5. Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir
Visit Ayodhya and not visit Ram Mandir? Consecrated in January 2024, the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple now draws countless devotees due to its significance as Lord Rama’s birthplace. For exactly this reason, this iconic site is a focal point of your pilgrimage. Being the birthplace of the Lord, the sanctum sanctorum has an idol of Lord Ram from when he was a young boy, earning the name Ram Lalla. The idol is made from Ashtadhatu or the 8 elements and is decked with ornaments.
The temple is no less grand in terms of grandeur. It’s constructed using only stones, wood, copper, and white cement, and not an inch of steel! You can also explore the garden surrounding the temple, which is based on astrological constellations with 27 plants representing 27 nakshatras.
A smarter hack to tackle the crowd would be to visit the temple in the morning, but ensure you plan your day accordingly. Another tip would be to book your darshan in advance through their official website to save some time.
Time: 7 am to 11 am; 2 pm to 6 pm
6. Valmiki Ramayan Bhawan
It’s unlikely that you haven’t heard of Ramayana as a child. Or at least, you’d have heard enough tales so far into your day to know its summary. But if you want to read the authentic Ramayana in the language it was written in, Sanskrit, visit Valmiki Ramayan Bhawan. This temple is dedicated to Sage Valmiki, who was the author of the Hindu epic. Spend some time here to save yourself from the sunny afternoon. You can pass the time by reading the Ramayana written on the walls if you’re well-versed in Sanskrit. Don’t worry if you can’t read Sanskrit; you can sit by the pandit who’ll recite it to you.
If you’re a practising Hindu or someone who speaks Hindi, you know what a mannat is. When a mannat is answered, you offer the Lord something close to you. A similar system exists at the Valmiki Bhawan called the Ram Naam Bank. Devotees submit copies that are filled with the words “Ram” written thousands of times when their prayers are answered.
Time: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
7. Guptar Ghat
As the sun slowly begins to set and your day of stories draws to an end, dip your feet in the Saryu River and settle at this ghat for another one of the classics from Ramayana. Guptar Ghat holds profound significance in the epic Ramayana. It was here that Lord Rama took his final dip before ascending to Vaikuntha, the abode of Lord Vishnu.
You shouldn’t miss the chance to visit the Raja Mandir and Chakra Harji Vishnu Temple located here. Also, don’t forget to attend the evening aarti at Guptar Ghat. You’ll experience some truly divine energy, like a trance, amidst the rhythmic chants and devout atmosphere. It’s the perfect end to a spiritually enriching day in Ayodhya.
Summing Up
Whether seeking to cleanse sins or simply immerse in the cultural tapestry of India, a dip in the holy Sarayu River and the timeless rituals here offer a glimpse into the spiritual heritage of the land. That’s exactly what you can experience in 1 day in Ayodhya.
FAQs
Why Is Ayodhya So Famous?
Ayodhya is one of the holiest cities in India because it’s the birthplace of Lord Vishnu’s 7th avatar, Lord Rama.
Is 1 Day Enough For Ayodhya?
Ayodhya is a town in the state of Uttar Pradesh that holds significant religious importance in Hinduism, which makes the town a pilgrimage hotspot. There are several places of worship here that you can visit in 1 day, but we suggest that you take a few more days to truly explore and learn the history of the place.
What Are The Famous Things In Ayodhya?
Apart from the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, some of the famous places in Ayodhya are Ramkot, Sarayu River Ghat, Hanuman Garhi, Mani Parbat, and many other places that are of religious and cultural significance.
