Ayodhya sits on the banks of the calm Sarayu River. The city is old, holy and full of fresh energy today. New roads shine. A brand-new airport greets flyers. A grand temple of Lord Ram rises over pink sandstone. Pilgrims once came here with slow steps. Now express trains and flights bring them in hours. Yet Ayodhya keeps its soul. Oil lamps still dance on the ghats each dusk. Chanting still rolls across narrow lanes. Come, take a slow walk in this fast-growing city.
Why Ayodhya Feels Different in 2025
- Ram Mandir opened on 22 January 2024. Daily visitors now touch one-and-a-half lakh.
- Darshan window is longer. The trust keeps the doors open from 6 am to 10 pm.
- Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram International Airport (AYJ) began flights in January 2024. It can serve ten lakh passengers a year.
- Ayodhya Dham railway station looks like an airport itself. A ₹240 crore revamp added lifts, food plazas and India’s largest concourse.
- Deepotsav 2024 lit 25.1 lakh diyas, a new Guinness record. The sky glowed with 500 drones.
- Kumbh Mela returns to nearby Prayagraj in Jan-Feb 2025, only 160 km away. Expect twin pilgrimages.
Reaching the City
By Air
Land at AYJ. IndiGo, SpiceJet and Akasa link Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and nine other cities daily. A taxi to the ghats takes 20 minutes.
By Rail
Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat trains now stop at Ayodhya Dham Junction. The lotus-crowned dome welcomes 60,000 travellers a day.
By Road
NH-27 and NH-330 meet here. Lucknow is 135 km. Varanasi is 225 km. Buses run every half hour in season.
Also Read Ujjain: Sacred City Shines, The City Of MAHAKAL
Best Time to Visit
Darshan Guide for Ram Mandir
Small lockers for phones stand 300 m before the sanctum. Wheelchairs enter a separate lane.
Top Places to Visit
1 Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir
Three-storey marvel in Nagara style. Carvings show events from the Ramayana. Temple height: 161 ft.
2 Hanuman Garhi
A fort-like shrine on a 76-step climb. Belief says darshan here clears the path to Ram Mandir.
3 Kanak Bhawan
Gifted to Sita by Queen Kaikeyi. Inside, gold-crowned idols of Ram and Sita sparkle under a silver roof.
4 Dashrath Mahal
Old royal palace. Morning bhajans fill the halls.
5 Sita Ki Rasoi
A tiny kitchen museum beside the palace. Clay stoves and brass pots recall ancient life.
6 Nageshwarnath Temple
Said to be built by Kush, son of Ram. It marks the end of the famous parikrama path.
7 Ram Ki Paidi & Sarayu Riverfront
Long stepped ghats now wear pink sandstone and designer lights. Evening aarti with 1,121 priests broke a world record in 2024.
8 Guptar Ghat
Where Lord Ram is believed to have taken jal-samadhi. Calm spot for sunrise meditation.
9 Bharat Kund (Nandigram)
Village 20 km away. Bharat ruled here during Ram’s exile.
10 Tulsi Smarak Bhawan
Museum and research centre on poet Tulsidas. Hear Ramcharitmanas recitals each evening.
(Carry cotton socks. Many temples need bare feet on stone floors.)
New Experiences in Modern Ayodhya
1 Airport Tour
Terminal walls display 14 murals of Lord Ram’s life. Food court sells methi mathri and imli chaat.
2 Ayodhya Dham Station Stroll
The roof looks like Ram’s Chandra Mukut while inside feels like an airport lounge. Try the filter coffee kiosk on the mezzanine.
3 Riverfront Cycling
Two-kilometre Sarayu riverfront now has a cycling track, art corners and Wi-Fi spots.
4 Night Boat Ride
LED-lit boats glide from Naya Ghat to Guptar Ghat. Reflections of the temple glow in water.
Food Trail
- Ram Bhandar – Kachori-sabzi at dawn.
- Guddu Bhole Sweets – Fresh peda from cow milk.
- Choti Chai Shop near Hanuman Garhi – Kulhad chai with tulsi leaves.
- Sarayu Riverside Stalls – Roasted corn, jalebi and malaiyo (winter only).
- Sattvik Thali Houses – Simple rice, lauki sabzi, jaggery. Pure ghee, no onion-garlic.
Where to Stay
- Budget: Dharma shalas near Ram Mandir start at ₹500.
- Mid-range: Shobhayan Inn near airport offers free pick-up.
- Premium: Cygnett Collection KK with river-view rooms.
Book early for festival weeks. Many hotels fill a month ahead.
Sample 3-Day Itinerary
Day 1:
Morning flight. Check-in. Evening aarti at Ram Mandir. Night stroll at Ram Ki Paidi.
Day 2:
Sunrise at Guptar Ghat. Visit Hanuman Garhi, Dashrath Mahal, Sita Ki Rasoi. Lunch at Kanak Bhawan lane. Cycle riverfront in evening.
Day 3:
Drive to Bharat Kund and Treta Ke Thakur temple. Return for prasad lunch. Train or flight out.
(Add a Prayagraj day trip for Kumbh baths if you have an extra day.)
Practical Tips
- Download Divya Ayodhya app for maps and alerts.
- Pre-book darshan passes in high season.
- Cover shoulders and knees in temples.
- Keep small change for shoe stands.
- Police help desks sit at temple gate, station and airport.
- Wheelchairs, golf carts and e-rickshaws help elders.
- Avoid plastic on ghats; fines apply.
FAQs
Q1. Is photography allowed inside Ram Mandir?
Q4. Are there direct flights from Chennai?
Not yet, but connections via Delhi or Mumbai work.
Q5. Can I visit Ayodhya and Varanasi in one trip?
Q6. Is Ayodhya safe for solo women?
Yes. The city has CCTV, tourist police and good street lighting. Use registered cabs at night.
Q7. What souvenirs should I buy?
Wooden Ram Darbar idols, pink sandstone mini-temples, and Ram-naam chunari scarves.
Q8. Which bank ghats host Deepotsav lamps?
Q9. Do hotels serve non-veg food?
Most restaurants in the heritage zone are vegetarian. Larger hotels on the ring road may serve eggs.
Q10. How can I join the 14-Kosi Parikrama?
Start at Nageshwarnath Temple early morning. The 25 km walk circles the old city and ends by dusk. Carry water and cotton socks.
Final Word
Ayodhya is changing fast, yet staying gentle. You see cranes building flyovers, but you also hear temple bells every half hour. You may sip cappuccino at the new airport lounge, then fold hands in front of a centuries-old idol within minutes. That mix is Ayodhya’s real charm. Plan a trip soon. Light a lamp on the Sarayu. Let the city of eternal light leave a warm glow in you too.
Author- Ayush
