Ayodhya
the birthplace of Lord Rama.

Ram Mandir, Hanuman Garhi, Kanak Bhawan, Dashrath Mahal, Sita Ki Rasoi, Nageshwarnath Temple, and the evening Saryu aarti at Ram Ki Paidi. With a second day add Guptar Ghat, Mani Parvat, Tulsi Smarak Bhawan and the Faizabad heritage monuments. That covers what almost every pilgrim comes for.

One full day covers the essential temples and the evening aarti if you start early. Two days is the comfortable amount and lets you add the river, the hillocks and Faizabad. Three or more days suits Jain pilgrims, the Bharat Kund day-trip, or extending to Naimisharanya, Prayagraj or Varanasi.

Yes, for the core. Reach Hanuman Garhi by 7 AM, do Ram Mandir before the noon closure, rest through midday, then cover Kanak Bhawan and Nageshwarnath in the afternoon and the Saryu aarti at dusk. It is a full day, but it works. Two days is gentler.

Yes. Since the 2024 consecration the city has new roads, a new airport, a redeveloped station and far better facilities, while the core temples and the Saryu keep their old soul. For pilgrims it is essential; for travellers it is one of India's most significant living heritage cities.

October to March, when days are mild and evenings pleasant for the aarti. Late November to mid-February is the sweet spot. Avoid April to June, when temperatures hit 40 to 42°C with little shade near the temple.

For weather and calm, the first two weeks of December or the last two weeks of January, when the city is cool, hotel rates are normal and the aarti feels unhurried. For atmosphere, time it with Deepotsav, but book three months ahead.

Very. It is walking-friendly, safe and welcoming, but it runs on devotion, not tourism: early mornings, strict darshan timings, modest dress. Keep your first trip light, start before 9 AM, and you will find it deeply grounding rather than rushed.

Three things save most trips. Darshan is free with no VIP ticket. The Ram Mandir closes for bhog around noon to 2 PM, so arrive by 10 AM or after 2 PM. And phones and leather are barred inside the temple, with free lockers at entry. The rest is detail.

Yes, completely free for all devotees. The trust charges nothing for entry. The only fast-track is the free Sugam Darshan e-pass on online.srjbtkshetra.org. There is no paid VIP darshan; any demand for money for darshan itself is a scam.

No. Despite what some operator blogs claim, there is no paid VIP or VVIP darshan on the official system. The trust offers only free Sugam Darshan and free aarti passes. Treat any paid "VIP ticket" offer as fraudulent.

Generally 7:00 to 11:30 AM and 2:00 to 7:00 PM, with a bhog closure around 12:00 to 2:00 PM. Evenings sometimes extend later, and timings change during festivals like Ram Navami and Deepotsav, so confirm on the official portal before you travel.

On online.srjbtkshetra.org choose Free Sugam Darshan, log in with your mobile and OTP, enter devotee details for up to 8 people, pick a slot, and download the QR e-pass. Carry the matching original ID. From experience, book the moment passes release and take the morning slot.

No. Mobile phones, cameras, other electronics and leather items are not allowed inside. Deposit them in the free lockers at the entry and carry only your ID and pass. Photography inside the sanctum is prohibited.

With a Sugam Darshan pass, about 60 to 75 minutes including security screening. Without a pass, general darshan can take one to three hours depending on the crowd, and far longer on festival days.

Carry the original government ID that matches your e-pass: Aadhaar for Indians, passport for foreigners. ID requirements can change, so verify the current rule on the official portal before travelling.

Before. Tradition says to take Hanuman's blessing first, and it is also the practical order. You climb the 76 steps while fresh and the morning is cool, then move on to the Ram Mandir queue.