AYODHYA BEYOND RAM MANDIR
Places to Visit in Ayodhya: Temples, Ghats & Old Palaces
Ram Mandir is just the beginning. Here are the places every yatri should see, what makes each special, and when to go.
The Classic Order for Your Day
Many devotees visit Hanuman Garhi first, then Ram Lalla, then Kanak Bhawan, and end the day at Ram Ki Paidi for the Saryu aarti. Jump to any place:
Hanuman GarhiRam MandirKanak BhawanDashrath MahalNageshwarnathRam Ki PaidiGuptar Ghat
Hanuman Garhi: Where Most Yatras Begin
A hilltop fort-temple of Hanuman ji, believed to guard Ayodhya and Ram’s birthplace.
Climb 76 steps to reach the main shrine, where Hanuman sits in the lap of his mother Anjani. By tradition, many devotees take Hanuman ji’s blessings here before going for Ram Lalla’s darshan.
- Timings: 5 AM–12 PM and 4–9 PM, with aarti at 7 AM and 6 PM.
- Distance: about 1 km from Ram Mandir.
- Tip: go early in the morning. The steps get crowded by 9 AM, and Tuesdays and Saturdays are busiest.
- With parents: the steps are steep. Let them take it slowly, with breaks.
Kanak Bhawan: The Golden Palace of Sita and Ram
Step inside, and the noise of the city just fades away.
Tradition says Queen Kaikeyi gifted this palace to Sita after her marriage to Ram. The idols of Sita and Ram are adorned with gold ornaments, which is how the temple got its name: kanak means gold. The present temple was built by Queen Vrishbhanu Kunwari of Tikamgarh.
- Timings: Summer 8–11:30 AM and 4:30–9:30 PM. Winter 9 AM–12 PM and 4–9 PM.
- Distance: a short walk from Ram Mandir and Hanuman Garhi.
- Tip: sit for a while in the courtyard and listen to the bhajans. It’s one of the calmest places in Ayodhya.
Ram Ki Paidi & the Saryu Aarti
A long chain of ghats on the Saryu, and the heart of Ayodhya’s evenings.
Pilgrims bathe here through the day, and at sunset the Saryu aarti fills the ghats with lamps, bells and chants. This is also where lakhs of diyas are lit every year for Deepotsav.
- Saryu aarti: every evening at sunset, about 6:30 PM in summer and 6 PM in winter.
- Tip: reach 20 minutes early to get a good spot on the steps.
- Nearby: Nageshwarnath Temple is right here, and a boat ride starts close by.
Nageshwarnath Temple: Ayodhya's Ancient Shiva Temple
An old Shiva temple by Ram Ki Paidi, said to have been built by Kush, son of Ram.
Legend says Kush lost an armlet while bathing in the Saryu. It was found by a Naag-kanya who was a devotee of Shiva, and Kush built this temple for her. It’s one of the most important Shiva temples in Ayodhya.
- Timings: 5 AM to 8 PM.
- Tip: visit just before the evening Saryu aarti, since it’s steps away.
- Busiest: Mahashivratri and Mondays of Sawan.
Guptar Ghat: The Quietest Ghat in Ayodhya
Where Ram is believed to have taken jal samadhi in the Saryu.
Guptar Ghat sits a little away from the old city, lined with small temples and calm steps down to the river. It’s far less crowded than Ram Ki Paidi, which makes it perfect for a peaceful morning.
- Best time: early morning or sunset.
- Getting there: take an auto or e-rickshaw from the temple area.
- Good for: parents who want a quiet riverside sit, and photography in soft light.
Dashrath Mahal: King Dashrath's Palace
The temple at the site linked to King Dashrath’s royal palace, in the old Ramkot area.
Also called Badi Jagah or Bada Asthan, Dashrath Mahal is believed to stand where Ram and his brothers spent their childhood. Today it’s a temple with idols of Ram, Sita, Lakshman and Shatrughan, and it comes alive during the Kartik mela and Ram Vivah celebrations.
- Distance: walking distance from Kanak Bhawan.
- Tip: combine it with Kanak Bhawan in one easy walk.
Have More Time?
- Treta Ke Thakur: a temple on the Saryu banks at Naya Ghat.
- Tulsi Smarak Bhawan: built in memory of Goswami Tulsidas, author of the Ramcharitmanas.
- Ram Katha Park: an open-air venue by the river for cultural programmes.
- Bharat Kund, Nandigram: where Bharat is believed to have ruled in Ram’s name during the exile. A good half-day trip, included in our 3-day tour.
See It All Without the Rush
We’ll plan the order, the car and the rest breaks around your family.