MORE THAN DARSHAN

Things to Do in Ayodhya: River, Aarti, Evenings & Prasad

Some of Ayodhya’s best moments happen between darshans: a slow boat on the Saryu, lamps at the evening aarti, and a box of warm peda for the family.

Saryu Boat Ride

See the ghats from the water. It’s the most peaceful half hour you’ll have in Ayodhya.

Boats leave from the ghats near Ram Ki Paidi and Naya Ghat. You can choose a traditional rowing boat or a motorboat, usually for 30 to 60 minutes.

Best time: sunrise or sunset, for soft light and calm water.
Price: agree on the fare and the duration with the boatman before you get in.
Safety: wear the life jacket, keep children seated, and avoid boats during high water in the monsoon.
Pair it with: the evening Saryu aarti at Ram Ki Paidi.

Good news: most of Ayodhya’s best moments cost nothing at all.

Ram Lalla’s darshan: free for everyone, and so are the Sugam and aarti passes.
The Saryu aarti at Ram Ki Paidi every evening.
Temple visits: Hanuman Garhi, Kanak Bhawan, Dashrath Mahal and Nageshwarnath have no entry fee. See places to visit.
A walk along the ghats from Ram Ki Paidi towards Naya Ghat in the morning.
Bhajans and kirtans in temple courtyards, especially in the evenings.
Quiet time at Guptar Ghat at sunrise.

Ayodhya is a temple town, so nights are calm and devotional rather than lively.

Evening Saryu aarti at sunset, then a walk along the lit-up ghats.
Ram Mandir after Sandhya Aarti: from 1 Nov 2026, darshan continues after the 7 PM aarti until about 9:15 PM, with short pauses. See exact timings.
Ram Path at night: the main road is lit and lined with shops for prasad and souvenirs.
Bhajan evenings in the courtyards of Kanak Bhawan and other temples.
Festival nights: during Deepotsav, the whole riverfront glows with diyas and drone shows.

Most shops and eateries close by 10–10:30 PM, so have dinner early.

Nobody goes home from Ayodhya empty-handed.

Peda and laddoo prasad: sold in the lanes around Hanuman Garhi and along Ram Path. Laddoos offered at Hanuman Garhi are a favourite to carry home.
Buy from busy shops: high turnover means fresher sweets. Ask for the date it was made.
Packing: ask for a sealed box if you’re travelling more than a day. Milk sweets keep better in winter.
Food in Ayodhya is pure vegetarian around the temple areas. Try kachori-sabzi for breakfast and simple thali meals near Ram Path.

Use one of our ready itineraries, or let us plan the days for you.