Ayodhya Ram Mandir
Birth place of Lord Sri Rama and home of the consecrated Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir inaugurated in January 2024.
About this yatra
Ayodhya on the banks of the Sarayu in Uttar Pradesh is one of the seven Sapta Puri sacred cities and the most celebrated of them as the birth place of Lord Sri Rama — the seventh avatar of Vishnu, hero of the Ramayana, and embodiment of Maryada Purushottama (the ideal man). After a 500-year struggle culminating in the Supreme Court verdict of 2019 and the bhumi pujan of August 2020, the magnificent new Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi on January 22, 2024 with the consecration (pran pratishtha) of the Ram Lalla idol. The Nagara-style temple, designed by the Sompura family of architects, rises 161 ft on three floors, supported by 392 pillars carved with figures from the Ramayana, and made entirely of Banshi Paharpur pink sandstone with no use of iron. Pilgrims must complete free online darshan booking via the official Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra portal. Beyond the main temple, Ayodhya holds Hanuman Garhi (the fortified Hanuman shrine where every Ayodhya darshan traditionally begins), Kanak Bhawan (gifted by Kaikeyi to Sita), Treta Ke Thakur, Nageshwar Nath, Saryu Aarti at Ram Ki Paidi (every evening), and the spectacular Deepotsav on the eve of Diwali — when the city lights over 25 lakh diyas, holding multiple Guinness records.
Best time to visit
October to March. Ram Navami (March-April), Deepotsav (Diwali eve) and the anniversary of pran pratishtha (January 22) are key — book accommodation 2-3 months ahead.
How to reach
Fly to Maharishi Valmiki International Airport Ayodhya Dham (AYJ, opened 2023), or Lucknow (LKO, 135 km). Direct trains to Ayodhya Dham Junction (AYC). Buses from Lucknow, Varanasi, Allahabad.
What to expect
Pre-booked Ram Lalla darshan (online slots via srjbtkshetra.org), Hanuman Garhi (climb 76 steps), Kanak Bhawan, Sarayu evening aarti, optional 1-day Naimisharanya tirth visit.