Ayodhya itinerary

Plan 01

1 day in Ayodhya

1. 01

   Day 1: Ram Mandir, Guptar Ghat and the old city

   Start early at the Ram Mandir before crowds build; allow time for security queues. Spend an hour or more inside to see the sanctum and the architecture. Have breakfast or chai at a small shop near the temple. Hire an auto or walk to Guptar Ghat, one of the oldest and most sacred ghats, where the steps descend steeply to the water. Rest for lunch at a hotel or simple restaurant. In the late afternoon, visit Kanak Bhawan, which is smaller and less crowded than the main mandir. Spend the evening at Ramkot area or another ghat to see the aarti or simply watch pilgrims on the steps as the light fades.

Guides for the stops on this route

Plan 02

2 days in Ayodhya

1. 01

   Day 1: Ram Mandir and the sacred ghats

   Begin at dawn at one of the quieter ghats—Chakra Tirth or Guptar—to see pilgrims bathing and hear the morning prayers. Have breakfast nearby. Visit the Ram Mandir at opening time to avoid the worst crowds, and spend time understanding its scale and the devotional energy. Rest indoors through the hottest part of the day. In late afternoon, return to a ghat for the evening aarti: Sarayu Ghat or Ramkot are good vantage points. Walk through the nearby bazaars if energy permits, then have dinner at a restaurant in the old city near the temples.

2. 02

   Day 2: Older temples and the Panchkosi circuit

   Visit Hanuman Garhi, an ancient temple on a small hill with views over the city (prepare for steps). Explore the neighbourhood temples: Nageshwarnath (ancient and beautifully carved), Treta Ke Thakur (built on a high mound), and Janki Mandir (dedicated to Sita). Have lunch at a dhaba or hotel. In the afternoon, drive or auto-rickshaw along part of the Panchkosi Parikrama path, the 12-km circuit that pilgrims walk to circumambulate the city. End at another ghat for the evening, or rest at your hotel and have an early dinner.

Guides for the stops on this route

Plan 03

3 days in Ayodhya

1. 01

   Day 1: The Ram Mandir and spiritual morning

   Wake before sunrise and go to a ghat (Guptar or Chakra Tirth) to see the rituals: pilgrims bathing, locals making offerings, prayers echoing across the water. Have chai and breakfast at a small shop. Visit the Ram Mandir at opening time and spend an hour understanding its architecture and the sculptural details. Rest at your hotel through the afternoon heat. In the late afternoon, visit Kanak Bhawan, which is peaceful and architecturally significant. Watch the aarti at Sarayu Ghat as evening falls, then walk through the old bazaar near the temple if comfortable.

2. 02

   Day 2: Temples and the landscape of devotion

   Start at Hanuman Garhi (early, to avoid midday heat), climbing the steps for views and the temple's peaceful sanctum. Explore nearby Nageshwarnath Temple, known for its intricate carved pillars and quiet devotional atmosphere. Have a long lunch at a restaurant with a view, or rest at your hotel. In the late afternoon, visit Treta Ke Thakur, built on an earth mound with historical significance. End at another ghat or nearby park for the evening.

3. 03

   Day 3: The Panchkosi and local neighbourhoods

   Drive or auto-rickshaw along the Panchkosi Parikrama circuit, stopping at temples and shrines along the way: Suraj Kund (an ancient tank), Tulsi Smarak (honouring the poet Tulsidas), and other lesser-known sites. Have lunch at a small dhaba in a local neighbourhood. In the afternoon, visit the Ayodhya Museum if you wish to see historical artefacts, or spend time in a quieter temple or park. Use the final evening for a slow walk along a ghat, conversations with locals, or a last visit to a favourite spot from the previous days.

Guides for the stops on this route

Pacing

Make the plan work for everyone

• Hire a car and driver for the day rather than hopping between autos. It provides a cool rest spot and avoids walking in heat between distant temples.
• Visit the Ram Mandir and main ghats early, before 8 am, when crowds are lighter and temperatures are cooler. Later in the morning, security queues at the Mandir grow long.
• The ghats have steep steps down to the water. Walk slowly, wear non-slip shoes with a good grip, and use rails or ask a companion for support. Some ghats are easier than others—Sarayu Ghat is gentler than Guptar.
• Dress conservatively (long trousers or long skirt, covered shoulders). Remove footwear at temple entrances; marble floors in the afternoon sun are very hot. Carry socks or slippers.
• Take a long rest indoors from 1–4 pm, especially May to July. The heat is intense and exhausting. Keep water and electrolyte drinks with you at all times.
• The Panchkosi Parikrama path is a walking circuit for pilgrims; drive or auto parts of it rather than walking the full 12 km in the heat.