Places to Visit in Ayodhya

Ayodhya, nestled in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, is a remarkably beautiful place. Resting on the banks of the river Sarayu, it holds the esteemed status of being one of the most sacred cities in India. There are many Ayodhya famous places to explore. Ayodhya is the birthplace of Lord Rama and hence, is considered to be one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Hinduism. There are many places to visit in Ayodhya, including the famous and newly inaugurated Ram Mandir.

The Ram Mandir is one of the chief Ayodhya attractions, but there are many other things to see in the city. You can travel to Ayodhya and explore the place and everything it offers. There are three distinct seasons in Ayodhya - Summer, Monsoon and Winter. While the summers are hot and humid, the winters are very cold. There is quite a bit of rainfall during the monsoon months. Do your research and decide on the best time to visit Ayodhya and take a tour of the place.

Ayodhya has many high-quality tourist facilities. From good hotels to convenient travel options, you can find it all in and around the places to visit in Ayodhya. Get a good holiday package from Thomas Cook and start your exciting and fulfilling trip to the wonderful city of Ayodhya.

Location and How to Reach Ayodhya?

As stated, Ayodhya is a city in Uttar Pradesh, which is situated in the northern part of India. It is away from the coast and so doesn't have a beach. It is a plateau and enjoys a moderate climate all year through. The many Ayodhya places to visit are beautiful and diverse in their appeal.

The transportation facilities in Ayodhya are very well-developed. With the opening of the new Ram Mandir, one of the most popular Ayodhya sightseeing places, many tourists have started coming in. As a result, tourism has improved. A new airport has been inaugurated which makes it easier for you to see the city and explore the places to visit in Ayodhya.  

Apart from direct air connectivity, there also are rail and road connections available. You can take a train to Ayodhya from any major Indian town or city. Hundreds of trains arrive at the Ayodhya Railway Station every day. There are many tourist places near Ayodhya station that you can see as you enter the city.

There are many buses also available and you can come to Ayodhya by road. Travelling in your own vehicle is also a good option as you can also explore the tourist places near Ayodhya.

Language spoken in Ayodhya 

Hindi is the main language of the state of Uttar Pradesh and hence, is also the primary language of Ayodhya. You will hear most people speaking in Hindi in and around the places to visit in Ayodhya. If you can converse in basic Hindi, you won't face any communication problems in the city.

Apart from Hindi, people in Ayodhya also speak Awadhi, Urdu and English. Many of the tourist guides, drivers and hotel employees can communicate in English and this helps the people who do not know Hindi. When you explore the Ayodhya places to visit, you can get a guide who speaks your language and see the places conveniently.

Ayodhya Known for / Famous for

There are several places to visit in Ayodhya and the city is, quite obviously, best known for its historical and religious significance in Hinduism. It is the place where Lord Rama was born. It is also the site of the ancient Ram Temple that stood there till the 16th Century. The brand new Ram Mandir has been built at the same spot.

There are other many interesting Ayodhya sightseeing places such as:

Ram Katha Park

One of the most serene beautiful Ayodhya attractions, the Ram Katha Park is a vast open space where lots of events and artistic performances take place. When no events are happening, children and senior citizens use the place for recreation. It is a very nice and calm place where there is a lot of buzz and activity at all times.

Kaale Ram Mandir

One of the most unique and distinct temples of Ayodhya, the Kaale Ram Mandir is dedicated to a dark-skinned Lord Rama. It is a small temple where prayers are said to be answered. Many believe that a pilgrimage to Ayodhya is incomplete without a trip to this temple, so you should have it on your must-see list.

Dashrath Bhavan

Dashrath Bhavan is one of the most spectacular places you can see in Ayodhya. It is a massive palace that has many temples and beautiful idols inside it. It is believed to be the place where Lord Rama spent his childhood and so, it is a very big attraction in Ayodhya.

As you can see, there are many attractive places to visit in Ayodhya, and the city is very well-known for these attractions. Make sure you include them in your itinerary when you visit this holy town.

List of the most popular places to visit in Ayodhya

If you are interested in the Ayodhya attractions, take a look at this list and find out more about them and create a wonderful Ayodhya sightseeing itinerary: 

Ram Mandir

The first, and the most attractive Ayodhya tourist spot for you, is the Ram Mandir. The Ram Mandir has recently been inaugurated and is now open to the public. The temple is iconic and historic and is a very important Hindu pilgrim spot. The temple opens early in the morning, with the first Arti being performed at 4.30 am.

Ramkoth

The next, and a very beautiful Ayodhya tourist spot is the Ramkoth. It is an iconic place in Ayodhya with many tourists visiting every day. It is an ancient fort that holds a lot of information about the city’s culture and history. It takes about two hours to see this iconic place. 

Sita Ki Rasoi

One of the best Ayodhya tourist places, Sita Ki Rasoi is believed to have been the kitchen of Mata Sita, the wife of Lord Rama. It is a revered place and has become a major tourist attraction in Ayodhya.

Kanak Bhavan

One of the most fascinating Ayodhya tourist places, Kanak Bhavan is an ancient fort that has many golden Shri Vaidehi Vallabh Kunj idols of Lord Rama and Mata Sita. It is a beautiful structure with intricate architecture that would leave you mesmerised. It is definitely one of the best places to visit in Ayodhya.

Shri Vaidehi Vallabh Kunj 

A very beautiful and ancient temple in Ayodhya, the Shri Vaidehi Vallabh Kunj is one of the must-visit tourist attractions in Ayodhya. It is very serene and peaceful and you will find many people sitting and meditating here. Offer your prayers to Ram and Sita and see the intricate work on the walls of the temple for a fulfilling experience.

Naya Ghat

Naya Ghat is one of the most important tourist attractions in Ayodhya, mainly for the Hindu pilgrims as bathing at this holy place is considered to be very auspicious. It is located on the banks of the River Ghaghara. Make sure you visit this place when you go on your Ayodhya trip.

Janki Mahal

If you are looking for famous places in Ayodhya, the Janaki Mahal will surely feature on your list. This wonderful palace, located in the heart of the city, has a lot of history attached to it. It is a good idea for you to hire a qualified tourist guide to explore this place. This is one of the best places in Ayodhya.

Mani Parbat

There are many places to see in Ayodhya and one of them is Mani Parbat. A beautiful hillock located in the centre of the city, Mani Parbat has a lot of history and tradition attached to it. You can see the entire city of Ayodhya from the top of this hillock and get mesmerised by the views. You can visit this place, which is one of the best Ayodhya nearest tourist places, every day from 7 am to 6 pm.

Operating hours

Most of the places in Ayodhya have free entry, so no prices for the tickets. 

Interesting facts about Ayodhya 

While pilgrimage is one of the main reasons for an Ayodhya trip, the city also offers a lot of interesting historical and geographical references. Some of them are:

Stone Temple

The newly inaugurated Ram Mandir, which is one of the top Ayodhya attractions, is constructed with stone. It is quite fascinating to learn of this fact as the temple doesn't have any concrete or cement in it. The logic behind this is that the ancient temple of Lord Rama, which once stood at the same spot, was also constructed with stone. Stone has been used in the construction of many ancient monuments and structures in India, including several of Ayodhya’s nearby places and they have stood strong for thousands of years. Hence, the new Ram Mandir, which is one of the most important places to visit in Ayodhya and all across India, is made of stone.

Seat of Buddhism

Ayodhya is well-known for being the birthplace and kingdom of Shri Ram. However, another famous personality, Gautam Buddha, also had made Ayodhya his home for several years. As per the historical records, Buddha lived in some places in Ayodhya for many years and this city was the capital of the Kosala Kingdom, which was an important kingdom during the Buddhist times. There were hundreds of monasteries in the city at that time, but very few have been preserved today. However, there are many ruins and other places to visit near Ayodhya that point towards the lost Buddhist heritage.

Convergence of religions 

While most people associate Ayodhya with Hinduism, a beautiful fact about this place is that it is a centre for many religions and people of all faiths live here in harmony. There are several Hindu temples in Ayodhya, but there are also many places in Ayodhya with mosques, gurudwaras, monasteries and Jain temples in the city, which are very pleasant to see and visit.

You may have yet to learn these interesting facts about Ayodhya, but now that you know, make sure you thoroughly explore this fascinating city and all the Ayodhya places to visit on your next trip.

Recommended Ayodhya location packages

When you are going to the places near Ayodhya to visit, you should look to book from among the best Ayodhya Tour packages. Thomas Cook has some excellent Ayodhya Tour packages that help you see the place in a safe, convenient and economical manner. Explore all the packages and see which one suits you the best and then begin your journey to his holy and beautiful Indian town.