Things to Do in Ayodhya Beyond the Ram Mandir

Things to Do in Ayodhya Beyond the Ram Mandir

Most visitors see the Ram Mandir and leave. That is a shame, because Ayodhya has been a city for a very long time and the layers underneath the new temple are worth a day of anyone's trip.

Here is what to see, roughly in the order that works.

Hanuman Garhi

The hilltop temple of Hanuman, and the one locals visit before Ram Lalla. The tradition is that Hanuman leads you to Ram, which is why it comes first in the sequence. There are around 76 steps up. The view over the city from the top is the best you will get.

Allow: 30–45 minutes including the climb.

Kanak Bhawan

A short walk from Hanuman Garhi, and traditionally the palace given to Sita at her marriage to Ram. The current building is much later than the story — it was rebuilt in the nineteenth century — but the temple holds a famed pair of Ram and Sita idols and the atmosphere in the early morning is calm and unhurried.

Allow: 30 minutes.

Dashrath Mahal

Close to Kanak Bhawan, and believed to be where Ram grew up. There is a small museum of sculptures inside. Quiet and often nearly empty.

Allow: 20–30 minutes.

Nageshwarnath Temple

One of the oldest surviving temples in Ayodhya, dedicated to Shiva, and traditionally said to have been established by Kush, Ram's son. It is a reminder that this was a Shaivite city long before it became a Vaishnavite pilgrimage centre.

Allow: 30 minutes. Combine with Dashrath Mahal.

Treta ke Thakur

A small temple by the river holding a set of statues recovered from the Saryu. It is not grand, and it is not on most itineraries, but it is the kind of place that rewards the extra half hour.

Allow: 30 minutes.

Ram Ki Paidi and the Saryu Aarti

The row of ghats along the Saryu, and the site of the evening aarti that has become the second thing everyone photographs. Arrive 30 to 45 minutes before it starts to get a seat on the steps. The morning light here is also excellent and there is almost nobody around.

Allow: an hour for the aarti, more if you linger.

Guptar Ghat

The quietest of the ghats, and the one people come back talking about. Set away from the centre — you need a car — with a small temple and a long sweep of river. Traditionally associated with Ram's departure from the world.

Allow: 45 minutes plus travel.

The lanes and the food

The old bazaar between the temple and the river is worth walking slowly. Look for:

• Ayodhya's sweets — peda and laddoo sold by weight, and much better fresh.
• Kachori and sabzi in the morning, from stalls that have been there for decades.
• Chai anywhere; nobody in Ayodhya makes bad chai.
• Sattvic thalis near the temple — no onion or garlic, and good value.

There is no alcohol in Ayodhya, and most restaurants near the temple are vegetarian. That is worth knowing before you plan a dinner.

What to drop when you are short on time

If you have one day: Hanuman Garhi, the Ram Mandir, and the Saryu Aarti. That is a complete trip.

If you have two days, add Kanak Bhawan, Dashrath Mahal and Guptar Ghat. Our two-day itinerary puts them in the right order.

If you have three days, you have time for all of the above plus a half day in the lanes and a trip out to Nandigram or the Jain temples at Ajodhya hill.

Practical notes

• Most of these temples have no entry fee. Donations are voluntary.
• Photography is restricted inside the Ram Mandir complex and some temples. Ask rather than assume.
• Timings shift with the season; a temple open at six in winter may open at five-thirty in summer.
• The walk between the temple area and the older sites is short but the traffic is heavy. Let a car take you.

Where to go next

• Complete Ayodhya Darshan, full day — a guided run through these sites, ₹2,499.
• Ancient Ayodhya heritage walk — the old city on foot with someone who knows it.
• Ayodhya destination guide — practical detail on the city itself.

Planning this trip and want someone local to handle it? Our office is on NH 28, Deokali Bypass, opposite Hotel Panchsheel, Ayodhya Dham. Message the desk on WhatsApp at +91 84008 08200 and we will put together an itinerary for your dates.