Ayodhya
Where the Ramayana Lives Beside the Sarayu
Discover Ayodhya
Where the Ramayana Lives Beside the Sarayu
About Ayodhya
Ayodhya is an ancient pilgrimage city on the banks of the Sarayu River, revered as the birthplace of Lord Rama and deeply connected with the Ramayana. Temple bells, sacred ghats, devotional processions and recitations shape the atmosphere of a destination where mythology, faith and everyday life remain closely intertwined.
History and legacy
Tradition identifies Ayodhya as the capital of the ancient Kosala kingdom and the setting for important episodes of the Ramayana. Across centuries, dynasties and devotional movements added temples, shrines and riverfront spaces, giving the city a layered spiritual and architectural identity.
Culture and character
Prayer, bhajans, temple rituals and ceremonies along the Sarayu form the heart of local life. Festivals associated with Lord Rama bring lamps, music and processions to the city, while smaller shrines and old neighbourhoods reveal quieter forms of devotion.
Destination facts
- 01
Ayodhya is revered in Hindu tradition as the birthplace of Lord Rama.
- 02
The Sarayu River and its ghats are central to pilgrimage and ritual life.
- 03
Ram Ki Paidi forms one of the city’s best-known riverfront settings.
- 04
Hanuman Garhi and Kanak Bhawan are among Ayodhya’s important devotional landmarks.
Follow the sacred rhythm
Explore the riverfront early in the morning, allow additional time around major temples and dress modestly. Festival periods can be extremely busy, so move patiently, respect queues and avoid treating active rituals as staged attractions.
Itineraries Featuring AYODHYA
Why We Love Ayodhya
Temple bells, Sarayu ghats and stories carried for centuries. Ayodhya is devotion shaped into a city.
A Sacred City of Rama
Temples and pilgrimage routes keep the Ramayana tradition present.
Evenings Beside the Sarayu
Ghats along the river become calm spaces for prayer and reflection.
A City Lit for Deepotsav
Lamps transform streets, temples and riverfront steps into a golden spectacle.
Stories Across Many Centuries
Ancient traditions, archaeology and later kingdoms overlap across the city.
Temples Shape the Skyline
New and historic shrines create a constantly evolving sacred landscape.
Simple Flavours for Pilgrims
Sweets, kachori and vegetarian meals suit the city's devotional rhythm.
An Ancient City of Sacred Memory
Ayodhya appears in ancient Indian traditions and became closely associated with the life of Lord Rama. Its temples, ghats and pilgrimage routes continue to define the city.
Deepotsav Turns Night to Gold
During Deepotsav, vast displays of oil lamps illuminate the Sarayu ghats and celebrate Ayodhya's connection with the return of Lord Rama.













