When you are looking for a religiously rich city for your next trip, “amazing” Ayodhya could be your best bet.
Counted among the oldest cities not just in India but the entire world, it is located in Uttar Pradesh, India. You may or may not know but Ayodhya was once known as Saketa.
This beautiful city is not only famous for its temples but several other things. Keep on reading this post to know more about the famous tourist places in Ayodhya.
So, let us get started!
Famous Places to visit in Ayodhya
1. Ram Janambhoomi
It is a sacred place in Ayodhya that should not be missed when you are here. As per Hindu mythology, Lord Ram was born here.
Ramayana, an Indian epic has also described that the 7th avatar of Lord Vishnu, Ram was born and grew up in this city that is situated beside the beautiful Sarayu River.
After a long battle in the court, the land of Ram Janambhoomi is all set to construct a huge temple here.
It is believed that the construction of this temple will be completed by 2024 but you can still go there and see the ongoing work of the temple.
2. Hanuman Garhi
Your Ayodhya sightseeing is incomplete if you do not visit this temple. Dedicated to the God Hanuman, the Hanuman Garhi temple is situated in Sai Nagar.
Dating back to around the 10th century, it is considered the most significant temple in Ayodhya.
According to Hindu mythology, you must pay a visit to this temple before exploring any other place here.
It is believed that lord Hanuman still lives here and protects the city from evil eyes. This is a hilltop temple that has a route of 76 staircases. The doors of this temple are the finest example of artwork.
When you enter the temple, you will see a huge statue of lord Hanuman. The inner cave of this temple is embellished with numerous beautifully carved sculptures of Hanuman and Maa Anjani (his mother).
Every year a lot of pilgrims visit here. But to have the best views, you can come here during Hanuman Jayanti and Ram Navami.
Get the Directions Here:
| Address | Sai Nagar, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh 224123 |
| Opening Hours | Monday to Sunday: 4:00 AM- 10:00 PM |
3. Kanak Bhawan
Situated in Tulsi Nagar, near the well-known Ram Janmabhoomi, it is also known as the SONE KA GHAR or GOLD/GOLDEN PALACE.
Dedicated to Lord Ram and his wife Goddess Sita, it was originally built in 1891. The Kanak Bhawan has 3 ‘golden-crowned’ sculptures under a dome made of pure silver.
According to mythological tales, the Kanak Bhawan was given as a wedding gift to Ram and Sita by their stepmother Kaikeyi.
During the reign of Vikramaditya, the whole palace went through a complete renovation. Along with refurbishment, the original structure was modified a bit.
Currently, the Sri Vrishbhan Dharma Setu Trust Pvt. Ltd. is managing and administrating this temple.
Get the Directions Here:
| Address: Q5XX+6M4, Tulsi Nagar, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh 224123 |
4. Nageshwarnath Temple
Going to the famous Nageshwarnath Temple is yet another great thing to do in Ayodhya.
Dedicated to the local god – Lord Nageshwarnath, it is situated right next to the famous Theri Bazaar.
It is believed that this temple was established by one of the sons of Lord Ram, Kush. The charm of this temple is on another level during the festivals such as Trayodashi (Pradosh Vratam or Pradosh Vrat) and Mahashivratri.
This temple attracts hundreds and thousands of devotees every year. The most amazing thing about this temple is that it is still in a good condition and has so many things to see and learn.
5. Gulab Bari
In simple terms, it is a Garden of Roses. Situated in the neighborhood of Vaidehi Nagar, the Gulab Bari has the tomb of the 3rd Nawab of Faizabad (Awadh or Oudh) Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula.
This place also has the tombs of his loving parents. The pure nawab-styled architecture of this garden will surely grab your eyeballs. It has a huge variety of roses along with lush greenery and fountains.
This place is also preserved under the “Ancient Monuments and Archeological Sites & Remains Act” as a national monument to keep our cultural heritage unharmed.
While you are here, you might not get permission to go to the upper floor due to the poor condition of the stairs. But yes, you always have access to the Gulab Bari.
By going there, you can enjoy the cultural, historical, and architectural allure of the city.
6. Treta ke Thakur Temple
This beautiful temple is closely situated in the Naya Ghat of Ayodhya. Currently, it houses so many beautiful idols of Lord Ram, Lakshman, Sita, Hanuman, Sugreev, Bharat, and so on.
According to experts, only one single block of black sandstone was used to carve out these statues. The region king Kullu built this temple around 300 years ago.
It is believed that the temple is in the same place as the Ashwamedha Yagna was done numerous years ago by Lord Ram. In the 1700s, Ahilyabai Holkar (a Maratha queen) made some improvements for the betterment of this temple.
If you feel that random visits will help you explore this temple, then you are wrong.
It is because the Treta ke Thakur temple is only open once a year for the public – Ekadashi. And yes, it is only for some hours only.
So, whenever you plan your visit to Ayodhya and are willing to explore this temple, always check the Hindu calendar to know when it will be open.
7. Choti Chawni
Also called Maniramdas Chawni or Valmiki Bhawan, Choti Chawni is a popular and beautifully carved structure with white marble.
This location is all about pure beauty and fresh air. All these make it worth visiting and the best place to visit in Ayodhya.
This bhawan consists of a total of 34 heritage caves. 17 of them are located in the middle (represents Hindu), 12 in the part of the south (represents Buddhist), and 5 on the side of the north (represents Jain).
The Choti Bhawan also has the Kailasha Temple which is an excellent example of artwork.
8. Sita ki Rasoi
Located near the famous Ram Janmabhoomi, Sita ki Rasoi is a kitchen that was used by the goddess and Ram’s wife Sita. It is a sacred site that is now converted into a temple.
This kitchen area cum temple is divided into different parts. One still has the appearance of a kitchen.
The other part, on the other hand, has the sculptures of the lord Ram, Lakshman, Shatrughan, and Bharat along with their wives goddesses Sita, Urmila, Srutakirti, and Mandavi.
You may or may not know but the goddess Sita is also called the Goddess Annapurna or Goddess of Food. You can also do some charitable work here by donating some money for the welfare of others.
9. Tulsi Smarak Bhawan
Another famous place in Ayodhya is Tulsi Smarak Bhawan which you should visit during your trip to this mesmerizing city.
It was originally constructed by Sri Vishwanath Das in 1969 on the National Highway in Ayodhya to commemorate Goswami Tulsidas. He was a famous saint-poet in the 16th century.
This place also has a huge library wherein you can get valuable literature created by Tulsidas. The Tulsi Smarak Bhawan also has a research center called the Ayodhya Research Sansthan.
If you want to learn more about the cultural, spiritual, and literary of Ayodhya, this is the best place for the same.
You can come here during the Tulsi Jayanti to attend the devotional songs, customary prayers, etc.
Get the Directions Here:
| Address | Q6V4+X22, New Colony, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh 224123 |
| Opening Hours | Monday to Saturday: 10:00 AM- 9:00 PM Sunday: 6:00 PM- 9:00 PM |
10. Bahu Begum ka Makbara
Situated on Faizabad’s Maqbara Road, it is called the Taj Mahal of the East due to its similar design.
In this area, the Bahu Begum ka Makbara is the tallest monument that tells the story of non-Mughal architectural excellence.
This monument is dedicated to the Queen and wife of Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula – Begum Unmatuzzohra Bano.
This monument has three different tombs. Each of them is designed intricately as the ceilings and walls are painted exquisitely.
If you are in Ayodhya to see the magnificent examples of Awadhi craftsmanship, then it is an ideal spot to visit. Some parts of this site are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.
11. Dashrath Bhawan
This eye-pleasing palace is located in the heart of the main city. Dashrath Bhawan was the house of Ayodhya’s king – Dasaratha and father of Lord Ram.
Dashrath Bhawan is also known as the Dashrath Mahal, Badi Jagah, or Bada Asthan. It is a fabulous complex that is open on holidays and weekends for visitors.
It is said that this palace was the boyhood home of Lord Rama. When you visit here, you will see embellished entryways with mesmerizing murals over the walls.
It is an ideal spot to visit, particularly during Diwali, Ram Navami, Karthik Mela, Shravan Mela, and Ram Vivah.
Get the Directions Here:
| Address | Q5WX+JQ4, Sai Nagar, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh 224123 |
| Opening Hours | Monday to Sunady: Open 24 Hours |
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Final takeaways
Some more places to see in Ayodhya include Raja Mandir, Ram Katha Park, Moti Mahal, and Guptar Ghat. This is a small city but has so many gems hidden inside its pocket.
All you need to do is – just do some online research and make a list of the places to visit and things to do. This will eliminate a lot of hassles and make your trip more exciting.
