Ayodhya is one of the top seven religious cities in the state of Uttar Pradesh in northern India. The city is the birthplace of Lord Ram and the epic of Ramayana was set in this city as well. Usually people visit the city to complete their pilgrimage and to see the various temples and other religious places. Tourism in Ayodhya is booming as it caters to the religious people in India, but other than this there are quite a few things to do in the city as well. The best time to visit the city is during the winters when the weather is cold and pleasant and allows you to go sightseeing and enjoy the city for what it is. You can visit several museums, watch cultural shows and relax at beautiful gardens in Ayodhya to see the city from a different angle. Read through our travel guide to Ayodhya to get an idea of the places to visit in this beautiful pious city.

By Air:

The closest airport to Ayodhya is the Faziabad Airport which is distanced at 8.2 km from the center of the city. You can also take a flight to to Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport located in Lucknow as this airport has more frequent flights from other cities in the country.

By Road:

Ayodhya is well linked to other cities in the state. Several national and state highways connect various cities in Uttar Pradesh to Ayodhya. You can also travel by busses that are run by UPSRTC which are not only comfortable but cost efficient, especially if you are on a budget.

By Rail:

The Ayodhya Junction Railway Station is the closest railhead to the city and is distanced at 450 m from the main city. This is one of the most convenient ways to travel to this holy city. You can also take a train to Faziabad Junction Railway Station that is located 10.6 km from Ayodhya city; trains are more frequent to this railway station.

Getting Around:

Getting around in Ayodhya city is easy as there are various modes of transportation. You can take an autorickshaw, bus or even a tonga. The best and the most economical way to move around is to use state run busses as they are always on schedule and are cheap as well. For a more comfortable ride take a taxi or an autorickshaw.

Summer (April-June):

Summers in Ayodhya are the hottest and it is best not to travel at that point of time. Temperatures range from a scorching 43°C to 32°C in the night. It is best to avoid travel during this time, but if you absolutely must, do carry appropriate light clothing for the weather.

Monsoon (July-September):

The rains bring in respite by making the climate a little cooler. Temperatures during this time range from 22°C-32°C and the humidity in the air still remains. The region sees a good amount of rainfall and the weather becomes absolutely cool and pleasant to go sightseeing as well.

Winter (October-March):

The best time to visit Ayodhya is during winters that last from October to March. The weather during this time is very cool and so very pleasant that you will not mind sightseeing for hours. Temperatures during this time range from 5°C to 20°C; due to the cool climate you tend to not get tired very easily, making it a great time to visit.

Visit Lord Ram’s Birthplace:

If you are visiting Ayodhya, it goes without saying that you must visit the spot where Lord Ram was born. Considered very religious amongst Hindus, the Ramjanma Bhoomi is one of the most popular places of visit in the city and sees thousands of tourists and pilgrims throughout the year.

Relax in Beautiful Gardens:

Ayodhya has some of the most beautiful gardens that are decorated lavishly and serve as a point of relaxation for many. Visit the Tulsi Udyan for a morning walk or simply relax in the shade of a tree and read a book. You can also visit the famous Gulab Bari garden to enjoy a peaceful afternoon with nature.

See a Cultural Show:

If you are looking to relax along with some entertainment, watch a cultural show at Ramkatha Park. Instead of going to a crowded theatre, visit this park to enjoy prayer meetings, storytelling and cultural performances and dance at the Ramkatha Park. On days when there are no shows, you can simply sit in the park and enjoy nature.

Visit Mani Parbat:

Mani Parbat is believed to be a part of the mountain that was carried by Lord Hanuman in search of the Sanjeevani Booti. It is a famous place that is visited by many pilgrims and is considered a very holy place in Hindu mythology.

Visit Ram ki Paidi:

Ayodhya is situated right next to the holy Sarayu River and right beside the river is an array of holy ghats. These ghats comprise of several temples that people visit. Early morning or evenings are the best times to visit this place and the place looks picturesque in the natural light.

Anywhere you go, food is an important component of the place. Even in the religious city of Ayodhya, there are several places to eat in but most of them are of vegetarian restaurants. You can visit Makan-Malai Restaurant which is set up at the basement of Hotel Ramprastha. The restaurant serves delicious Indian and Chinese food. If you are looking for a hip ambience, you can always go to Awantika restaurant; it has a lounge like atmosphere which is more enjoyed by youngsters. Other eateries include Chandra Madwadi Bhojanalaya, Shri Kanak Bhawan Prasad Grih and many more inside the city. Enjoy snacks like chaat, samosa, alu chaat and more on the streets of Ayodhya.

Shopping is an important part of any trip, as in Ayodhya as well. Throughout the city you can see several shops and bazaars that sell authentic goods from the city that you can buy and take back home as a memento. Shops by the Ayodhya Temple are sprawling with tourists coming in to buy some knick knacks; you can find various things to buy like idols of gods and goddesses, photos of temples, fridge magnets, devotional and religious things, books and many more. In a lot of narrow laned streets of the city you can also find things like textiles, brassware and many more objects of daily use. Opposite the Kanak Bhawan you can find many shops selling handicraft bags, kurtas, religious books and sweets as well.