Ayodhya, a pious city and a spiritual centre situated by the banks of River Sarayu is home to countless temples and beautiful ghats. Ayodhya is considered to be one of the seven sacred cities in India and in Hindu mythology. Since this city is the place where Lord Ram took birth and led his life, it is considered to be very holy. There are several tourist places to visit in Ayodhya and several people travel from all over the country to the city to visit some of the most beautiful temples. The place is significant to all Hindus, especially to the devotees of Lord Ram and Hanuman. Let’s have a look at some of the most visited places in the city that has been defining the region for years now.

Dedicated to lord Ram and Sita, the Kanak Bhavan is significant in the Hindu religion. The shrine is a fine example of beautiful temple architecture and is one of the most visited places in Ayodhya. This structure is also known as Sone-ka-ghar meaning house of gold as there are several idols of Lord Ram and Sita  in the Bhavan wearing gold crowns. These idols are also adorned with beautiful gold jewellery and accessories that make the ambience of the Bhavan absolutely amazing. Tourists from India as well as foreigners visit Ayodhya to see the beautiful Kanak Bhawan.

Ramjanma Bhoomi is the place where Lord Ram had taken birth and is considered highly religious amongst Hindus. It is said that the temple at the original place of Lord Ram’s birth was demolished by the Mughal Emperor Babar in 1528 AD., after which a mosque was erected at the same site. In 1992, even this mosque was demolished and ever since, this site has been a topic of dispute amongst Hindus and Muslims. Even though the disputes go on even today, thousands of Hindus from all over the country visit the Ramjanma Bhoomi to complete their pilgrimage.

Located in Ayodhya, Hanuman Garhi is a temple that is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and the place is much revered by Hindus with several people coming every year to visit the place. The shape of the temple is that of a fort and is situated in the center of the town. This popular place of worship amongst tourists is highly revered and you will have to climb 76 steps to get to the temple. It is said that Lord Hanuman stayed here in a cave and watched over and protected Ramkot; the place where Lord Ram was born. The fort like structure has four corners with circular bastions adorned in every corner.

Tulsi Udyan is a famous garden in Ayodhya. Previously, the place was called Victoria Park and had an idol of Queen Victoria at the center of the park. An idol of Goswami Tulsidas was erected in the park in the year 1960 and later on was renamed and known as Tulsi Udyan. The Park is very peaceful and is a great place to spend some time and regain your energy; a walk in the park will definitely refresh your senses and you would be ready for more sightseeing. Tulsi Udyan is situated on the National Highway of Faziabad and is a good place to go to if you with children or older people.

Kush, the son of Lord Ram built the beautiful Nageshwarnath Temple. It is said that Kush was once bathing in the Sarayu River and lost his armlet; later on the same was found by a Nag-Kanya, who fell in love with him. She was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva and hence Kush made this temple to give her devotion importance. Religiously, this is a very significant temple and is said to have survived many natural calamities as well. It is also said that this was the sole temple that survived till Vikramaditya’s era. Devotees of Shiva flock to this temple during Shivratri, making this one of the most popular temples in Ayodhya.

Treta ke Thakur is located close to Naya Ghat in Ayodhya and is dedicated to Lord Ram. It is said that this is the place where Lord Ram performed the Ashvamedha Yajna and is believed to be very sacred amongst Hindus. This place has seen several empires and kingdoms ruling over region and almost 300 years ago, the King of Kullu had built a temple called Kaleram ka Mandir and later on the Ahilyabai, the Maratha Queen renovated this temple. Inside the temple you can find idols of Ram, Sita, Laxman, Hanuman, Sugreev and many more in black sandstone that were originally from Ram Temple near the river. The temple opens only on Ekadashi that happens once a year and several people visit the temple during that time.

Gulab Bari is a beautiful and a very well maintained rose garden in Ayodhya. This garden is spread around the tomb of Suja-Ud-Daula. This charming space that has green lawns and decorative water features are the highlights of the park. The park has a beautiful rose garden apart from which there is an Imambara and also a mosque which is built in the vicinity. The structure that encloses the tomb is absolutely stunning; its architecture is particularly interesting to see. If you want to go for a morning walk or a picnic with your friends and family, Gulab Bari is the perfect spot.

A revered site amongst Hindus is the Guptar Ghat, situated on the banks of River Sarayu. Legend has it that Lord Ram would meditate in this spot and took a Jal Samadhi in the water of the river, after which he attained vaikuntha. After attaining this state, he left the human body to go back to heaven as Lord Vishnu. Many Hindus visit this place as a part of their pilgrimage. The place consists of several other ghats that were built in the 19th century which led the way towards the river. On top of these steps is a temple that is dedicated to Lord Ram and Sita. You can also find here the Chakrahari shrine and Narsingh Temple.

Located in Ramkot, at the center of the city is the Dashrath Bhawan. This structure is the original residence of King Dashrath; the ruler of Ayodhya and the father of Lord Ram. The Bhawan is also known as Bada Asthan or Badi Jagah and has a magnificent collection of shrines depicting Lord Ram and Sita. The palace is stunning with beautiful paintings and decorations right from the time you enter the Bhawan. The entrance is adorned with ornamented decorations that will definitely catch your attention. Inside the palace, in the courtyards you can see several monks wearing their saffron garments, chanting mantras or simply meditating.

Dedicated to the famous saint and poet, Goswami Tulsidas ji is the popular Tulsi Smarak Bhawan. The Bhawan houses the Ayodhya Research Center; an organization that studies the historical significance of Ayodhya in the literary, spiritual and cultural sense. Inside the Bhawan you will find exhibitions displaying various artifacts from the era of Lord Ram in Ayodhya. Other than this, the Tulsi Smarak Bhawan is used for various religious gatherings, prayer meetings, and also as a cultural center where concerts and dances are held. There is also a small museum where you see various exhibits of arts and crafts from the bygone eras of Ayodhya.