The eternal birthplace of Maryada Purushottam Lord Shri Rama and the ancient solar capital of the Ikshvaku Dynasty along the sacred Sarayu River, Shri Ayodhya Dham is the foremost of the seven holy Moksha Puris, crowned by the majestic newly consecrated Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir.
Ayodhya, meaning "the city that cannot be conquered in battle," was founded by Manu, the progenitor of mankind, as chronicled in the Valmiki Ramayana. It flourished as the illustrious capital of the Suryavanshi kings—including Emperor Ikshvaku, Harishchandra, Raghu, and Maharaja Dasharatha—culminating in the divine advent of Lord Shri Rama in Treta Yuga. For thousands of years, the sacred birthplace (Ram Janmabhoomi) remained a vibrant beacon of Sanatana faith and culture.
Following a historic civilizational quest spanning nearly five centuries, the grand new Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir was consecrated (Pran Pratishtha) on 22 January 2024. Designed by the celebrated Sompura family of temple architects, the monumental 3-storey temple is built entirely from pink sandstone quarried from Bansi Paharpur (Rajasthan) without using a single kilogram of iron or structural steel, engineered by scientists at CBRI Roorkee to endure for over a millennium. Inside the sanctum, the 51-inch Krishna Shila deity of 5-year-old Ram Lalla, sculpted by master artist Arun Yogiraj, radiates supreme innocence, tranquility, and divine sovereignty.
The Ayodhya Mahatmya of the Skanda Purana describes the sacredness of Ayodhya: simply entering its perimeter cleanses the soul of past transgressions. When Lord Rama concluded His earthly incarnation (Avatara Leela), He walked into the waters of the Sarayu River accompanied by the devoted citizens of Ayodhya, ascending together to the heavenly realm of Vaikuntha.
Another beloved legend tells of Hanumangarhi: when Lord Rama returned triumphant from Lanka, He gifted this high fortified hillock to Lord Hanuman to watch over and protect the city of Ayodhya. To this day, tradition decrees that every pilgrim must first pay their respects to Kotwal Hanumanji at Hanumangarhi before proceeding to seek the blessings of Ram Lalla at the Janmabhoomi. Furthermore, on every Ram Navami at exact noon, an astonishing optical system devised by Indian scientists illuminates the forehead of Ram Lalla with a precise, celestial Surya Tilak using concentrated solar rays.
Ayodhya is celebrated as the first of the seven sacred Moksha Puris: "Ayodhya Mathura Maya Kashi Kanchi Avantika | Puri Dvaravati Chaiva Saptaite Mokshadayikah ||". The temple stands not merely as stone and mortar, but as an eternal symbol of righteousness, cultural endurance, and dharma.
The 3-storey stone masterpiece with 5 ornate mandapas (Nritya, Rang, Sabha, Prarthana, and Kirtan), 392 sculpted pillars, and the sanctum of Ram Lalla.
An optomechanical marvel designed by CBRI Roorkee and IIA Bengaluru that directs sunlight onto Ram Lalla’s forehead on every Ram Navami noon.
The 10th-century fortress temple perched on 76 steps where Lord Hanuman resides as the divine sovereign protector of Ayodhya.
The ornate palace gifted by Queen Kaikeyi to Devi Sita upon her wedding, housing deities of Rama and Sita wearing gold crowns.
The sprawling riverfront steps on the holy Sarayu where millions of earthen lamps are lit during the annual Diwali Deepotsav Guinness World Record.
An ancient Shiva temple established by Lord Rama’s son Kusha, honoring a celestial Nagakanya.
Pilgrims traditionally begin the pilgrimage with a holy bath at the Sarayu River (Ram Ki Paidi), visit Hanumangarhi for blessings, and then enter the Ram Janmabhoomi complex. Modern entry passes (Sugam Darshan) and free general queues are facilitated seamlessly via the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra portal.
| Aarti / Sacred Ritual | Prescribed Timings |
|---|---|
| Mangala Aarti (Pre-Dawn Waking) | 06:30 AM |
| Shringar Aarti & Public Morning Darshan | 07:00 AM - 11:30 AM |
| Bhog Aarti & Midday Rest | 11:30 AM - 01:30 PM |
| Afternoon & Evening Darshan | 01:30 PM - 07:00 PM |
| Sandhya Aarti | 07:00 PM - 07:30 PM |
| Shayan Aarti & Temple Closure | 09:30 PM - 10:00 PM |
Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhya Dham (AYJ) is located just 10 km from the Ram Mandir, operating daily flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai.
Ayodhya Dham Junction is an architectural marvel designed like a temple, equipped with airport-style lounges. Ayodhya Cantt Station also connects to major railway hubs across India.
Ayodhya is connected via four-lane national highways to Lucknow (130 km), Varanasi (200 km), Gorakhpur (140 km), and Prayagraj (160 km).
October to March offers delightfully pleasant weather. Ram Navami (March/April) and Diwali (October/November) host the world-renowned Deepotsav.
Dharamshalas, pilgrim tent cities, luxury heritage homestays, and newly opened international hotels provide comfortable accommodations.
Recite these dedicated stotrams, Vedic mantras, and chalisas to attain the divine grace of the presiding deity:
According to sacred tradition, Lord Rama appointed Hanuman as the royal guardian and ruler of Ayodhya. Taking the permission and blessings of Hanumanji first is deemed essential for fulfilling one’s pilgrimage to Ayodhya.
Engineered by scientists at CBRI Roorkee and the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, an optomechanical system of brass pipes, mirrors, and convex lenses redirects sunlight at exact noon on Ram Navami to create a 75 mm circular tilak on Ram Lalla’s forehead for 4 to 5 minutes.
The 51-inch deity is carved from 2.5-billion-year-old Krishna Shila (black schist stone) sourced from Jaya Nagar in Mysuru, Karnataka by sculptor Arun Yogiraj. It does not react with milk, water, or kumkum.
Maharishi Valmiki International Airport is approximately 10 kilometers away, reachable in 20-25 minutes by taxi or electric shuttle bus.
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