The holy city of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh is one of the oldest cities in the world and a famous tourist attraction. Earlier this ancient city was formally known as Saket and currently, this city is famous as Ayodhya, the birthplace of Ram. With its major attractions, the city attracts many tourists both globally and locally. In this article, we will give in-depth information about the best tourist places in Ayodhya that you must visit in 2024.
Best Tourist Places in Ayodhya for Everyone
Ayodhya is the birthplace of Lord Ram and is an ancient city. There are more grand temples built here for visiting places in Ayodhya. We mentioned all the famous tourist places in Ayodhya whose names are as follows-
- Ram JanmBhoomi or Ram Mandir
- Kanak Bhawan
- Hanuman Garhi
- Nageshwarnath Temple
- Treta Ke Thakur Temple
- Gulab Bari
- Sita’s Kitchen
- Tulsi Memorial Bhawan
- Choti Chawni
- Moti Mahal
- Ram Ki Paidi
Tourist Places in Ayodhya
1. Ram Janmabhoomi or Ram Mandir
Ayodhya is situated on the banks of the sacred Saryu river in Uttar Pradesh. This city of Ayodhya itself is known as the birthplace of Ram. Ayodhya is considered one of the seven holy cities. An important pilgrimage site for Hindus in India.
As you all know on August 5, 2020, a program was held to lay the foundation stone for the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya and this program, the Bhoomi Pujan of Ram Janmabhoomi was completed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. About 175 guests were also invited to this Bhoomi Pujan. The construction work of Ram temple is still going on and it will be opened for devotees as soon as it is completed.
Ayodhya is primarily a city of temples. Remains of Hindu, Muslim, Jain and Buddhist religions have also been found here. Its antiquity is its highest quality which attracts travelers a lot.
In the history of ancient India, the period of Ramayana was the most glorious. This era was famous not only for the composition of the sacred scriptures, the Vedas and other literature that laid the foundation of Indian culture and civilization but also for its exemplary rule of law and righteousness. Lord Ram was the ‘ideal man’ of Ramayana. The construction work of this temple is almost completed and it is expected that the Ayodhya Ram temple will be inaugurated by PM Modi on 24 January 2024.
2. Kanak Bhawan
Kanak Bhavan is made of ‘Kanak’ meaning gold; hence it is also called “Golden House”. The Kanak Temple has a very beautiful statue of Lord Ram and Sita with a gold crown installed on their heads. Fine artistry has been used in making these statues and you will be mesmerized after seeing them. The main attraction here is the wonderful performance of songs and music. There is a crowd of tourists here to see this.
The sanctum sanctorum of Kanak Bhawan is also known as the ‘Golden Palace’. There are also three gold-crowned statues of two deities under a silver dome, representing the golden palace (Garbhagriha). People believe that Ram’s stepmother Kaikeyi had given this temple as a gift to Ram and Sita on the occasion of their marriage.
Location: Tulsi Nagar, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh
Timing– N/A
3. Hanuman Garhi
The Hanuman Garhi temple is situated in the centre of the city. This Temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Hanuman Ji and is one of the most important and famous temples of Ayodhya as it is customary to visit Hanuman Garhi before visiting the Ram temple in Ayodhya. At this place, people believe that Lord Hanuman used to live in a cave here and protect the birthplace of Ram.
The Nawab of Awadh built the temple in the 10th century, and to reach this temple one has to climb 76 steps. There is a 6-inch tall idol of Lord Hanuman ji in the temple. In this temple, there are many famous statues of Lord Hanuman along with his mother Anjani.
Location: Sai Nagar area of Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh
Timings: 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Entry: Free
4. Nageshwarnath Temple
The Nageshwarnath Temple, named after the local deity Lord Nageshwarnath, is located next to Theri Bazaar in Ayodhya. According to traditions, it is believed that it was founded by Kush, son of Lord Rama. The present-day temple was renovated in 1750 by Naval Rai, the minister of Safar Jang. Those people who keep fast during the festivals of Mahashivratri and Trayodashi are also very attracted towards Nageshwarnath temple. This is also known as Pradosh Vrat in South India.
Location: Kunj Marg, Theri Bazar, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh
Timings: 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Aarti Timings: 5:00 AM to 6:00 AM and 8:00 PM to 8:30 PM
5. Treta Ke Thakur Temple
The Treta Ke Thakur Temple is situated on the banks of Naya Ghat of Ayodhya. This temple has many idols including Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshman, Hanuman, Bharat and Sugriva. These statues are made from single black sandstone.
It is believed that Treta Ke Thakur Temple was built by King Kullu. The temple was renovated by the Maratha queen Ahilyabai Holkar in the 1700s. And this temple was built on the land of the famous Ashwamedha Yagya performed by Lord Rama. This temple is open to the public only once a year on the eleventh day of Shukla Paksha of Kartik month i.e. on Ekadashi.
Location: Theri Bazar, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh
Timings: Open for 24 hours on the day of Treta Ke Thakur Ekadashi. This usually occurs during November.
6. Gulab Bari
The English translation of Gulab Bari, located in Ayodhya district, is ‘rose garden’. It is not just a garden but much more than that as it also houses many monuments. Different types of roses have been planted in it which adds to its decoration. This place is famous in Ayodhya for its magnificent and glorious view.
Location: Gulab Bari, Ayodhya (Faizabad), UP
Timings: 4:00 AM – 07:00 PM (Monday to Sunday)
Entry Fees: No entry fee
7. Sita’s Kitchen
Sita Mata’s kitchen is in Chitrakoot Dham on the banks of the Mandakini River in Uttar Pradesh. It is believed that Mother Sita used to cook food in this kitchen during her exile. The belief of Chitrakoot Dham is thousands of years old and lakhs of devotees throng here. At this place, there is a mountain named Kamad Giri, which is believed to fulfil all the wishes of whoever circles it.
This kitchen is considered a sacred place, which has now been converted into a temple and some utensils are kept on display. Mother Sita is revered as the goddess of food and is called ‘Maa Annapurna’. At the other end of this temple are the idols of Ram, Lakshman, Bharat and Shatrughan and their wives Sita, Urmila, Mandvi and Shrutakirti.
Location: Rani Bazar Colony, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh
Timings: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Entry Fees: No entry fee
8. Tulsi Memorial Bhawan
Tulsi Memorial Building is located at the eastern end of the National Highway near Rajgang Crossing in Ayodhya. The memorial was built in 1969 by the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Vishwanath Das, in memory of the 16th-century saint poet Goswami Tulsidas. It was at this place that Tulsidasji composed “Ramcharitramanas”. There is a treasure of valuable literature here which is in the form of a huge library.
The Tulsi Memorial also includes a research centre known as the ‘Ayodhya Research Institute’, dedicated to the study of Ayodhya. Ayodhya Research Institute is used to research literary, spiritual and cultural knowledge of Ayodhya. Traditional stories, devotional songs and discourses related to Lord Ram and other Gods and Goddesses are also organized here.
Tulsi Jayanti is celebrated with great pomp on the seventh day of the month of Shravan at the Tulsi Memorial Building.
Location: New Colony, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh
Timings: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Ramleela Performance Timings: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Library Timings: 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Entry Fees: No entry fee
Note- Closed on Mondays and second Sundays of every month
9. Choti Chawni
Chhoti Chhawni is a unique building in Ayodhya, which is completely made of white marble. This cantonment is also famous by the name of Valmiki Bhawan and is often known as Maniramdas Cantonment. This place is very attractive and attracts tourists.
Thirty-four heritage caves are located in the small cantonment, of which 12 are Buddhist in the south, 17 are Hindu in the middle, and 5 are Jain in the north, making it an important and elaborately architectural complex. The presence of Kailash temple here adds to the beauty inside the caves.
Location: Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh
Timings: Open 24 Hours
Entry Fees: No Entry Fee
10. Moti Mahal
The Moti Mahal is located in Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh, which is a palace with historical and cultural value. Moti Mahal is also known as “Pearl Palace”. Moti Mahal is a popular place for tourists. Tourists from outside India also come to visit here. It is known for its grandeur as a building and for capturing the essence of the culture here and contains a unique history in Uttar Pradesh.
Location: Gudri Bazar, Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh
Moti Mahal Timings: 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Entry Fees: No Entry Fee
11. Ram Ki Paidi
Ram Ki Paidi is a series of ghats on the banks of the Saryu River in Ayodhya. A large number of pilgrims come every day to take a holy bath in the waters of this sacred Saryu river. People can be seen lighting lamps at the ghat on Ram Ki Paadi.
According to mythology, it is believed that once Lakshman ji decided to visit all the pilgrimage sites. Then Shri Ram Ji established this Pauri here and said that all the pilgrims would come here for bathing in the evening and whoever took a bath here during this period, will get the virtue of all the pilgrims.
Location: Theri Bazar, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh
Entry Fees: No Entry Fee
Conclusion
In conclusion, this article shows you all the best tourist places in Ayodhya for must visit when you visit the Ayodhya. The Ram Mandir or Ram Janm Bhoomi is the best place to visit in Ayodhya because this Temple is opening on 24 January 2024 for a publically. Along with this, there are many other famous attractions to visit which are described in this article.
