Plan Your Ayodhya Trip
— Stay, Routes & Darshan

Use this page as a practical checklist: book free darshan first, lock a stay, then plan routes to Mandir, Hanuman Garhi and Saryu.

Essential booking links

Where to stay — hotels & hostels

1. Government / tourism hotels (safer for first-timers)

Book through UPSTDC Ayodhya hotels. Popular pilgrim-friendly options include Hotel Saket (near station / Mandir side) and Saryu Atithi Grah (near Saryu Ghat).

2. Dharamshalas & trust stays

Many trusts run dharamshalas near Ram Mandir and Karsewakpuram. Book only via phone numbers published on the trust’s own site, ask for written confirmation, and never pay large advances on random WhatsApp numbers. Fake “Birla / Janaki Mahal” listings are common — verify before paying.

3. Hotels & private stays

Plenty of hotels have opened within 1–3 km of the Mandir. Book early for Ram Navami, Deepotsav and weekends. Prefer properties with clear cancellation policy and GST invoice.

How to reach Ayodhya

• By air: Maharishi Valmiki International Airport (Ayodhya) — taxis / cabs to Mandir (~30–45 min depending on traffic).
• By train: Ayodhya Cantt / Ayodhya Dham — autos and e-rickshaws to Mandir (often 10–20 min).
• By road: ~135 km from Lucknow via NH27; overnight buses from major North Indian cities.

Simple 1–2 day itinerary

Day 1

1. Morning: Saryu snan (optional) → Ram Mandir darshan (booked slot)
2. Afternoon: Hanuman Garhi → Kanak Bhawan
3. Evening: Saryu Ghat aarti atmosphere · rest

Day 2 (optional)

1. Early: 5 Kos Parikrama segment or Nageshwarnath / other temples
2. Return darshan if you have a second free slot
3. Depart after lunch to avoid noon closure queues

Ram Mandir aarti snapshot (official, from 18 Apr 2026)

• Mangala Aarti — 4:00 AM (free pass)
• Shringar Aarti — 6:00 AM (free pass)
• Free darshan windows — 7 AM–12 PM & 1 PM–9 PM (2-hour slots)
• Shayan Aarti — 10:00 PM (free pass)

Full booking walkthrough: How to book Ram Mandir darshan.