Ayodhya is a city in India with a lot of religious importance. It is in the Faizabad district of Uttar Pradesh. People believe Lord Rama, a very important god in Hinduism, was born there. The city has many temples and places where people go to visit, all connected to Lord Rama’s life and stories.
In the sacred city of Ayodhya, where Lord Ram is believed to have been born, Diwali might become a spiritual paradise. Ayodhya is special because it marks Lord Ram’s return home after 14 years, making Diwali here a unique celebration. Even though the main day of the event is November 1st, 2024, the festivities go on for several days, including rituals, lights, and cultural shows.
- More than 2.5 million lamps will be lit to try and set a new world record.
- This includes traditional ceremonies, cultural shows, and community events.
- A 15-minute show with 500 drones, showing scenes from the Ramayana story.
- A colorful procession celebrating Lord Rama’s return home with decorated floats and traditional music.
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Popular Places to Visit During Ayodhya Diwali
The spiritual celebration of Diwali, Ayodhya has many historical and religious sites that make your visit more meaningful. If you’re planning to be in the city for Ayodhya Diwali in 2024, here are some places you should definitely see:
- Ram Janmabhoomi Temple
- Hanuman Garhi Temple
- Kanak Bhawan Temple
- Saryu River Ghats
- Treta Ke Thakur Temple
- Guptar Ghat
- Nageshwarnath Temple
- Sita Samadhi
How to Reach Ayodhya?
Ayodhya is conveniently accessible from anywhere in India because of its great road, rail, and air connections. Here’s how you can travel to this sacred city.
Air Travel
The nearest big airport to Ayodhya is Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow (LKO). It takes around two to three hours to travel from Lucknow to Ayodhya by taxi or bus. The cost for a taxi ride from the airport to Ayodhya is between â‚ą2,000 and â‚ą3,000.
BY AIR | DEPARTURE AIRPORT | TRAVEL DURATION | AVERAGE COST |
Delhi to Lucknow | Indira Gandhi International Airport | 1 hour 10 minutes | â‚ą3,000-â‚ą4,500 per person. |
Mumbai to Lucknow | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport | 2 hours 15 minutes | â‚ą4,500-â‚ą6,000 |
Kolkata to Lucknow | Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport | 1 hour 45 minutes | â‚ą3,500-â‚ą5,000 |
Chennai to Lucknow | Chennai’s International Airport | 2 hours 45 minutes | ₹5,000-₹7,000 |
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Train Travel
Well-connected train station, Ayodhya has many trains coming from all over the country. Taking a train to Ayodhya is not only cheap but also gives you beautiful views of the countryside. Here are four popular trains from big cities.
Train Name | Train Number | Departure Time & Station | Arrival Time & Station | Average Per/Person Tickets Price |
VANDE BHARAT EXP | 22426 | 06:10 Anand Vihar Terminal | Ayodhya Cantt at 14:30 | â‚ą1630 |
AYODHYA EXPRESS | 14206 | New Delhi Railway Station at 18:20 | Ayodhya Cantt at 07:15 am the next day | â‚ą320 (Sleeper), â‚ą950 (3AC), â‚ą1355 (2AC), â‚ą2255 (1Ac) |
AMRIT BHARAT EXP | 15558 | 15:10 ANVT | 01:10 AY | â‚ą 420 for sleeper Class |
Road Travel
- Delhi to Ayodhya: 706 km, NH19, 10-11 hours
- Lucknow to Ayodhya: 135 km, NH27, 2-3 hours
- Varanasi to Ayodhya: 218 km, NH31 & NH27, 4-5 hours
- Gorakhpur to Ayodhya: 134.7 km, 3 hours
Ram Janmabhoomi
Center of attraction in Ayodhya, recently inaugurated Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, whose sanctification ceremony made this City of Nawabs one of the most sought-after travel destinations in Uttar Pradesh. The festival is especially grand at Ram Janmabhoomi, the site purportedly to be Lord Ram’s birthplace where special prayers and rituals are performed for thousands of devotees.
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Ram Ki Paidi
Every year, Deepotsav in Ayodhya where lakhs of Diya’ are lit along the banks of River Sarayu Just like every year, the best day to visit The Ghats would be 31st October this time (Diwali eve) and witness more than a dozen thousand diyas illuminate maximum has there been on its banks for years. You can even hire a boat and view it from the riverside.
Hanuman Garhi
This ancient temple dedicated to Hanuman is placed on a hill and provides panoramic views of Ayodhya. How Lord Hanuman lived there for the protection of Ayodhya, locals share The temple bears a beautiful idol of Lord Hanuman as a child (bal roop) resting on the lap of his mother, Mata Anjani and hence is widely visited by devotees during Diwali festival.
Dashrath Mahal
Birthplace of Lord Ram, where he spent his childhood with his family. Dashrath Mahal is located near Hanuman Garhi, the residence of King Dasharatha. Inside the palace, there is a temple of Lord Rama, Lakshman, and Sita. This palace displays intricate architecture and is a must-visit for those interested in history.
Nageshwarnath Temple
This temple in Ayodhya, situated near Ram ki Paidi, is thought to have been built by Kush, Lord Ram’s son, and is devoted to Lord Shiva. According to stories, it was constructed for a snake princess who fell in love with Kush after finding a bracelet he lost while swimming in the Sarayu River. The temple has been rebuilt many times, and the current building dates back to 1750. Shivratri is a big celebration here, drawing thousands of worshippers.
Gulab Bari
Gulab Bari is a garden filled with roses and a tomb located in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. It contains the resting place of Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula, who was the third ruler of Oudh. Famous for its lovely roses and calm environment, Gulab Bari serves as both a religious site and a center of culture. There is a story that this place is linked to a well in Lucknow and was used as a hiding spot for the Nawab’s descendants.
How five days of Diwali is celebrated in Ayodhya?
Day | Event | Significance |
Dhanteras | Buying gold and new things | Represents wealth and success |
Naraka Chaturdashi | Cleaning and praying | Protecting against bad things and negative feelings |
Diwali and Deepotsav | Lighting lamps, cultural shows, fireworks | The big Diwali party in Ayodhya |
Govardhan Puja | Honoring cows and doing special rituals | Showing respect to Lord Krishna |
Bhai Dooj | Celebrating the special relationship between brothers and sisters | Signaling the end of the Diwali celebrations |
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Food to Try During Diwali in Ayodhya
Dish | Description | Locations |
Thali | A plate of different vegetarian foods, like dal, sabzi, roti, rice, and raita. | Most restaurants and dhabas |
Kachori | A crunchy fried pastry with a spicy potato inside. | Local street vendors and sweet shops |
Jalebi | A sweet, fried batter twisted into fancy spiral shapes. | Local sweet shops |
Gulab Jamun | A fried dough ball soaked in sweet syrup. | Local sweet shops |
Malai Kofta | Fried paneer (cottage cheese) and veggie balls served in a creamy tomato sauce. | Most restaurants |
Bedai Puri | A mix of crispy fried bread (puri) and soft fried dough (bedai). | Local street vendors |
Paan | A betel leaf filled with things like areca nut, lime, and cardamom. | Local Paan shops |
Barfi | A thick, fudge-like sweet made with milk, sugar, and nuts. | Local sweet shops |
Ladoo | A round sweet made with ingredients like gram flour, coconut, or poppy seeds. | Local sweet shops |
Ayurvedic Cuisine | Foods are made with natural ingredients and Ayurvedic ideas. | Ayurvedic restaurants and health food stores |
Puri | A fried bread made from whole wheat flour. | Local restaurants and dhabas |
Kachori | A crunchy fried pastry with a spicy potato inside. | Local street vendors and sweet shops |
Sabzi | A vegetable dish is usually served with roti or rice. | Local restaurants and dhabas |
Halwa | A sweet dish made with ingredients like carrots, rava, or besan. | Local sweet shops |
Chaat | A tasty snack with different ingredients like potatoes, chickpeas, and tamarind sauce. | Local street vendors |
Samosa | A fried dough pocket stuffed with spicy potatoes and peas. | Local street vendors |
Prasad | Sweet or savory treats are given out at temples. | Temples and local shops |
Dharamshala in Ayodhya
Dharamshala | Location | Facilities | Average Price | Specialty |
Ram Bhavan Dharamshala | Near Ram Janmabhoomi Temple | Clean rooms and basic amenities | â‚ą500-â‚ą800 per night | Peaceful ambiance and proximity to key attractions |
Hanuman Garhi Dharamshala | Near Hanuman Garhi Temple | Spacious rooms, vegetarian meals, and ample parking space. | â‚ą300-â‚ą600 per night | Ideal for pilgrims seeking a simple, spiritual stay. |
Karsevakpuram Dharamshala | Close to Ram Janmabhoomi | Dormitory-style rooms, shared bathrooms, and basic amenities | â‚ą250-â‚ą400 per night | Cheapest Dharamshala in Ayodhya, Popular among large groups |
Nirmohi Akhara Dharamshala | Near Saryu River | Simple rooms, vegetarian meals, and a spiritual atmosphere | â‚ą400-â‚ą700 per night | Known for its historical and religious significance. |