Ayodhya Diwali Celebrations : Stay, Places to Visit, Food and More

ayodhya-diwali-celebrations

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.

Checkout – Diwali 2024 Tour Package:

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 AIRDEPARTURE AIRPORTTRAVEL DURATIONAVERAGE COST
Delhi to LucknowIndira Gandhi International Airport1 hour 10 minutesâ‚ą3,000-â‚ą4,500 per person.
Mumbai to LucknowChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport2 hours 15 minutesâ‚ą4,500-â‚ą6,000
Kolkata to LucknowNetaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport1 hour 45 minutesâ‚ą3,500-â‚ą5,000
Chennai to LucknowChennai’s International Airport2 hours 45 minutes₹5,000-₹7,000

Read About – Best Places to Visit in Rajasthan during Diwali

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 NameTrain NumberDeparture Time & StationArrival Time & StationAverage Per/Person Tickets Price
VANDE BHARAT EXP2242606:10 Anand Vihar Terminal Ayodhya Cantt at 14:30  â‚ą1630
AYODHYA EXPRESS14206New Delhi Railway Station at 18:20Ayodhya Cantt at 07:15 am the next dayâ‚ą320 (Sleeper), â‚ą950 (3AC), â‚ą1355 (2AC), â‚ą2255 (1Ac)
AMRIT BHARAT EXP1555815:10 ANVT  01:10 AYâ‚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.

Also Read – 5 Best Places to Visit for Diwali Celebrations in India 

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?

DayEventSignificance
DhanterasBuying gold and new thingsRepresents wealth and success
Naraka ChaturdashiCleaning and prayingProtecting against bad things and negative feelings
Diwali and DeepotsavLighting lamps, cultural shows, fireworksThe big Diwali party in Ayodhya
Govardhan PujaHonoring cows and doing special ritualsShowing respect to Lord Krishna
Bhai DoojCelebrating the special relationship between brothers and sistersSignaling the end of the Diwali celebrations

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Food to Try During Diwali in Ayodhya

DishDescriptionLocations
ThaliA plate of different vegetarian foods, like dal, sabzi, roti, rice, and raita.Most restaurants and dhabas
KachoriA crunchy fried pastry with a spicy potato inside.Local street vendors and sweet shops
JalebiA sweet, fried batter twisted into fancy spiral shapes.Local sweet shops
Gulab JamunA fried dough ball soaked in sweet syrup.Local sweet shops
Malai KoftaFried paneer (cottage cheese) and veggie balls served in a creamy tomato sauce.Most restaurants
Bedai PuriA mix of crispy fried bread (puri) and soft fried dough (bedai).Local street vendors
PaanA betel leaf filled with things like areca nut, lime, and cardamom.Local Paan shops
BarfiA thick, fudge-like sweet made with milk, sugar, and nuts.Local sweet shops
LadooA round sweet made with ingredients like gram flour, coconut, or poppy seeds.Local sweet shops
Ayurvedic CuisineFoods are made with natural ingredients and Ayurvedic ideas.Ayurvedic restaurants and health food stores
PuriA fried bread made from whole wheat flour.Local restaurants and dhabas
KachoriA crunchy fried pastry with a spicy potato inside.Local street vendors and sweet shops
SabziA vegetable dish is usually served with roti or rice.Local restaurants and dhabas
HalwaA sweet dish made with ingredients like carrots, rava, or besan.Local sweet shops
ChaatA tasty snack with different ingredients like potatoes, chickpeas, and tamarind sauce.Local street vendors
SamosaA fried dough pocket stuffed with spicy potatoes and peas.Local street vendors
PrasadSweet or savory treats are given out at temples.Temples and local shops

Dharamshala in Ayodhya

DharamshalaLocationFacilitiesAverage PriceSpecialty
Ram Bhavan DharamshalaNear Ram Janmabhoomi TempleClean rooms and basic amenitiesâ‚ą500-â‚ą800 per nightPeaceful ambiance and proximity to key attractions
Hanuman Garhi DharamshalaNear Hanuman Garhi TempleSpacious rooms, vegetarian meals, and ample parking space.â‚ą300-â‚ą600 per nightIdeal for pilgrims seeking a simple, spiritual stay.
Karsevakpuram DharamshalaClose to Ram JanmabhoomiDormitory-style rooms, shared bathrooms, and basic amenitiesâ‚ą250-â‚ą400 per nightCheapest Dharamshala in Ayodhya, Popular among large groups
Nirmohi Akhara DharamshalaNear Saryu RiverSimple rooms, vegetarian meals, and a spiritual atmosphereâ‚ą400-â‚ą700 per nightKnown for its historical and religious significance.

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