Took a week long break during Pooja holidays (12-16 October, 2026) to visit Ayodhya with my family consisting of me, my wife, my daughter, my father and mother. I initially thought of taking flight, but then my wife and father found it very expensive. In a true spirit of democracy, the majority wins. My i was completely off from 10th October to 20th October, the trip was limited to 13th to 18th October only. Primarily because my father had “Mahalya paksha tharpanam” till 11th October. Given we had Saraswathi Poojai and Dussehra on 19 and 20th, we need to get back by 18th Afternoon.
The nuances and what places I visited in Ayodhya, i will preserve for another post. This post, I will restrict it only to my experience.
What makes Ayodhya Unique
This is my first trip to Ayodhya. While i have been to various shrines in South India (Tirupari, Mantralayam, Badrachalam etc),Shridi and Vaishnodevi (in 2007), this is my first proper shrine in North India.
Generally all the shrines have a long history, established 1000s of years ago, associated with various spiritual guru’s, so on and so forth. The new Ayodhya mandir does not posses any of those, but still is a must to visit place for all Hindus. For anyone curious, the history of Ramjanmabhoomi movement will explain the reasons. History of a million years begins with a single year. Irrespective of all the challanges, the divine aura of Ayodhya is still brimmin.
The core zone
The 1-2 kilometer radius of Rammandir is the core area of divinity. With various mutts, Ashrams doting the streets the walk itself calms you down. It is not just the temples, you would always see someone doing Bhajan with atmost devotion in these temples. You wake up in the morning with a Bhajan filling you ear.
Talking about core zone, how can i miss the Hanuman Garhi temple. A magnificent temple with a stream of devotees visiting it continuously. Everyone chanting Jai Hanuman or wishing with Sitaram, the environment is conditioned to think one and only about Lord Ram.
I stayed in a Mutt called Ramanuja Padachhaya. It is near by Kanak Bhavan. With a beauitful garden and an attached Veda padasala, the calmness and vibes are unmatchable.
Both Kanak Bhavan and Dasarath Mahal are near by it. Both the places have great history and the continuous chants and Bhajan of Lord Ram transforms you.
The area near by Ram Path are also equally divine. While it is a bit far from main temple (i.e greater than 1KM), the lanes near by them also have equal amount of Mutts and Ashram. Even individual houses have also an elaborate big Mandir.
Other attractions in Ayodhya that we should not miss is Valmiki Bhawan. A big hall with a temple (as always the norm in Ayodhya), it gives you a perfect place to meditate. Near by Chardham temple and Hanuman mandir are also must see and give a comfort in their peace and tranquility.
Near by Attractions
People visiting Ayodhya will also and must also visit below places
- Nandigram
- Guptar Ghat
Guptar Ghat
The place where Lord Ram, Lakshman with obtained Mukthi. With a big temple and a few small temples surronding it, you never fall short of places to look inwards. The ghat also has lot of small minars to watch the river flow. The timeless divinity spanning across various Yuga’s reminds you of the smallness of our life and the eternity of lord.
NandiGram – Bharat Mandir
Bharathan has been one of the under appreciated mentioned person in Ramayana. However, near Ayodhya we have a seperate mandir where his Paathuga is still worshipped. An equally pious shrine it is a must visit place when you visit Ayodhya. The every chanting Sitaram bhajan cools you.
What I felt off in Ayodhay
- Ayodhya, for most part is cash driven. While a few establishments accepts UPI, others and autos are mostly cash
- Facilities in VIP entrance of mandir are subpar. However, the main entrance for regular devotees has a lot of facilities and is well maintained. If your auto driver offers to drop you at VIP entrance wll ahead of your darshan or aarti timings, please decline.
