Ayodhya, one of India’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, sits on the quiet banks of the Saryu River and hums with epic stories from the Ramayana. In recent years, the city has welcomed pilgrims and travelers with restored ghats, improved roads, and the newly opened Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple—now the centerpiece of most visits.

Beyond the big sights, Ayodhya rewards gentle wandering. Temple bells mingle with the clink of kulhads at chai stalls; saffron-clad sadhus share space with families on evening walks at Ram ki Paidi. Heritage shrines like Hanuman Garhi and Kanak Bhawan offer intimate windows into living devotion.

Practical notes: expect security checks near the Ram Mandir—carry a small daypack, modest attire, and prepare to remove footwear at temples. Most restaurants are vegetarian; simple thalis, kachori-sabzi, and lassi are the go-tos. Moving around is easiest by rickshaw or on foot in the old town core.

Ayodhya

Ayodhya’s sacred circuit revolves around Ram Janmabhoomi, Hanuman Garhi’s hilltop shrine, and the riverfront ghats where the Saryu Aarti glows at dusk. The lanes are compact; you can cover many highlights in a day, with time to revisit your favorites.

• Top sights: Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple (Ram Mandir), Hanuman Garhi, Kanak Bhawan, Dashrath Mahal, Nageshwarnath Temple, Tulsi Smarak Bhawan Museum, Ram ki Paidi and Naya Ghat, Guptar Ghat.
• Moments to savor: Sunrise on the Saryu, a slow chai on Ram Path, and the evening aarti at the ghats.
• Good to know: Peak darshan hours can mean long queues—early morning or late afternoon is usually smoother.

Where to stay (center/old-town access and reliable dining):

• Browse options on VRBO Ayodhya and Hotels.com Ayodhya.
• Hotel Krishna Palace (reliable rooms, in-house vegetarian restaurant): Hotel Krishna Palace
• Hotel Ram Inn (value pick with clean, modern rooms near key sights): Hotel Ram Inn
• Hotel Shree Palace (comfortable stay; rooftop dining vibes): Hotel Shree Palace

Getting there (choose what suits your schedule and budget):

• Fly to Ayodhya (AYJ). From Delhi ~1h15m; from Mumbai ~2h10m; from Bengaluru ~2h40m. Compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Typical one-ways from Delhi range ~$35–$95 depending on season.
• Train to Ayodhya Dham Jn (AY). Lucknow to Ayodhya ~2.5–3.5h; Varanasi ~4–5h; Gorakhpur ~3–4h. Check schedules/prices on Trip.com trains. Non-AC seats often ~$2–$6; AC chair/sleeper ~$5–$15.
• Airport transfer: AYJ to old town/ghats is ~8–12 km (25–45 min) by prepaid cab or auto-rickshaw.

Featured local tours and experiences (handy if you want context and priority darshan):

Ayodhya Private Tour & VIP Darshan -Special support for Seniors

Ayodhya Full Day Guided Tour

Ayodhya Day Excursion

Day 1: Arrival, Hanuman Garhi, Kanak Bhawan, and Saryu Aarti

Morning: Travel to Ayodhya. If flying, plan a late-morning or midday arrival at AYJ; compare options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you’re coming by rail, Ayodhya Dham Jn is a short ride to the old city; check Trip.com trains for timings.

Afternoon: Check in to your hotel—convenient, traveler-favorite picks include Hotel Krishna Palace, Hotel Ram Inn, or Hotel Shree Palace. For a smooth first look at the city, book the Ayodhya Private Tour & VIP Darshan—it’s especially helpful on busy days and for seniors.

Climb to Hanuman Garhi (a lively, hilltop complex) for panoramic views and then stroll to Kanak Bhawan, known for its bright sanctum and devotional music. Snack stop: pick up hot kachori-sabzi and jalebi from a halwai near Hanuman Garhi’s base, with a clay-cup chai (kulhad) to match.

Evening: Walk down to Ram ki Paidi/Naya Ghat for the Saryu Aarti just after sunset—lamps reflected in the river make for a serene close to your first day. For dinner, keep it simple and local: the vegetarian restaurant at Hotel Krishna Palace serves North Indian thalis and paneer mains; Hotel Shree Palace’s rooftop offers tandoor kebabs (veg) and dal with river-breeze views. Night stroll along the illuminated Ram Path before turning in.

Day 2: Sunrise on the Saryu, Ram Mandir Darshan, Museums, and Departure

Morning: Catch sunrise by the Saryu at Naya Ghat or the quieter Guptar Ghat. Hire a short boat ride to watch the city wake up—oars dipping, bells chiming. Breakfast on the go: grab poha, samosa, or bread pakora from a riverside vendor and a second kulhad chai.

Target a morning window for Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple (Ram Mandir) darshan. Lines move fastest early; carry minimal belongings and expect security checks. Afterward, visit Dashrath Mahal (colorful courtyards) and Nageshwarnath Temple (linked to Kush, son of Rama), then stop by Tulsi Smarak Bhawan for its small museum on poet-saint Tulsidas and Ramcharitmanas recitations.

Afternoon: If you’d like deeper context (and help navigating crowds), opt for the Ayodhya Full Day Guided Tour or the slightly shorter Day Excursion, focusing on whichever sites you missed yesterday. Otherwise, enjoy a leisurely vegetarian lunch: the in-house restaurants at Hotel Ram Inn or Hotel Krishna Palace are reliable for fresh rotis, seasonal sabzi, and cooling lassi.

Depart in the afternoon: autos and cabs will get you to AYJ (25–45 minutes) or Ayodhya Dham Jn for onward trains. Check flight options on Trip.com / Kiwi.com and rail timings on Trip.com trains.

Food and drink short list (all-veg friendly):

• Breakfast/tea: Halwai counters near Hanuman Garhi for kachori-sabzi and jalebi; kulhad chai along Ram Path/Naya Ghat; poha and samosa at small riverside stalls.
• Lunch: Simple thalis and paneer curries at Hotel Krishna Palace’s restaurant; seasonal veg, dal tadka, and rotis at Hotel Ram Inn’s dining room.
• Dinner: Rooftop tandoor (veg) and North Indian mains at Hotel Shree Palace; hearty dal makhani, jeera rice, and raita at Krishna Palace.
• Sweets: Try peda, rabri, or malai lassi from mithai shops around the ghats.

Temple etiquette and tips:

• Dress modestly; carry a small bag only. Footwear storage is available near major temples; socks help on hot days.
• Photography rules vary—look for signage, especially in sanctums. Keep cash for small offerings and street snacks.
• For Ram Mandir, aim for early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heaviest queues.

In two days, you’ll trace Ayodhya’s sacred spine—river to shrine—while leaving space for quiet moments. Come for the Ram Mandir and Hanuman Garhi; remember the glow of lamps on the Saryu and the taste of a warm kulhad chai as the day softens.