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"The birthplace of Lord Rama"

Ayodhya Tourism

Ayodhya, located on the banks of river Sarayu in Uttar Pradesh, is one of the seven sacred cities for Hindus. Ayodhya plays a critical role in the Hindu epic of Ramayana as it is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama. This religious town is also the birthplace of four of Jainism's 24 Tirthankaras (religious teachers), beckoning tourists with its serene ghats.

With monkeys galore, the buzz of the visiting tourists, and a general spiritual aura, Ayodhya has been surrounded by controversy since about a decade now. It is the site of the 1992 Indian riots related to the Babri Masjid fiasco. The mosque, which was allegedly built on Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, became the bone of contention between Hindus and Muslims. In 2005, Ayodhya witnessed a terrorist attack at the site of Ramlalla Temple.

Despite the controversy, Ayodhya has so much colour and spirituality to see for its tourists and has emerged as a significant spiritual centre. The land of multi-faith temples, the traffic-free streets of Ayodhya are intriguing enough in itself to warrant a visit.

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History of Ayodhya

Ayodhya is best known for being the city of Hindu mythological epic Ramayana. As per legends, Saint Manu, the initiator of mankind founded the city and gave it to the Ikshvaku clan to rule. Being the capital city of Kosala, Ayodhya was then ruled by King Dasaratha, a descendant of Ikshvaku. It is, however, interesting to note that historians have interpreted Ayodhya's existence, as per Ramayana, as an urban centre consisting of buildings and palaces. But, the excavations at present-day Ayodhya indicate that it had a primitive life. This has led to the conclusion that the city of Ayodhya in Ramayana was a fictional one.

A local tradition states that Ayodhya became desolate after Lord Rama's ascent to heaven and was later revived by King Vikramaditya of Ujjain, in 50 BCE. The great Kalidasa, however, mentions in Raghuvamsa that Lord Rama’s son Kusa was the one who led Ayodhya’s revival.

Several legends like Brahmanda Purana and Garuda Purana mention Ayodhya as one of the "most sacred and foremost cities" and "one of the holiest places for Hindus in India", respectively. The Jain tradition states that 5 Tirthankaras- Rishabhanatha (first), Ajitanatha (second), Abhinandananatha (fourth), Sumatinatha (fifth) and Anantanatha (fourteenth) were born in Ayodhya.

Dispute of Ramjanmabhoomi Temple

The biggest centre of attraction of Ayodhya is the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. Believed to be the birthplace of 7th incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Lord Ram, this area came under a religious dispute between the Hindus and the Muslims.

It is believed that there was a temple here which was demolished by Mughal Emperor Babur in 1528 AD, who built a mosque here. The mosque is said to have been taken down by the Hindus in 1922, killing 2000 civilians. However, some claims also suggest the Masjid's location here before its official record as a Hindu religious site.

With multiple sessions of official back and forth surrounding this dispute in court, this region was once a place of both Hindu and Muslim worship until 1949. The prolonged disagreement between the two parties resulted in the 2019 judicial verdict that ensured 1/6th and 1/3rd of the disputed land were given to the Hindus and the Muslims respectively.

As of the 5th of February, 2020, the Indian Government established the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, an official temple trust on the Ram Janmabhoomi after marking 5 acres at a different site under the management of the Sunni Waqf Board to build the mosque. 

Restaurants and Local Food in Ayodhya

Options for food in Ayodhya can be quite limited since only vegetarian is available, the town being a major religious centre. There aren't many fancy dining places in Ayodhya as well.

The handful of local restaurants and Dhabas here offer Punjabi, North-Indian and Chinese cuisines. The state is known for the colour and flavours of its Chaat, which includes Aloo Tikki, Pani Puri, Kachori, Papri Chaat, Samosa and more.
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Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh


Ram Paidi ghat on the Sarayu river, Ayodhya.
Tulsi Smarak Bhawan Museum
Moti Mahal

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FAQs on Ayodhya

What is the local food in Ayodhya?

Options for food in Ayodhya can be quite limited since only vegetarian is available, the town being a major religious centre. There aren't many fancy dining places in Ayodhya as well.

The handful of local restaurants and Dhabas here offer Punjabi, North-Indian and Chinese cuisines. The state is known for the colour and flavours of its Chaat, which includes Aloo Tikki, Pani Puri, Kachori, Papri Chaat, Samosa and more.
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What are the places near Ayodhya?

The top places near to Ayodhya are Shravasti which is 80 km from Ayodhya, Lucknow which is located 124 km from Ayodhya, Varanasi which is located 181 km from Ayodhya, Allahabad which is located 155 km from Ayodhya, Agra which is located 417 km from Ayodhya

What are the things to do in Ayodhya?

The top things to do in Ayodhya are Ram Janmabhoomi, Kanak Bhawan, Nageshwarnath Temple, Hanuman Garhi, Ayodhya, Gulab Bari, Treta Ke Thakur. You can see all the places to visit in Ayodhya here

What is the best way to reach Ayodhya?

There are not many direct routes connecting Ayodhya to most places but once you are in the state of Uttar Pradesh, connectivity becomes much easier. There is no airport in Ayodhya but there is a railway station. Regular buses are also available from other cities to Ayodhya.
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What is the best time to visit Ayodhya?

Weather is mostly pleasant in Ayodhya, all throughout the year. There are occasional heat waves and cold breeze during the peak of summer and winter seasons. The best time to visit although is between October to December, both for its weather and the festivities.
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Who should visit Ayodhya?

Ayodhya is meant for elderly people. This place is for people who are intending to go on a religious trip and not a vacation

What is not so good about Ayodhya?

The place is meant for a religious tour and not a relaxing vacation. It can be hot and dry a major part of the year.

What is famous about Ayodhya?

Ayodhya is famous as a holy tourist spot as it has many pilgrim sites and temples. The place is known for its purity and simplicity.

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Ayodhya Reviews

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Kovid Kapoor

5 years ago
- The temperatures can be extreme in both winters and summers, so please carry appropriate clothes. Try to avoid visits in controversial periods.
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