Near the banks of river Sarayu, the beautiful city of Ayodhya is geographically located on the South-Central side of Uttar Pradesh. Known often as the Birthplace of Bhagwan Shri Rama, Ayodhya is one of the seven holy places for the Hindu pilgrimage (sapta puri). The city is well connected with temples and religious destinations for families to visit and have a mesmerising experience. Surrounded by major cities, Ayodhya also has a rich cultural heritage, evident by the statues and the cityscape that have been created hundreds of years ago by civilizations. Ksatriyas, Mughals, Englishmen, have all imparted a touch of their culture throughout the landscape of Ayodhya.

The praise described here is nothing compared to what the city holds in its streets and palaces. If you want to enjoy a relaxing and comfortable stay at Ayodhya, book hotels online from the convenience of your PC or smartphone. Now carry on with your reading task to get a comprehensive view of the top 6 Ayodhya attractions that you can visit with family in 2021. 

Ramkot

Looking over from the top of a hill, Ramkot is the central place for worshipping Bhagwan Shri Rama in Ayodhya. Believed to be the place of Lord Rama’s fort, the temple remains open to all, every day, from 7 AM to 11 AM and 2 PM to 6 PM. While pilgrims pay visits throughout the year, the month of Chaitra (March-April) ensures lavish celebrations, as Ram Navami lightens up the area with beautiful diyas, colourful rangoli, and various cultural activities, to celebrate the Birth of the Bhagwan.

Kapilavastu

Rumours say that Kapilavasatu was once ruled by The Great Buddha’s father, Shuddhodan. Here, it is believed that Prince Gautam, at 29 years of age left the palace and returned after 12 years. Enlightened and now revered as The Great Buddha, this place serves as an important pilgrimage destination for the Buddhists. Once a year, from 29th to 31st of December, The grand Kapilavastu Buddha Mahotsav is organized, for devotees to celebrate the ideology and teachings of The Great Buddha. In the ’70s Archaeologists discovered a stupa site, alongside various artefacts which remains the most admired sight for tourists. 

Hanuman Garhi

Built around the 10th century, Anjani, the idolized temple is the home of a beautiful statue of Lord Hanuman, sitting in the lap of his mother. One has to climb 76 steps of the temple to pay their respects and admire the impeccable stone carvings and artwork engraved here. Known to be the place where Lord Hanuman resided to protect Rajkot, it is customary to visit Hanuman Garhi first before planning a visit to the Ayodhya Ram Temple.

Dashrath Mahal Ayodhya

The palace of Maharaja Dashrath where Lord Rama, his brothers, and his kin resided. There is not much to say, but to stand in awe at the architecture, the artistry and the grandeur of this palace. Now converted to a temple, it is a home to the statues of Lord Rama, Lord Laxmana, Sita Devi and other deities. Just a few metres away from Hanuman Garhi, it has long courtyards, a lush green central garden, and ample space to rest and pick up your thoughts. The palace comes to life on the occasions of Rama Vivah, Deepawali, Shravana mela, Karthika Mela and Rama Navami. Visiting times are from 8 AM-12 AM and 4 PM-10 PM, with nearby amenities for shopping, food.

Patan Devi

Holding incredible religious importance, the Patan Devi temple is located on the outskirts of Ayodhya. Stated as one of the 51 shaktipeethas in India, this is considered to be the place where the right shoulder of goddess Sati had fallen. Also, the place has links to the Great Mahabharata, as it is believed that The Great Karna had been here and made a tank, dubbed “Surya Kund”. The temple was renovated in the 11th century and houses idols of mata kali, kal bhairav. 

Tulsi Udyan

Once known as Victoria’s Garden in the ’60s, it is now a landmark dedicated to the late poet Tulsidas, the writer of Ramcharitramanas, the story of Ramayana. The garden is beautifully spread with flowers, fresh grass and statues of Tulsidas. Recently, plans have been made by the UP government to rejuvenate the garden and increase its appeal to the public as a tourist spot.

The city of Ayodhya is also known for lip-smacking dishes and spicy preparations. Some common street foods served here include chaat, kachori, dahi vada, chhole bhature. Traditional food like thalis, dal bati, litti choka are also a speciality of this place. Among sweets, you can choose between a variety of dishes ranging from gujiya, laddoos and rabri to lassi and jalebis. Other points of interest include ghats, Mughal gardens with tombs of emperors of Awadh, besides modern amenities like cinema theatres, malls, shopping streets and gardens.

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