Ayodhya Ram Mandir is a symbol of faith, devotion, and history for millions of Hindus across the world. Built on the sacred land signifying the birthplace of Lord Rama, it is also known as the Ram Janambhomi Temple. As Hindu’s believe, it is the same place where Lord Rama was born. Hindus find it their fate to touch the soil of Ayodhya once in a lifetime. Experiencing Ayodhya does not only include a city in your travel list, but it gives you the experiences you never expected, meeting new people, connecting with their folks, and enjoying local slang, watching each terrace of the city flutter with the Bhagwa flag. In this blog, we guide you through the beauty, history and spiritual significance of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, which is best among places to visit in Ayodhya. We also include all the details in this blog, so you can plan your Ayodhya trip accordingly.
History Of Ayodhya Ram Mandir
The story of the Ayodhysa Ram Mandir is centuries old. As per Hindu belief, Ayodhya is the birthplace of Lord Rama. Hindu belief says there was a grand temple at the Ram Janambhoomi in ancient times, where Hindu devotees worshipped for generations.
However, in the Mughal era in 1528 CE, the temple was demolished by Babur’s Mir Baqi, and Babri Masjid was built at the same place.
For centuries after, Hindus continued to worship at the spot, believing it to be sacred. Over time, there were repeated attempts at the reconstruction of the temple.
In 1885, the matter went to court for the first time, and a legal case was registered. In 1949, idols of Ram Lalla appeared inside the mosque, further intensifying the dispute. Then, the site was locked by the government, but remained a place for devotees.
The conflicts took a spark in 1992, when the Babri Masjid was demolished, and it became a national debate. After decades of hearing, the Supreme Court of India in 2019 delivered a final verdict, the disputed land was to be given for the construction of the Ram Mandir, while an alternate land was provided for a mosque.
Today, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir stands as the fulfilment of a centuries-old struggle, symbolising faith, patience, and unity.
Pran Pratishtha–Inauguration of Ayodhya Ram Mandir
The Pran Pratishtha Ceremony of Ram Lalla in the grand Ayodhya Ram Mandir was one of the most historic and emotional moments in modern India. The word “Pran Prastishta” means ‘establishing life force’.
In Ayodhya, the Pran Pratishtha of Shri Ram Lalla took place on 22nd January 2024 inside the sanctum sanctorum of the newly built Ram Mandir. Whole events are conducted under the guidance of renowned Vedic scholars and priests, with mantras from the four Vedas being recited. The whole ceremony was organised by Shri Ram Janambhoomi Teerth Kshetra.
Our Prime Minister, the main character in Pran Pratishtha, took up the 11-day fast, surviving on coconut water and fruits for the 11 days. And requested the whole nation to light diyas and celebrate like Diwali.
Architectural Brilliance of Ram Janmabhoomi Temple
The Ayodhya Ram Mandir is a masterpiece of Indian temple architecture. Designed in the Nagara Style, which is the traditional style of temple architecture in North India, the temple signifies as a symbol of grandeur, heritage, and spirituality.
The Nagara style is known for its tall, curving spires called Shikharas, constructed to appear like mountains arising towards the sky. The whole structure is built using pink sandstone, which gives it a timeless glow and durability meant to last for centuries.
In its entirety, the Ram Mandir is a current example of the Nagara style’s beauty and brilliance. It combines devotion with art, spirituality with engaging, and traditional with modern execution. making it not just a holy place but a treasure of India’s cultural heritage.
Ram Mandir Ayodhya Timings
The Ayodhya Ram Mandir location, in the heart of Ayodhya, attracts devotees from all over the nation. If you’re planning to visit Ram Mandir, it is important for devotees to know the Darsan and Aarti Timing so you can plan your trip accordingly.
Ram Janamabhoomi Darshan Timings:
From 7 AM to 11:30 AM in the mornings.
11:30 to 2 PM break for rituals and preparations.
2 PM to 7 PM in the evenings.
Aarti Timings:
Mangala Aarti: starts of the day with a sacred chant at 4:30 AM (early morning)
Srinagar Aarti: starts around 7:00 AM. (morning decoration)
Bhog Aarti: start at 12:00 PM. (afternoon ritual)
Sandhya Aarti: start at 6:30 PM TO 7:00 PM. Most special among the devotees to experience.
Shayan Aarti: at 10:00 PM (night idol is put to rest)
NOTE: Aarti paas (free) is required to attend any Aarti except Bhog Aarti.
Places To Visit Near Ayodhya Temple
A visit to Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir is a deeply spiritual experience, but Ayodhya has much more to offer. The city is filled with temples, ghats, and sacred landmarks.
Hanuman Garhi: This is one of the most popular temples in Ayodhya. Located 1km from Ram Janmabhoomi. This mandir is dedicated to lord Hanuman Ji, and people believe lord human ji guards Ayodhya himself.
Kanak Bhavan: It is said to have been gifted to Mata Sita by Queen Kaikeyi after her marriage, making it a very special place for devotees. Kanak Bhavan is a beautiful place dedicated to lord Rama and Goddess Sita.
Saryu River Ghats: A short walk from the temple takes you to the Saryu River, where pilgrims take a holy dip. In the evening, you should miss the vibe of Saryu Aarti, an experience that can’t be expressed in words; it's full of energy and devotion.
Nageshwarnath Temple: It is believed that it was built by Kush, the son of Lord Rama. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, is another spiritual spot in Ayodhya.
Treta Ke Thakur: This temple idolises Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Bharat, and Shatrughna, believed to be from the time of King Vikramaditya. It is located close to the ghats.
Ram ki Paidi: A series of ghats on the banks of the Saryu, beautifully lite up in the evenings. It's a peaceful place for reflection and a favourite spot for photography.
How To Reach Ayodhya
By Train:
Ayodhya Dham Junction is the nearest railway station. It is mainly 2-3 km from the RAM MANDIR AYODHYA.
Another nearest station is AYODHYA CANTT (known as Faizabad Junction), it is about 10 km away from AYODHYA RAM MANDIR.
There is a regular train available from Lucknow, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Delhi, Gorakhpur, Patna, and other main cities.
By Air:
Ayodhya ram mandir distance is 10 Km fromMaharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhya (AYJ).
The Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport, Lucknow (LKO), is about 135-140 km from the city of Ayodhya.
Another domestic airport is Mahayogi Gorakhnath Airport, which is also about 130-135km from Ayodhya City. best for the eastern region of the country to reach Ayodhya.
There are many direct flights to Ayodhya from major cities like Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, and Kolkata.
By Road:
Ayodhya is now connected by the national and state highways.
130 km from Lucknow city, it barely takes 3- 4 hours of driving to reach Ayodhya.
200km from Varanasi, it will take 4-5 hours to reach Ayodhya by vehicle or taxi, and less than this if you take a direct train.
140 km from Gorakhpur, hardly a drive of 3-4 hours.
Conclusion
The Ayodhya Ram Mandir is more than a temple; it is the heart of faith, history, and culture. And built at the sacred Ram Janmabhoomi temple Ayodhya. This masterpiece structure signifies centuries of devotion and the finest art of the Nagara Style.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir reminds us of the sacred land where Maryada Purushottam Ram was born. He grew up here with love and values, learned from the sages, and later served the city as a noble king in history. The Lord Ram’s life is an eternal example of duty, sacrifice, and righteousness. The Ayodhya soil carries the memories of his exile, his triumph over evil, and his return to establish Ram Rajya.
The Ayodhya Ram Mandir is more than a destination; it is an experience of faith, heritage, and eternal devotion that every devotee should witness at least once in their lifetime.