Ayodhya, revered as one of ancient India's seven holiest towns or ‘Saptpuris’ is located on the bank of the ancient River Saryu. Ayodhya, the former capital of the Avadh area holds a special place in the hearts of devotees because it is the birthplace of Maryada Purushottam Lord Shri Ram. It is believed that the Gods themselves created this holy place. According to scriptures, numerous great kings ruled the capital city of Kosaldesh, including Ikshvaku, Prithu, Mandhata, Harishchandra, Sagar, Bhagirath, Raghu, Dileep, Dashrath, and Lord Shri Ram. During their reign, the kingdom's magnificence peaked and exemplified Ram Rajya. The famous epics, Ramayan and ShriRamcharitmanas exhibit the splendour of Ayodhya.

An episode of Ramayan, a page of ancient history and a cluster of tourist attractions, this town has been a major centre for pilgrims, historians, archaeologists and students alike.

Festivals : Shravan Jhoola Mela (July-Aug), Parikrama Mela (Oct-Nov), Ram Navami (March-April), Rathyatra (June-July), Saryu Snan (Oct-Nov), Ram Vivah (Nov), RamayanMela (Dec-Jan)

Summer in Ayodhya between April and June is quite warm; sometimes the mercury rises up to 47°C. Winter from November to February experiences a plunge to 10°C. The best time to plan a visit here would be between October to March.

Food and other facilities  : Sweets / Laddoo / Kachori

Shopping : Upon entering Ayodhya, you will be greeted by a street with shops on both sides. It is the perfect place for people to stock up on supplies for their temples – right from idols, to jewellery and clothing for the idols to Haldi, Kumkum and Chandan. Not just this, you can get beautiful bangles, copper vessels and holographic posters of various gods. Ayodhya is also famous for marble statues of Gods and Goddesses.

• Ayodhya
• Lord Ram Temple
• Ramkot
• Kanak Bhawan
• Hanuman Garhi
• Mani Parvat
• Shri Nageshwarnath Temple
• Tulsi Smarak Bhawan
• Saryu River
• Gurudwaras
• Treta-Ke-Thakur
• Chhoti Devkali Temple
• Ram Ki Paidi
• Suraj Kund
• Ram Katha Museum
• Queen - Heo Memorial Park
• Ghats and Kunds
• Bharat Kund - Nandigram

Deepotsav Ayodhya :The return of Lord Rama from 14 years of exile and vanquishing the demon-king Ravana marks the triumph of good over evil. In joyous celebration of Lord Rama’s homecoming, the people of Ayodhya illuminated the kingdom and welcomed him in grandeur. Since then, every year the Festival of Lights, known as Diwali, is celebrated. In Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, the Department of Tourism organizes Deepotsav (Diwali celebrations) a day before Diwali, known as Choti Diwali. On the occasion of Deepotsav, cultural heritage walk is showcased, lakhs of diyas or earthen lamps are lit, a staged Ramleela is performed and the Grand Aarti is organised with other cultural events. Thousands of devotees from across the world pay their obeisance and enjoy the cultural programs.

Ram Navami Mela (April) : Celebrated in April, thousands of devotees visit the Ram Navami Mela to celebrate the birth of Lord Ram on the ninth day of the Navratri festival. This festival falls under the Hindu month of Chaitra and is considered one among the five most sacred festivals according to the Hindu religion. One of the special features of this fair is the Ram-leela act (depicting the life and times of Lord Ram) organised widely in the city. Temples all over the city are widely decorated for the mela.

Shravan Jhula Mela (August) : Jhula is usually observed in the Hindu month of Sravan. This fair enacts the playful spirit of the heavenly deities. The fair is observed on the third day of the Shuklapaksh of Shravan month. Devotees place idols of the deities (especially of Rama, Lakshman and Sita) in swings or Jhula in the temples. Idols of deities are also taken to Mani Parvat in the procession of devotees. After reaching to Mani Parvat, the idols are made to swing from the branches of trees. Later, the deities are brought back to temples. The mela lasts till the end of the month of Shravan.

Ram Lila : Ramlila is a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Lord Ram, ending up in a ten-day battle between Lord Ram and Ravan, as described in the Hindu religious epic, the Ramayana. A tradition that originates from the Indian subcontinent, the play is staged annually often over ten or more successive nights, during the auspicious period of 'Sharad Navratras'. It marks the commencement of the Autumn festive period, starting with the Dussehra festival. Usually the performances are timed to culminate on the festival of Vijayadashami day that commemorates the victory of Lord Ram over demon king Ravana. The actors are taken out in a procession through the city, leading up to a mela ground or town square, where the enactment of the final battle takes place. Giant effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhakaran and son Meghanath are set on fire, and coronation or Abhisheka of Lord Rama at Ayodhya takes place, marking the culmination of festivities and restoration of the divine order.

Ram Lila, the enactment of the story of Lord Rama is believed to have been started by great Saint Tulsidas. The Ramcharitmanas, written by him forms the basis of Ram Lila performances. In some places, Ram Lila is associated with Vijayadashmi celebrations in late September and early October and also with Rama Navami, the birthday of Lord Rama.

Ram Lila, till today, is presented as a cycle-play with the story varying from 7 to 31 days. The Ram Lila performance evokes a festive atmosphere and enables observance of religious rites. It is also rich in performance of crafts such as costume jewellery, masks, headgear, make-up and decoration.

The four main Ram Lila styles are: the pantomimic style with a predominance of jhankis or tableaux pageants; the dialogue-based style with multi-local staging; the operative style which draws its musical elements from the folk operas of the region and the stage performance staged by professional troupes called `mandalis’.

Ayodhya is popular for mandali Ram Lila. The performance is dialogue-based and presented on a platform stage. High standard of performance is complemented by songs and kathak dances and eye-catching décor.

Parikramas : Religious circumambulations are a necessary part of Hindu worship; the devotees of Lord Ram who visit here undertake the parikramas which are as follows:

Antargrahi Parikrama : It is the shortest of the three Parikramas and can be completed in one day. A devotee is supposed to take a holy dip in Saryu and walk through Ram Ghat, Sita Kund, Mani Parvat, Brahma Kund and finally reach Kanak Bhawan.

Panchkoshi Parikrama : A 16 km long circuit, it begins from Chakrathirtha and moves to Nayaghat, Ramghat, Saryubagh, Holkar-ka-pura, Dashrathkund, Jogiana, Ranopali, Jalpa Nala and Mahtabagh.

Chaturdashkoshi Parikrama : A journey of 45 km, the parikrama is done during the auspicious Akshaynavami and has to be completed in one day.