Your Step-by-Step Guide to Visiting the Sacred Ram Mandir in Ayodhya

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Visiting the Sacred Ram Mandir in Ayodhya

The sacred city of Ayodhya, located in Uttar Pradesh, evokes strong spiritual emotions in the hearts of Hindus as the birthplace of Lord Ram. With the magnificent Ram Mandir under construction, excitement is building to visit this holy site and seek blessings. 

Planning a pilgrimage takes effort to ensure a safe and fulfilling journey. This guide shares tips on reaching Ayodhya through various routes and local transportation to make your Ram Mandir visit hassle-free.

Reaching Ayodhya by Air

The most convenient way to reach Ayodhya is flying. The city has its own airport - Maharishi Valmiki International Airport located around 7km from the Ram Mandir site. Inaugurated recently, it offers direct connections to major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad on a regular basis through flights operated by IndiGo, Spicejet and Air India among others.

You can also consider flying to nearby airports in Lucknow (135km), Allahabad (135km) or Varanasi (210km) which have more flight options. These cities are well connected to Ayodhya through road and rail. Cabs, taxis and buses are easily available from these airports to Ayodhya.

Key Train Routes to Ayodhya

Ayodhya has great rail connectivity through multiple direct train routes from metros like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Bangalore. 

Some popular trains from Delhi are Swatantrata Sainani Express (6 hours), Ayodhya Express (7 hours) and Janmabhoomi Express (8 hours). From Mumbai, options include Pushpak Express (22 hours) and Avadh Express (23 hours). Manduadih Express from Kolkata takes around 18 hours. 

Other major trains connect Ayodhya to cities like Lucknow (2 hours), Varanasi (5 hours), Agra (9 hours), Hyderabad (24 hours), Jaipur (12 hours) and Ahmedabad (20 hours). These provide easy overnight journey options to Ayodhya from far off places.

Road Trips to Ayodhya

Road journeys allow you to take pit stops and enjoy the essence of India's heartland. A Delhi to Ayodhya road trip covers around 700km passing cities like Lucknow and Kanpur along the way. From Mumbai it is about 1600km crossing Nasik and Bhopal. Kolkata is roughly 900km via Varanasi and Lucknow.

From southern cities, the drive is longer : Chennai (1950km), Bangalore (1900km), Hyderabad (1300km) via Nagpur. Set aside 2-3 days for road trips from these cities to account for breaks. NH28, NH27, NH19 and state highways provide direct connectivity.

Tips for the road journey:

•  Avoid driving at night for safety 
• Keep cash and fuel topped up
• Carry snacks and water to avoid roadside food
•  Have an emergency contact number

Local Transportation in Ayodhya

Within Ayodhya city, convenient ways to travel are auto-rickshaws, e-rickshaws and cycle rickshaws. Agree on fares beforehand and opt for safer options like e-rickshaw or tempo traveler if in a group. 

Ram Mandir is located about 2.5 km from the bus stand and railway station. You can also walk this stretch along the well laid out roads. There are provisions for depositing footwear and bags when entering the Mandir premises. Palkis are available for senior citizens and the specially abled.

Pro-tips for hassle-free travel:

•  Travel light with essentials only 
• Keep valuables safe 
• Carry extra copies of ID proofs 
• Have enough cash in small change 
• Pack medicines if needed 
• Wear easy to remove footwear 
• Carry reusable water bottle

Places to Stay in Ayodhya

Ayodhya offers budget to luxury stay options near Ram Mandir: 

1. MTDC Ramkot Resort
2. Ayodhya Bhavan 
3. Hotel Saket 
4. Vivanta by Taj Gomti Nagar

Additional accommodation clusters are along the main Faizabad Road and Civil Lines area. Check for rooms in advance during peak seasons.

Experience the divine awakening of visiting Lord Ram's birthplace with proper planning. Travel safe, immerse in the sacred spirit of Ayodhya and seek Lord Ram's blessings for a peaceful life ahead.

Here are some additional tips for a safe and fulfilling pilgrimage to Ayodhya and Ram Mandir:

Food and Restaurants in Ayodhya

•  Try local delicacies like kachoris, jalebis, kheer and thandai.
• Ramkot market offers small eateries and street food options. 
• Some good restaurants are Panchhi Restaurant, Falahaar Restaurant, Alankar Restaurant. 
• Hotel Niranjana near Bus stand has a multicuisine restaurant.
• Keep hydrated with bottled water and drinks like lassi, chaach, nimbu paani. 

Shopping in Ayodhya

•  Grab souvenirs from roadside stalls at Hanuman Garhi.
• Check Khadi emporiums for handicrafts and handloom items.
• Roadside stalls sell trinkets, idols, puja items for offerings.
• Try a special rudraksha mala or crystal Shri Ram idol.

Religious Places to See in Ayodhya

1.  Hanuman Garhi temple 
2. Kanak Bhawan temple
3. Tulsi Smarak Bhawan
4. Saryu Aarti at Naya Ghat
5. Gurudwara Brahma Kund
6. Dashrath Mahal archaeological site

Safety Tips

•  Always be alert and vigilant in crowded areas
• Keep expensive jewelry and gadgets safely tucked away
• Carry a first-aid kit for emergencies
• Keep important phone numbers handy
• Drink bottled water to avoid illness
• Apply sunscreen and wear comfortable clothes

Take Back Sweet Memories

•  Capture the essence of your pilgrimage through photos and videos. 
• Keep a journal to pen down your inner experiences.
• Collect little mementos that help reminisce later on.
• Share your spiritual experiences with loved ones back home.

Have a Comfortable Journey

•  Carry necessary medications if required.
• Pack light woolens in winter.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes. 
• Check weather forecast before you leave.
• Keep sufficient cash for all expenditures.

Booking Accommodation

•  Book hotel rooms well in advance during peak seasons to avoid last minute hassles.
• Look for hotels that provide complimentary breakfast.
• Check if the hotel has clean rooms, hot water, wifi etc.
• Opt for hotels close to the temple or main spots.
• Read reviews and ratings of hotels before booking.
• Negotiate for best rates, discounts or upgrades.

Arranging Transport 

• Hire a reliable taxi service for airport transfers and day trips.
• Compare cab rates online through apps or pre-booked vendors.
•  Rent a car with driver for the flexibility of visiting multiple places.
• For train travel, book tickets for selected dates in advance.
•   Get porter services at stations for luggage assistance.

Guides in Ayodhya

•  Local guides are available for hire at reasonable rates.
• Guides share fascinating stories and legends about holy sites. 
• They can manage travel logistics allowing you to focus on the experience.
• Hire authorized guides registered with tourism department.
• Agree on all terms like fees, timings, places to visit etc beforehand.

Staying Healthy and Safe

•  Consume freshly cooked hot meals at reputed places.  
• Wash hands frequently and carry a sanitizer.
• Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
• Get adequate rest between journeys or long walks.
• Avoid walking alone in isolated areas even during the day.
• Keep emergency numbers handy in case of any unlikely incident.

I hope these tips help you plan a smooth pilgrimage filled with divine blessings and beautiful memories. Have a safe and pleasant journey!