Ayodhya Ram Mandir — History, Architecture, Darshan and How to Visit

The temple

The Ram Mandir stands at Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya, on the banks of the Sarayu in Uttar Pradesh — the place many Hindus revere as the birthplace of Lord Rama. Its presiding deity is Ram Lalla, Rama as a child. The temple is managed by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust.

Key dates

• 9 November 2019 — the Supreme Court of India awarded the site for the construction of a temple, with land given elsewhere in Ayodhya for a mosque.
• 5 August 2020 — bhoomi pujan (ground-breaking ceremony).
• 22 January 2024 — pran pratishtha (consecration) of the idol of Ram Lalla; more than half a million people visited on the opening day.
• 25 November 2025 — the Dhwajarohan: the saffron Dharma Dhwaja, bearing the Sun, Om and the Kovidara tree, was hoisted on the shikhara on Vivah Panchami, marking the completion of construction.

Architecture

The temple was designed by the Sompura family of Ahmedabad, temple architects for generations — the chief architect was Chandrakant Sompura with his sons Nikhil and Ashish. It follows the Nagara style of North India (Maru-Gurjara), and measures about 380 feet long, 250 feet wide and 161 feet high, on a raised platform with three storeys. Built of sandstone from Bansi in Rajasthan, it uses no iron or steel; the stone blocks are joined with copper plates.

• The sanctum (garbhagriha) is octagonal, as prescribed for Vishnu temples.
• Five mandapas — Nritya, Rang, Sabha, Prarthana and Kirtan — lead to the sanctum; the Shri Ram Darbar is on the first floor.
• 366 carved columns show the avatars of Vishnu, forms of Shiva and other deities.
• Shrines to Surya, Bhagwati, Ganesha and Shiva stand at the corners, with Annapurna and Hanuman on the north and south.
• About 70% of the 70-acre campus is kept as green space.

Darshan, aarti and passes

Darshan of Ram Lalla is free. Aarti passes and Sugam Darshan passes are issued by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra through its official channels. Darshan and aarti timings change with the season and on festivals, so check them on the trust's official website, srjbtkshetra.org, before you go, rather than relying on timings copied on other websites. Mobile phones, bags and electronic items are generally not allowed inside; lockers are provided.

Getting to Ayodhya

• By air — Maharshi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhya Dham, opened in December 2023.
• By train — Ayodhya Dham Junction (station code AY), about 1.2 km from the temple; Ayodhya Cantt is the city's other main station.
• By road — Ayodhya is about 135 km from Lucknow, 165 km from Prayagraj and 200 km from Varanasi.

Plan more of your trip with our Ayodhya travel guide, and see Ram Navami and Diwali — Ayodhya's grandest festivals.

Sources: Wikipedia: Ram Mandir; Ayodhya Airport; Ayodhya Dham Junction.