Ram Mandir Darshan Guide: Step by Step

Before you leave your room

Darshan at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir is free and open to everyone. What takes time is security, so the simplest way to have a calm visit is to carry almost nothing.

• Leave phones, cameras, power banks, earphones and smart watches in your room if you can. If you bring them, you must deposit them.
• Leather belts, wallets and bags, tobacco, food and large bags are not permitted.
• Carry a photo ID, a little cash, any medicine you need and a small bottle of water.
• Wear modest, comfortable clothes and footwear that slips off easily. Indian dress is customary but not compulsory.

Step 1: Hanuman Garhi first

By tradition, begin at Hanuman Garhi to seek the guardian's leave. It is less than a kilometre from the temple entrance.

Step 2: Reach the entry point

Pilgrims enter from the Ram Path side through the main approach, Ram Janmabhoomi Path. Vehicles stop well short; e-rickshaws drop you near the start of the pedestrian path.

Step 3: Lockers and footwear

At the pilgrim facilitation centre there are counters to deposit phones and belongings and to leave footwear. You are given a token. Keep it in a pocket you will not empty. Drinking water, toilets, seating, first aid and wheelchairs are available here.

Step 4: Security and the walk

You pass through metal detectors and a physical check, then walk along a covered path to the temple. Follow the barricades; there is one line and it keeps moving.

Step 5: Darshan

You climb the steps on the eastern side and move through the halls to stand before Ram Lalla. On busy days you will have only a few seconds in front of the sanctum, so decide beforehand what you wish to pray for, and look up rather than at your feet. Prasad is given on the way out.

Aarti and special passes

The trust issues a limited number of passes for the daily aartis and may offer other arrangements. These are issued only through its official website or its counter in Ayodhya, against ID, and are not sold. Timings change with the season, so check srjbtkshetra.org shortly before your visit.

Best time of day

Soon after opening in the morning and in the late evening are usually quieter. Avoid the middle of the day in summer. Weekends, Tuesdays, public holidays and festival days are heaviest; see Best time to visit Ayodhya.

Elders, children and differently-abled visitors

Ask for a wheelchair at the facilitation centre; volunteers assist. Details are in Ayodhya with elders and children.

Scams to refuse

• "VIP darshan" or "direct entry" for money. It does not exist.
• Websites or callers collecting donations in the temple's name. Give only through the trust's official channels.
• Strangers offering to "keep your phone safely". Use the official lockers.

If you are cheated, call 1930 (cyber crime) or 112. More: Safety tips for pilgrims and Helpline. After darshan, continue to Kanak Bhawan and Dashrath Mahal.