Where to Stay in Ayodhya: Areas and Options

First decide the area

Near the temples: Ramkot, Naya Ghat, Ram Path. You can walk to Hanuman Garhi, the Ram Mandir and the Saryu, which matters a great deal on days when vehicles are stopped. Rooms here are simpler, lanes are narrow and it is lively from before dawn. Best for short visits and for pilgrims who want to attend the early and late aartis.

Civil Lines and the former Faizabad side. Six to ten kilometres from the temples, with wider roads, more mid-range and business hotels, restaurants and parking. Best for families with a car, longer stays and anyone who needs quiet at night. Allow time and fare for the daily trip.

Near the airport or highway. Newer hotels have opened along the approach roads. Convenient for a late arrival or early departure, less so for darshan.

Types of stay

• Dharamshalas and ashrams. The traditional pilgrim stay: basic, clean rooms or dormitories at low cost, often with a simple vegetarian meal. Many are run by religious trusts or community organisations and some take bookings only by phone or in person. Rules are usually strict about timings and conduct.
• Guest houses and homestays. Family-run places, many newly opened, are a good middle choice and a way to eat home-cooked Awadhi vegetarian food. Uttar Pradesh Tourism runs a registered homestay scheme.
• Hotels. From budget to premium, with more opening every year.
• Tent cities and temporary shelters are set up by the administration around the largest festivals.

Booking tips

• For Ram Navami, Deepotsav, the Kartik fairs, New Year and long weekends, book weeks ahead. Prices rise sharply on these dates.
• Ask before paying: exact distance from the Ram Mandir entry, whether vehicles can reach the door, lift for elders, hot water in winter, and check-in time if you arrive by an early train.
• Food in the temple town is vegetarian, and alcohol is not served. Respect this wherever you stay.

Avoid fake bookings

Fraudulent websites and social media pages have copied the names of real hotels and dharamshalas in Ayodhya. Protect yourself:

• Book through the property's own verified number or a well-known booking platform.
• Do not pay an advance to a personal UPI ID or QR code sent on a messaging app.
• Ask for a written confirmation with the property's name and address.
• If you are cheated, report at once on 1930 or at cybercrime.gov.in.

Browse hotels and guest houses and dharamshalas and ashrams in our directory, where every listing is reviewed before it is published. Next: Safety tips for pilgrims.