Ramayana Circuit India — Complete Pilgrimage Route & Guide 2026

Ramayana Circuit India — overview

The Ramayana Circuit traces the footsteps of Lord Ram across the Indian subcontinent — from his birthplace in Ayodhya to his crossing of the sea to Lanka. India's tourism ministry has formally designated this route for development, with improved infrastructure at each major site.

Site 1: Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh (Starting point)

Ayodhya is the origin of the Ramayana story — Ram's birthplace, childhood home, and the kingdom he returned to after Lanka. Any Ramayana Circuit itinerary begins here.

Key sites in Ayodhya:

• Ram Mandir (Janmabhoomi) — birthplace of Ram
• Hanuman Garhi — Hanuman's watch post
• Kanak Bhawan — Sita's golden palace
• Dashrath Mahal — King Dashrath's palace site
• Nageshwarnath Temple — built by Kush (Ram's son)
• Bharat Kund, Nandigram — 22 km; where Bharat waited
• Treta Ke Thakur — site of Ram's Ashvamedha Yajna

Time needed: 2–4 days minimum; 5–7 days to cover the full Ayodhya section.

How to reach: By train from Delhi (7 hrs), Lucknow (2.5 hrs), Varanasi (2.5 hrs). See Ayodhya airport guide and Varanasi to Ayodhya.

Site 2: Shringverpur — Ram's Crossing of the Ganga

Shringverpur (near Prayagraj, UP) is where Ram, Sita and Lakshman crossed the Ganga at the start of their forest exile. The boatman Kevat famously refused to ferry Ram across unless he could wash Ram's feet — fearing that his boat might turn into a woman (as Ram's foot had already turned a stone into Ahilya). Ram agreed, and Kevat carried them across for free.

Shringverpur Dham today has the Kevat temple and Sringverpur Fort ruins. It is ~38 km from Prayagraj.

Site 3: Chitrakoot (UP–MP border)

Chitrakoot is where Ram, Sita and Lakshman spent the first 11.5 years of their 14-year exile. The most important forest site in the UP section of the circuit.

How to reach: From Ayodhya → Prayagraj (3 hrs by train) → Chitrakoot (3 hrs by road). Or direct from Delhi (~280 km by road).

Site 4: Nashik & Panchavati, Maharashtra

Nashik (Panchavati) is where Surpanakha's nose was cut by Lakshman, triggering the chain of events leading to Sita's abduction. It is also where Ravana kidnapped Sita from the forest hermitage.

Nashik is ~170 km from Mumbai (3 hrs) and 900 km from Ayodhya.

Site 5: Kishkindha (Hampi), Karnataka

Hampi (ancient Kishkindha) is where Ram met Sugriva, forged the alliance with the vanaras, and planned the Lanka campaign. The Anjanadri Hill here is one of the contenders for Hanuman's birthplace.

Hampi is in Karnataka — fly to Hubli (67 km) or Bellary (74 km).

Site 6: Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu

Rameswaram is where Ram built the bridge to Lanka (Ram Setu/Adam's Bridge) and performed a Shiva puja before the Lanka battle. The Ramanathaswamy Temple here is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas — a mandatory stop on both the Ramayana Circuit and the Jyotirlinga pilgrimage.

Rameswaram is an island connected by rail from Chennai (7 hrs) and Madurai (3 hrs).

Suggested Ramayana Circuit itineraries

Short circuit — UP focus (5–7 days)

Full circuit — North to South (14–21 days)

Government Ramayana Circuit initiative

India's Ministry of Tourism has included the Ramayana Circuit in its PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) scheme. Infrastructure development has been sanctioned at multiple sites including Ayodhya, Chitrakoot, Nashik, Hampi and Rameswaram — including improved roads, dharamshalas, visitor facilities and digital signage.

The circuit is also tied to tourism development in Sri Lanka, where Sita's captivity is commemorated at Sita Eliya and Hakgala Botanical Gardens.

Best time for the Ramayana Circuit

For the Ayodhya segment specifically, the Ayodhya itinerary guide has the 2-day and extended versions.

Last verified: June 2026. Government circuit infrastructure is ongoing — check official UP Tourism and Ministry of Tourism resources for current developments.

Last updated: 30 June 2026.