Ayodhya festival calendar
Every major festival, mela and yatra in Ayodhya - with traditional dates, rituals and pilgrim tips.
Ayodhya's festival calendar is rooted in the Hindu lunisolar calendar, with dates shifting annually based on lunar cycles. Major celebrations like Deepotsav and Ram Navami draw lakhs of pilgrims and require advance planning - hotels, trains, and VIP darshan passes book out 2-3 months ahead. This page lists confirmed 2026 dates for key festivals at Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir and across Ayodhya, along with practical tips for each celebration. For daily darshan timing and aarti schedule, visit our darshan guide. For accommodation during festivals, check our hotels page early.
Ayodhya's festival culture blends Vedic rituals, folk traditions, and modern grandeur. Deepotsav features Guinness-record diya displays on Saryu ghats, while Ram Navami includes the spectacular Surya Tilak ceremony where sunlight illuminates Ram Lalla at noon through specially designed mirrors. Sawan Jhula (monsoon swing festival) at Kanak Bhawan offers a quieter, deeply devotional experience with flower-decorated swings and bhajans. Beyond these marquee events, Ayodhya celebrates Hanuman Jayanti, Vivah Panchami (Rama-Sita wedding anniversary), Kartik Purnima snan, and Mahashivratri at Nageshwarnath Temple. Each festival has its own logistics - crowd levels, special aartis, extended temple hours, and cultural programs - detailed in the individual event pages below.
Visiting Ayodhya for Diwali & Deepotsav? Over 85% Hotels are Sold Out!
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Deepotsav 2026 — Ayodhya Festival of Lights (7–8 Nov)
Deepotsav: 7 November 2026 (Sat) | Ayodhya Diwali: 8 November 2026 (Sun)
Deepotsav 2026 — Ayodhya Festival of Lights (7–8 Nov)
Ayodhya Deepotsav 2026 (7 Nov): 28+ lakh earthen diyas across 55 Saryu ghats, 500-drone aerial show, and 1100-priest Saryu Maha Aarti. Ayodhya Diwali 2026 (8 Nov): Ram Mandir special Chappan Bhog and all-night aarti.
Tip: Reach Ram Ki Paidi by 4:00 PM on 7 Nov. All private vehicles are banned on Ram Path from 6 AM — use NH-27 parking hubs and official e-shuttles. Book hotels by August 2026 as properties sell out 3+ months in advance.
Diwali (Deepavali & Annakoot)
The original homecoming of Lord Rama. The entire city is illuminated with ghee lamps; Ram Mandir hosts special Chappan Bhog.
Tip: Combine with Deepotsav for a 2-night stay. Attend the sunrise Saryu Snan at Naya Ghat.
Chhath Puja (Saryu Riverfront Surya Snan)
Lakhs of Vratis assemble at Saryu Ghats and Ram Ki Paidi for evening Sandhya Arghya and morning Usha Arghya to Surya Dev.
Tip: Arrive at Ram Ki Paidi by 3:30 PM on Nov 15 for evening Arghya. Early morning Arghya begins at 5:30 AM on Nov 16.
Ayodhya 14 Kosi Parikrama
25+ lakh pilgrims circumambulate the 42-kilometer outer kingdom boundary of ancient Ayodhya over 24 hours.
Tip: Wear comfortable walking shoes or thick socks. Free tea/water bhandaras and medical camps run every 500 meters.
Ayodhya 5 Kosi (Panchkoshi) Parikrama
15-kilometer walking parikrama encompassing the sacred royal capital (Antargriha), Mani Parvat, and Ram Janmabhoomi perimeter.
Tip: Takes 4 to 6 hours to complete. Ideal for families and senior citizens compared to the demanding 14-kosi route.
Vivah Panchami (Ram-Sita Celestial Wedding)
Celebrates the divine wedding of Bhagwan Shri Ram and Mata Sita with ceremonial baraat processions, special Kanak Bhawan shringar, and Vivah geet.
Tip: Kanak Bhawan and Dashrath Mahal host massive wedding feast bhandaras and special aartis.
Makar Sankranti
Pilgrims take a holy dip in the Saryu to mark Uttarayan and the sun's transit into Makara Rashi, followed by til-gud and khichdi daan.
Tip: Winter mornings are crisp and cold — carry warm removable layers for the Saryu dip.
Pran Pratishtha Anniversary Utsav
Annual celebration of the historic 22 Jan 2024 Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha with mega Abhishek and continuous Ramcharitmanas recital.
Tip: Book accommodation 2 months in advance as large numbers of saints and dignitaries attend.
Ram Navami (Surya Tilak Festival)
The grandest festival in Ayodhya marking Lord Rama's birth with the 12:00 PM Surya Tilak ceremony on Ram Lalla's forehead.
Tip: Book hotels 3+ months in advance. Darshan queues operate up to 20 hours daily during Navami.
Shardiya Navratri & Grand Ayodhya Ramlila
10-day open-air grand Ramlila at Laxman Kila featuring national celebrity cast, 9-color Ram Lalla shringar, and 50-foot Ravan Dahan.
Tip: Arrive at Laxman Kila grounds by 5:45 PM for prime front seating. Performances run 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM daily with free entry.
Dates follow the Hindu lunisolar calendar - exact Gregorian date varies year to year. Verify with the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust before travel.
Plan Your Festival Visit
Darshan Timing & Booking
Book VIP passes early for festivals. Expect 4-10 hour queues on major festival days.
Hotels Near Ram Mandir
Book 2-3 months ahead for Ram Navami and Deepotsav. Review-based hotel suggestions.
How to Reach Ayodhya
Flight, train, and road options. Book transportation early for festival dates.
Festival Guide
Detailed guide to Ayodhya festivals with planning tips and crowd management.
Temple Directory
Visit Hanuman Garhi, Kanak Bhawan, and other temples during your festival trip.
Emergency Contacts
Police, ambulance, and tourist helpline numbers for festival days.
Last updated: 26 October 2026. Sources: SRJBTKT.