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.
Sawan Jhula Mela
Entire month of Sawan + Bhadrapada Shukla Tritiya - Jul / Aug
Sawan Jhula Mela
Idols of Ram-Sita on flower-decorated jhulas across temples, especially Kanak Bhawan.
Tip: Carry a small umbrella. Kanak Bhawan and Hanuman Garhi look stunning during this period.
Parikrama Mela (Chaurasi Kosi & Panchkosi)
Traditional parikramas around Ayodhya by lakhs of pilgrims.
Tip: Carry sturdy shoes, water, ORS and a hat.
Diwali
The original homecoming of Lord Rama. The entire city is lit; Ram Mandir holds special aarti.
Tip: Combine with Deepotsav for a 2-night stay. Saryu snan at sunrise is auspicious.
Pran Pratishtha Anniversary
Annual celebration of the 22 Jan 2024 Ram Lalla pran-pratishtha.
Tip: Expect VIP movements and security holds; carry only essentials.
Sita Navami / Janaki Navami
Celebrates the birth of Goddess Sita with special shringar at Kanak Bhawan.
Tip: Quieter than Ram Navami - great for unhurried darshan with festive spirit.
Hanuman Jayanti
Hanuman Garhi turns into a sea of devotees with sindoor abhishek.
Tip: Begin at sunrise - by 9 AM the 76 steps are extremely crowded.
Mahashivratri
Nageshwarnath Temple holds rudra-abhishek through the night.
Tip: Carry water and bilva; queues from Nageshwarnath stretch toward Ram Path.
Akshaya Tritiya
Chandan-yatra at Ram Mandir; sandal paste applied to the deity.
Tip: Combine with a Saryu sunrise snan.
Tulsi Jayanti
Birth anniversary of Goswami Tulsidas at Tulsi Smarak Bhawan.
Tip: Visit Tulsi Smarak Bhawan in the evening for the Manas Mandap parayan.
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: 20 July 2026. Sources: SRJBTKT.