Ayodhya festival calendar

Mar / Apr

Birth of Lord Rama

Ram Navami

Chaitra Shukla Navami — usually late March / early April

The grandest festival in Ayodhya marking Lord Rama's birth.

Tip: Book hotels 3+ months in advance. Expect 6–10 hour darshan queues; consider VIP aarti pass via SRJBTKT.

Full guide

Oct / Nov

World-record lamps

Deepotsav

One day before Diwali (Chaturdashi) — Oct / Nov

Ayodhya's signature festival on the eve of Diwali with 25+ lakh diyas along the Saryu.

Tip: Reach Naya Ghat / Ram Ki Paidi by 4 PM. Wear comfortable footwear; ghats get crowded.

Full guide

Oct / Nov

Festival of lights

Diwali

Kartik Amavasya — Oct / Nov, day after Deepotsav

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.

Jul / Aug

Monsoon swing festival

Sawan Jhula Mela

Entire month of Sawan + Bhadrapada Shukla Tritiya — Jul / Aug

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.

Apr / May

Birth of Devi Sita

Sita Navami / Janaki Navami

Vaishakh Shukla Navami — Apr / May

Celebrates the birth of Goddess Sita with special shringar at Kanak Bhawan.

Tip: Quieter than Ram Navami — great for unhurried darshan with festive spirit.

Mar / Apr

Hanuman's birth

Hanuman Jayanti

Chaitra Purnima — Mar / Apr

Hanuman Garhi turns into a sea of devotees with sindoor abhishek.

Tip: Begin at sunrise — by 9 AM the 76 steps are extremely crowded.

Feb / Mar

Night of Shiva

Mahashivratri

Phalguna Krishna Chaturdashi — Feb / Mar

Nageshwarnath Temple holds rudra-abhishek through the night.

Tip: Carry water and bilva; queues from Nageshwarnath stretch toward Ram Path.

Nov

Sacred Saryu bath

Kartik Purnima Snan

Kartik Purnima — Nov

Lakhs take a holy dip in the Saryu at dawn.

Tip: Reach Ram Ki Paidi before 5 AM. Carry change of clothes and a thin towel.

Apr / May

Auspicious new beginnings

Akshaya Tritiya

Vaishakh Shukla Tritiya — Apr / May

Chandan-yatra at Ram Mandir; sandal paste applied to the deity.

Tip: Combine with a Saryu sunrise snan.

Jul / Aug

Goswami Tulsidas

Tulsi Jayanti

Shravan Shukla Saptami — Jul / Aug

Birth anniversary of Goswami Tulsidas at Tulsi Smarak Bhawan.

Tip: Visit Tulsi Smarak Bhawan in the evening for the Manas Mandap parayan.

Oct / Nov

Circumambulation

Parikrama Mela (Chaurasi Kosi & Panchkosi)

Kartik month — Oct / Nov

Traditional parikramas around Ayodhya by lakhs of pilgrims.

Tip: Carry sturdy shoes, water, ORS and a hat.

January

Temple consecration day

Pran Pratishtha Anniversary

Pausha Shukla Dwadashi — 22 January (Gregorian)

Annual celebration of the 22 Jan 2024 Ram Lalla pran-pratishtha.

Tip: Expect VIP movements and security holds; carry only essentials.

Dates follow the Hindu lunisolar calendar — exact Gregorian date varies year to year. Verify with the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust before travel.

Last updated: June 2026. Sources: SRJBTKT.