Darshan & aarti timings
This page covers history and overview. For the latest opening hours and schedules, use our dedicated timings guide.
Full Treta Ke Thakur opening-day guide2.5 km from Ram MandirOpens once a year - Kartik Shukla Ekadashi (~Nov 20, 2026), 24 hours
Treta Ke Thakur, near the Saryu in the Naya Ghat area, houses what are considered the oldest black-sandstone (shyamashila) idols of Ram in Ayodhya - traditionally said to have been installed by Ram himself at the site of his Ashvamedha Yajna. Queen Ahilyabai Holkar rebuilt the present structure in 1784.
Unlike every other temple in this directory, Treta Ke Thakur does not hold daily darshan - it opens its gates for a single 24-hour window each year, on Kartik Shukla Ekadashi, drawing tens of thousands of pilgrims in one concentrated pilgrimage event.
Pilgrim tips
- Mark Kartik Shukla Ekadashi on your calendar - the temple is closed the rest of the year, visible only from outside the gate.
- If visiting for the opening, book accommodation 2-4 weeks ahead; the whole of Kartik month (Deepotsav, this opening, and Kartik Purnima snan) is Ayodhya's busiest stretch.
- Arrive by 5 AM for the shortest queues, or return after midnight when the crowd thins.
Last updated: 20 July 2026. Sources: SRJBTKT, UP Tourism.