✦ Sacred Calendar ✦
Events of Ayodhya
A whole year of sacred festivals, divine celebrations and timeless rituals — all rooted in the glory of Lord Rama and Sanatan Dharma.
Deepotsav — The Festival of a Million Lamps
Ayodhya's Deepotsav (Diwali) is one of India's most spectacular celebrations. The entire city is illuminated with hundreds of thousands of earthen lamps along the Sarayu ghats, re-enacting the return of Lord Rama from Lanka after 14 years of exile. The Guinness World Record for the most diyas lit simultaneously was set here, with over 22 lakh lamps glowing along Ram Ki Paidi. A divine spectacle that must be witnessed in one's lifetime.
Amavasya
Makar Sankranti — Sarayu Snan
On the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti (January 14), pilgrims throng the Sarayu ghats for the sacred Uttarayan bath. Tradition holds that Lord Rama himself performed holy dips on this day. Thousands light diyas on the river, chant the Ramayana, and offer sesame seeds and jaggery to the sacred waters.
Paush Putrada Ekadashi
A highly auspicious Ekadashi dedicated to Lord Vishnu. In Ayodhya, this is observed with elaborate Ram Katha recitations in the major temples, 24-hour lamp lighting, and a special Paran (breaking of fast) ceremony on the ghats at sunrise.
Basant Panchami — Saraswati Puja
The arrival of spring (Basant) is celebrated with great joy in Ayodhya. Devotees dress in yellow — the colour of mustard blossoms — and visit the Ram Janmabhoomi temple for special darshan. Kanak Bhawan and Hanuman Garhi hold elaborate Saraswati puja and Ram Katha programmes. Kite-flying fills the Ayodhya sky.
Magh Purnima Snan
The Magh Purnima full moon bath at Ram Ki Paidi is considered especially meritorious. The entire month of Magh sees continuous bathing and prayers at the ghats. Thousands of oil lamps are set afloat on the Sarayu in a mesmerising ritual of light and devotion.
Ram Navami (Chaitra Shukla Navami) is the holiest day in the Ayodhya calendar — the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Shri Ram, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu. The entire city transforms into a sea of saffron and gold. A spectacular five-day festival with Ram Katha, Ramayana recitations, tableaux (jhankis), abhishek ceremonies at Ram Janmabhoomi, processions (shobha yatras) with decorated elephants and chariots through the city, and free langar for lakhs of pilgrims. The Ram Janmabhoomi temple witnesses its grandest darshan of the year precisely at noon — the moment of Ram's birth — when sunrays are engineered to fall directly upon the Ram Lalla idol (Surya Tilak).
Surya Tilak Ceremony
At Ram Janmabhoomi, a mirror-and-lens system directs sunlight to fall precisely on Ram Lalla's forehead at noon on Ram Navami — an engineering marvel of devotion.
When
March–April (Chaitra Shukla Navami). Five-day celebrations from Panchami to Navami. Over 25 lakh pilgrims attend.
Grand Procession
A massive Shobha Yatra winds through the city with decorated chariots, elephants, musicians, and millions of devotees chanting "Jai Shri Ram."
Holi — Festival of Colours
Ayodhya celebrates Holi with a unique tradition — Phoolon ki Holi (Holi of Flowers) where devotees shower flower petals on each other inside the temple courtyards. The temples of Kanak Bhawan and Ram Janmabhoomi hold special programmes where dry colours (gulal) and flowers are offered to the deities before festivities begin. An ancient tradition connecting Lord Rama's birth city to the celebration of spring.
Amalaki Ekadashi
On Phalgun Shukla Ekadashi, the amla (Indian gooseberry) tree — sacred to Lord Vishnu — is worshipped in Ayodhya's temples and household courtyards. Special Vishnu Sahasranama and Ram Katha recitations are held, and the Sarayu bath on this day is believed to confer liberation (moksha).
Ram Navami Mahotsav
The grandest festival of Ayodhya — the birth anniversary of Lord Rama. The city is draped in saffron. A five-day celebration includes Ram Katha, Ramayana path, Surya Tilak at Ram Janmabhoomi, massive Shobha Yatra processions, Vedic havan, free langar for lakhs, and aarti on the Sarayu. The city glows with over 5 lakh pilgrims at Ram Ki Paidi. Celebrated in March or April depending on the tithi.
Hanuman Jayanti
Ayodhya's Hanuman Garhi — one of India's most revered Hanuman temples — becomes the epicentre of Hanuman Jayanti celebrations. Tens of thousands of devotees climb the 76 steps at dawn, offering sindoor, jasmine garlands and oil lamps. All-night Hanuman Chalisa recitations, Sundar Kand path, and a massive bhajan sandhya mark the occasion.
Akshaya Tritiya
Akshaya Tritiya (Vaishakh Shukla Tritiya) is considered supremely auspicious — every act performed on this day yields eternal merit. In Ayodhya, special puja and havan are performed at Ram Janmabhoomi and major temples. Devotees donate gold, grain and clothes to priests at the ghats. Gold charities (dan) on this day are a centuries-old Ayodhya tradition.
Vaishakh Purnima — Buddha Purnima
Vaishakh Purnima is marked by a grand sarayu snan and special puja at the Nageshwarnath temple (one of Ayodhya's oldest). Ram Katha recitations and deepdan (lamp offering) on the river continue through the night. The Mani Parvat stupa — a sacred Buddhist site within the city — also sees commemorative prayers on this day.
Nirjala Ekadashi
Nirjala Ekadashi — observed without even water — is the most austere of the 24 annual Ekadashis. In Ayodhya, devotees undertake this fast in the name of Lord Ram, staying awake all night in the temples with bhajans and recitations of the Ramayana. Breaking the fast with Sarayu water at dawn the next morning is considered especially purifying.
Ganga Dussehra — Sarayu Mahotsav
In Ayodhya, Ganga Dussehra is celebrated as Sarayu Dussehra — honouring the sacred river Sarayu (Saraju), which flows through the city and is believed to have descended from the Himalayas by the grace of Brahma. Thousands perform deepdan along the ghats and priests perform elaborate jalabhishek at the riverside temples.
Guru Purnima
On Ashadha Purnima, Ayodhya's saints and scholars receive the veneration of lakhs of disciples. The great sage Valmiki — composer of the Ramayana — is especially revered on this day. Gatherings at the Valmiki Ramayan Bhavan and Ram Katha Kunj feature Ramayana recitations, guru-shishya ceremonies and public discourses on Dharma.
Sawan Maas Begins — Shravan Jhula Mela
The holy month of Shravan (July–August) begins with the Shravan Jhula Mela — one of Ayodhya's most beloved annual events. Ornate swings (jhoolas) are decorated with flowers, gold and silver embroidery and installed in the main temples. The idols of Ram-Sita and Radha-Krishna are placed on the swings and serenaded with monsoon songs (kajri) and bhajans. The entire month is alive with devotional fervour at Nageshwarnath, Kanak Bhawan and Hanuman Garhi.
Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan is celebrated with particular fervour at Ayodhya's temples, where priests tie sacred rakhis on Lord Ram's wrists in a touching ceremony. Devotees follow the same tradition at home. A special ritual called Raksha Bandhan Mahotsav is held at the Ram Janmabhoomi temple, and Sarayu ghat becomes the gathering point for families at sunset.
Janmashtami
Ayodhya reverently celebrates the birthday of Lord Krishna — Lord Rama's next avatar — with midnight abhishek, flute music, Dahi Handi events and dramatic Ram-Leela tableaux. The interconnection between the two incarnations of Vishnu is the theme of all-night spiritual programmes at Kanak Bhawan and Ram Janmabhoomi during this night.
The fortnight of Pitru Paksha (September–October) is Ayodhya's solemn ancestral mela. The Sarayu river — considered as sacred as the Ganga — is a premier tarpan (water offering) site. Pilgrims travel from across India to perform Shraddh rituals, offer pinda dan (rice balls) and pray for the liberation of their ancestors. The ghats at Swarg Dwar and Ram Ki Paidi are especially significant during this period, believed to grant direct moksha to the souls of the departed. Priests sit in continuous recitation of the Garuda Purana and Ramayana, and the evenings are illuminated by floating diyas.
Tarpan at Swarg Dwar
Swarg Dwar ghat — "Gate to Heaven" — is the primary site for ancestral water offerings (tarpan). The Sarayu here is believed to carry the souls of the departed directly to Vaikuntha.
When
September–October (Bhadra Purnima to Ashwin Amavasya). 16 days. Mahalaya Amavasya is the final and most sacred day.
Pitru Paksha — Shraddh Mela
The 16-day Pitru Paksha is Ayodhya's most solemn observance. Tens of thousands of pilgrims arrive to perform Shraddh tarpan and pinda dan at the Sarayu ghats — especially at Swarg Dwar. Mahalaya Amavasya (the final day) draws the largest crowds. Priests conduct continuous Garuda Purana and Ram Katha recitations through the night.
Shardiya Navratri
Nine nights of devotion to Devi Durga, interwoven with Ram Katha recitations — for it was Lord Rama who performed the Akal Bodhan (invocation of Durga out of season) before the battle of Lanka. Ayodhya's temples are decorated with thousands of lamps. The Ramayan Mela, Ram Leela dramatic performances and Ramacharitmanas recitations run continuously for nine days, culminating in Dussehra.
Vijaya Dashami — Dussehra
Dussehra in Ayodhya is celebrated as the day Lord Rama defeated Ravana — the victory of truth over evil, dharma over adharma. Massive effigy burnings of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnath fill the grounds with light and sound. A grand Ram Leela procession with Ram, Lakshmana and Hanuman enacting the Lanka battle is Ayodhya's Dussehra signature. The evening fireworks reflect in the Sarayu like a thousand suns.
Deepotsav — Ayodhya Diwali
Ayodhya's Deepotsav (celebrated on Diwali) commemorates the return of Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. The entire city — from Ram Ki Paidi to the Ram Mandir — is illuminated with over 22 lakh earthen diyas. An aerial tableau of the Pushpak Viman (Lord Rama's flying chariot) descends dramatically. The lighting is preceded by a grand Ram Durbar procession, laser shows and classical dance performances. Guinness World Records for most diyas lit simultaneously has been broken here multiple times.
Vivah Panchami
Vivah Panchami (Margashirsha Shukla Panchami) celebrates the sacred marriage of Lord Rama and Devi Sita at Janakpur (Nepal). In Ayodhya, the celebration is extraordinary — the Ram-Sita marriage is re-enacted in a grand Vivah Mahotsav across the city. Temples hold elaborate wedding ceremonies with all Vedic rituals, singing of Tulsidas's Manas, and a ceremonial bridal procession through Ayodhya's streets. November or December depending on tithi.
Kartik Purnima — Dev Deepawali
On the full moon of Kartik — the most sacred month in Hinduism — Ayodhya hosts its grandest ghat mela. The entire Sarayu shoreline blazes with lamps. The day also marks Dev Deepawali (Diwali of the Gods), when it is believed the gods descend to bathe in holy rivers. Devuthani Ekadashi (when Vishnu awakens from his yoga nidra) falls five days earlier, and is celebrated in Ayodhya with the grand Tulsi Vivah ceremony at all major temples.
Gita Jayanti — Mokshada Ekadashi
On Margashirsha Shukla Ekadashi, Ayodhya celebrates the day the Bhagavad Gita was revealed on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. The Ram Katha Kunj and Ramayan Bhavan host mass recitations of the Gita alongside the Ramacharitmanas, drawing scholars and saints. This Ekadashi is also called Mokshada — granting liberation — and the Sarayu ghat observance on this night is especially meritorious.
Tulsi Vivah Mahotsav
The ceremonial wedding of the Tulsi plant (sacred to Vishnu/Rama) with the Shaligram stone marks the beginning of the Hindu wedding season. In Ayodhya, this is celebrated at every temple and household with lamps, conch shells and chanting. The ceremony at Kanak Bhawan and Ram Janmabhoomi is particularly elaborate, symbolising Ram's eternal union with Devi Sita.
Pran Pratishtha Anniversary
Celebrated each January 22nd, the anniversary of the historic Pran Pratishtha ceremony at the new Ram Mandir (2024) is observed with great fervour — special abhishek of Ram Lalla, free darshan, illuminations, cultural programmes and mass prayers. Though in January, December marks the preparation period with city-wide decorations beginning mid-month.
Best Time to Visit
October to March offers the most comfortable climate. Ram Navami (April), Deepotsav (October–November) and Vivah Panchami (November–December) are the three peak pilgrimage periods drawing millions.
Getting There
Ayodhya Junction connects to Delhi, Mumbai, Varanasi, Lucknow and Prayagraj by direct trains. The new Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram Airport serves air travellers. NH27 for road access.
Pilgrimage Tips
Book accommodation 2–3 months in advance for Ram Navami and Diwali. Dress modestly (traditional attire is welcomed). Vegetarian city — no non-veg or alcohol. Carry a water bottle for ghat walks.