Ayodhya, India
A Day Trip to Ayodhya: Visiting the Sacred City and the Ram Mandir
Ayodhya has been high on my list of places to visit in India, and during our stay in Lucknow, we decided to take a day trip there—mainly to see the newly constructed Ram Mandir. I knew beforehand that the temple wasn’t fully completed yet, but I still expected to see more progress than what was actually there. Looking back, I guess all those stunning images I had seen online were AI-generated because what I saw in real life was far from finished.
But what truly stood out to me about Ayodhya wasn’t the temple itself—it was the sheer intensity of the experience. In this post, you are going to read about my highly controversial but very real experience of visiting Ayodhya.
Arriving in Ayodhya – A Crowded Welcome
I’ve been to some of the busiest and holiest places in India, including Varanasi, Mathura, and Delhi, but nothing compared to the crowds in Ayodhya. The streets were packed to the point where people were pushing, shoving, and even kicking just to make their way through. In a city as religiously significant as this, I would have expected a more peaceful and spiritual atmosphere, but instead, it was the complete opposite.
Aside from the people, there were also monkeys everywhere—and they were on a mission. These weren’t the usual monkeys that steal things if you put them down; these ones were grabbing offerings straight out of people's hands, opening them up, and eating whatever was inside. I had never seen anything like it before! It was funny but also frustrating for the people who had prepared their offerings, only to have them snatched away in seconds.
One thing that also surprised me was that you have to pay for nearly everything in Ayodhya. Even to have a gate opened for us, we were expected to pay. I’ve been to many temples in India, and while donations are always encouraged, this felt a bit excessive.
Hanuman Garhi – A Beautiful Yet Overwhelming Experience
Our first stop was Hanuman Garhi, one of the most famous temples in Ayodhya. Dedicated to Lord Hanuman, this temple is believed to be extremely powerful, and many devotees visit it before going to Ram Mandir, like we did. Before entering, we left our shoes at a shop and bought flowers for our offering from a vendor. The temple is located atop a hill, so we had to walk uphill to reach it.
As we climbed the stairs, we got our first glimpse of the temple, and it was absolutely stunning. The architecture was bright, vibrant, and intricately designed, making it stand out even amongst the crowd of devotees. However, once we got inside, things quickly changed.
The pushing and shoving inside Hanuman Garhi was unlike anything I had experienced before. People were desperate to get ahead, and there was zero patience. If you didn’t force your way forward, you would get completely left behind. Being a family of 8, we were all holding onto each other as tight as we could. We didnt even have 10 seconds to place our offerings before being pushed out of the way- I am not exaggerating about this. I was hoping for a moment to soak in the spiritual energy, but instead, I was literally fighting to stay on my feet.
At one point, a man who looked like he was in his 50s next to me was elbowing me and stepping on my feet on purpose, trying to force me to move faster. This experience left me a little disappointed because I truly wanted to appreciate the temple, but the atmosphere just made it impossible. I understand that this is a once in a lifetime experience for many people, and they are all just so eager to get inside, but respect, especially in a temple, is important too.
Ram Mandir – The Grand Yet Unexpected Experience
After leaving Hanuman Garhi, we headed to the Ram Mandir—the main reason we had come to Ayodhya. The temple, dedicated to Lord Ram, is being built on the site believed to be his birthplace. This is one of the most historically and religiously significant temples in all of India, and millions of people visit every year.
As expected, the lines to get in were long, and the security was very strict. No phones or electronics were allowed inside—nothing at all. My dad had to go back and leave his AirPods behind because even those weren’t permitted. The heat was intense, and we were already sweating just from standing in line, but we were excited to finally see the temple.
When we entered, I was immediately struck by the beauty of the temple—the detailed carvings, the grandeur of the structure, and the sheer scale of the place. However, I quickly realized that visiting wasn’t what I had expected. Instead of being able to walk around freely, there was a single-file metal walkway guiding us through. You weren’t allowed to stop, sit, or even pause for a moment—you just kept moving forward the entire time. It felt rushed, which was disappointing because I wanted to truly appreciate the divine energy of the temple.
By the time we exited, I felt like I had barely absorbed what I had just seen. The temple is undoubtedly beautiful, but the experience of being rushed through it left me feeling like I had missed out on something deeper.
Shri Bade Hanuman Ji Mandir – A More Peaceful Stop
Our last stop in Ayodhya was Shri Bade Hanuman Ji Mandir, another important temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman. This visit felt more peaceful than the other temples we had been to, and there were many people inside, singing bhajans and offering prayers. The energy here felt more spiritual, and it was a nice way to end the day.
Final Thoughts on Ayodhya
Ayodhya was an experience that I won’t forget, but it wasn’t what I had imagined. The temples were stunning, and it was incredible to visit such a historically and religiously important city. However, the crowds and overall intensity of the experience made it difficult to fully enjoy the spiritual side of things.
That being said, I’m still grateful for the opportunity to have visited, and I know that Ram Mandir, once completed, will be a truly magnificent sight. I look forward to returning in the future, hopefully when the temple is finished. Until then, I’ll remember Ayodhya as a place of deep devotion, rich history, and unforgettable energy—an experience like no other in India.
