In April 2022, I made a day trip to the holy city Ayodhya from Lucknow with my family. We visited the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple workshop, Lord Ram mandir (temporary temple base of Ram lalla) with the core construction site, Sarayu riverfront (Guptar ghat), etc. In this article, I am sharing my Ayodhya travel experience with you! If you are planning to visit this city, birthplace of Sri Ram, then keep reading.
Ayodhya travel 2022, a day trip from Lucknow:
Ayodhya, the birthplace of our Hindu deity Rama is one of the ancient holy cities of India. Like millions of other Hindu devotees, it’s been my father’s dream to visit Ayodhya for ages. Moreover, for those activists who participated in the Ram Mandir movement (VHP, RSS & other Hindu organizations) in the 90s, paying a visit to the Shri Ram temple located in the highly revered site of Ayodhya, UP, is nothing but a dream come true 
. I am not going deep into the temple/masjid controversy (Ayodhya dispute) details here. You can read everything on Wikipedia!
Trust me, my father was so happy when we entered Ayodhya city. He is a Retd. Headteacher, a Hindu priest, & worked as an RSS and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader in Assam, North East, India. Besides, he actively participated in the temple movement and shila poojan program activities in the 90s with his colleagues. Hence, you can imagine his emotional attachment to this holy place, Ayodhya!
All thanks to my uncle (father’s colleague), who took some time out of his busy schedule to take us to the temple, workshop zone, and the core construction site. Truly blessed
How To Get There:
From Lucknow, it’ll take about 2.5 hours to reach Ayodhya city by car. We booked a private car for the day trip. We started our journey around 9.30 am from Lucknow and reached Ayodhya by 12 pm. You can also travel via bus or train.
There are various modes of transportation like autorickshaws, buses, or taxis for getting around in Ayodhya city. We took autorickshaws to the VHP Karyalaya from the main city entrance.
Best Things to do and see in Ayodhya, Shri Ram’s Birthplace:
The best places that you can’t miss in Shri Ram janmabhoomi, Ayodhya are –
- Lord Ram’s temple (Shri Ramjanmbhumi Mandir)
- Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple workshop at Karsevak Puram
- Kanak Bhavan
- Hanuman Garhi
- Guptar Ghat (Boating and Aarti at River Saryu)
Even though we reached the city by 12 pm, we had to wait till evening to visit the temple and other places. WHY? Because on the same day (15th April – Bengali New year), our former 13th Vice President of India, Mr. Venkaiah Naidu, also came to the city of Lord Shri Ram. And his visit to Ayodhya brought city to halt. Moreover, Sharma uncle (father’s colleague) accompanied him to the temple and construction site. So we decided to wait for Mr. Vice President’s departure at Karsevak Puram, Ayodhya. In the meantime, my elder sister and I attended the famous Bollywood singer Sukhwinder Singh’s press conference. He launched his music album ‘Shri Hanuman Chalisa’ at the karyalaya (VHP head office). It’s a beautiful devotional song, do listen to it!
Okay, so after Mr. Vice President and Mr. Sukhwinder Singh left the city, we started our journey around 3 pm with my uncle. Our first stop was the Ram mandir (temporary base).
Lord Shri Ram Mandir, Ram lalla darshan, Ayodhya (Things to keep in mind):
Presently, a grand Ram mandir is under construction, and hence, expect high security around the Shri Ram janmabhoomi construction site. We parked our cars in front of the temporary shrine ( a tent) and had to leave our phones, camera, watches, metallic materials, bags, and everything in the car before entering the sacred place. Also, remember leather is not allowed here, so do not carry or wear leather bags/shoes. This is a sensitive place, hence tight security in and around the temple.
There are separate queues for males and females. You are required to pass through security checks and straight yet narrow paths to see the idols. We felt so blessed to catch a glimpse of infant Shri Ram (Ram Lalla), Hanumanji and other deities. Even though it’s a temporary base, it’s nothing short of beautiful! After worshipping God and having the prasadam, we left the temple.
By the way, the core committee members will move the idols from the temporary tent to the new grand temple soon once the temple work gets completed. But for now, you can visit this holy place and take blessings from the deities. Jai Shri Ram 
.
PS: We got the VVIP access to the temple and site, so your travel experience may differ from me a bit
Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Core Construction Site, Ayodhya:
I asked my uncle if we could visit the temple construction site, and he agreed! God bless him Since this is a highly sensitive and secure place, I didn’t capture photos.
My father, brother-in-law, and I visited the construction site with my uncle. My sister, mom, and niece decided to take a rest at a nearby committee office. The temple area is so huge! From the top, I could see the other temples of Ayodhya, the route from where the visitors can catch a glimpse of the construction site and the flag. The laborers and supervisors all were working relentlessly at the site. The site tour was such a lovely and memorable experience for us.
Honestly, I can’t wait to see the final look of the Ram temple. I was told we could visit the new grand Ram mandir by 2023! Did I tell you Ayodhya will have its airport soon? My uncle told me, and I also read the news online. I’ll have to visit this holy city with my husband next time 
.
Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple workshop, Teerth Kshetra:
The temple workshop is open to the public. Therefore, you must visit this place when in Ayodhya. Why? Because here, you’ll be able to see the replica of the Shri Ram temple, plus the stone slabs, marble, and designer pillars, things that will be used to decor the main Ram temple! Isn’t it great 
?
Most of these pillars and carved stone slabs from the workshop have already been moved to the Shri Ram temple construction site. I know they will look more polished and gorgeous at the grand temple. However, you’ll definitely feel great when you would spot them later inside the temple! That’s my opinion, though 
. I might jump with joy and scream, hey, I’ve seen these pillars, marbles, and rooftop designs at the temple workshop earlier 
!
There is a beautiful temple at the workshop, Shri Ram janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra. On your left side of the temple, you’ll see an Indian map and a wall featuring the places that lord Shri Ram visited and spent a few days during his exile! You’ll also find a large bell in front of the Ram temple replica model. Photography is allowed here. Hence, you can take pictures without any fuss.
Over 3.5 lakhs shilas (bricks) with Shri Ram inscribed on them were donated in the ’80s during the Ram mandir movement (Shiladan program) and were collected by VHP. You can now see them at the Ram Janambhoomi Nyas workshop at Karsevak Puram. In the future, these bricks will be displayed in the new grand Shri Ram temple!
We spent around 45 minutes at the workshop because there were so many things to see and absorb! Since it was getting dark (around 6 pm), we decided to visit the Guptar Ghat. We did not want to miss the sunset by the sacred Sarayu river!
Guptar Ghat, River Sarayu, Ayodhya:
Your Ayodhya trip is incomplete without paying a visit to the ghats of the Sarayu river . It is believed that lord Shri Ram left the earth by taking Jal Samadhi (drowned himself) at this place.
The spectacular Sarayu river views from the ghat will surely blow your mind away! Although the river is also known for dolphins, we couldn’t spot any of them. Maybe it wasn’t the right season! You can also take a boat ride on this sacred river. Because of our ailing parents and my tired niece, we avoided it and decided to take in the serene views and some rest on the ghat.
When we left the ghat, it was almost 7 pm. Therefore, we decided to leave for Lucknow. On the way to Lucknow, we stopped by a nice restaurant for dinner and reached home around 10 pm .
During this trip, we didn’t have enough time to explore Ayodhya and its nearby tourist places. On my next trip, I’ll ensure to visit more places with my husband and grab as much info and footage as possible for you.
Overall, our day trip from Lucknow to the land (janmabhoomi) of Shri Ram, Ayodhya, in 2022 was smooth, amazing, and satisfying. I just wish it was the winter season (the best time for Ayodhya visit), not the hot summer when we visited. I am planning to visit the grand temple next year with my husband, what about you? Do you like visiting holy, religious places?
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Have you been to Shri Ram Janmabhoomi, Ayodhya, UP? If yes, share your experience with me in the comment section below.
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The post Ayodhya travel 2022 (Ram Janmabhoomi, Temple & Guptar Ghat) : A Day Trip From Lucknow appeared first on Everything Enchanting.
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