Ayodhya Ram Mandir Darshan Package with Kashi and Prayagraj for NRI and OCI Pilgrims

The Ram Mandir opened for darshan on 22 January 2024. For families abroad, this is the first chance to bring parents and children to the Ram Janmabhoomi. This yatra joins three holy cities. You start at Ayodhya, then reach Kashi (Varanasi), and finish at Prayagraj. Locals call this the sacred triangle of the Ganga plains.

What this yatra covers

You spend two full days in Ayodhya. You take darshan at the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir. You also see Hanuman Garhi, Kanak Bhawan, Nageshwarnath, and the Sarayu ghats at Ram ki Paidi. Then you travel to Varanasi for Kashi Vishwanath and the Ganga aarti. You close at Prayagraj with a boat to the Triveni Sangam. Five days is a calm pace. Four days is possible if you skip one Varanasi morning.

The Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir and its darshan slots

The temple gives free darshan in seven time slots through the day. These slots run from early morning to night, with a rest break at midday. The trust does not charge any fee for darshan. You do not have to pay a broker for a normal darshan pass.

Book your free darshan pass on the official trust portal at online.srjbtkshetra.org. Carry a valid photo ID. Read the instructions printed on the pass. The queue is well marked and moves in a line. On a normal day, plan two to three hours for the full darshan with security checks.

The aarti pass system, which most pages skip

Most travel pages only talk about darshan. They miss the aarti pass. This is the part your family will thank you for. The temple holds three main aartis each day. The official portal lists Mangal Aarti at 4 AM, Shringar Aarti at 6 AM, and Shayan Aarti at 10 PM.

To join an aarti inside the sanctum you need a separate free aarti pass. Seats are limited. You must book the aarti pass in advance on the same official portal at online.srjbtkshetra.org. The trust charges no fee for the aarti pass either. Timings and the pass list can change on festival days. So always confirm the current pattern on the official site before you travel. If you cannot get an aarti pass, the seven daily darshan slots are open to all.

What is not allowed inside the temple

Security is tight. Phones and cameras are not allowed inside the darshan path. Bags, belts, leather items, and large purses are also kept out. Use the free cloak and locker facility near the entry to leave these items. Carry only your ID and your pass. The full prohibited list can change, so check the notes on your official pass. Tell your NRI relatives this before they land, so nobody carries a phone into the line.

The other temples of Ayodhya

By old custom, many pilgrims first greet Lord Hanuman at Hanuman Garhi. You climb 76 steps to reach the shrine. Inside sits a small idol of Bal Hanuman on the lap of his mother Anjani. Tradition says Hanuman stayed here to guard Ramkot.

Kanak Bhawan sits in the centre of the old town. The story says Kaikeyi gave this palace to Sita and Rama as a wedding gift. It holds idols of Sita with Rama. Nageshwarnath is a Shiva temple by the river. Legend says Kush, the son of Rama, founded it. Shivratri is a big day here.

In the evening you go to Ram ki Paidi. These are the bathing ghats on the Sarayu. Near Diwali the town holds Deepotsav here. At Deepotsav, Ayodhya sets a Guinness World Record on the Sarayu ghats, lighting more than 25 lakh clay lamps in one evening. Devotees believe a bath in the Sarayu washes away sins.

How to reach Ayodhya now

Ayodhya is easy to reach today. The new airport opened on 30 December 2023. Its name is Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhya Dham, and its code is AYJ. Its roof design follows the Ram Mandir. The main railway station is Ayodhya Dham Junction. It was renamed and rebuilt, and the new building opened at the end of December 2023. Both make the first visit simple for families flying from the USA, UK, or Canada.

Kashi Vishwanath and the Ganga aarti

Varanasi is one of the oldest living cities of India. The Kashi Vishwanath Dham corridor opened on 13 December 2021. It links the Kashi Vishwanath temple to the Ganga on a wide walkway. The temple opens very early, at 2:30 AM, and closes near 11 PM. Ticket holders may join the Mangala Aarti from 3 AM. To save time in the line, book Sugam darshan on the official site, shrikashivishwanath.org.

In the evening you watch the Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh ghat. Priests wave tall lamps to the river as bells ring. It happens every evening after sunset. Reach early for a good spot, or hire a shared boat and watch from the water.

Prayagraj and the Triveni Sangam

Prayagraj holds the Triveni Sangam. This is the meeting of the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the unseen Saraswati of tradition. You take a boat to the sangam point. Many pilgrims do a holy dip, called snan, at this spot. Morning light on the water is calm and lovely for elders.

Note the crowd seasons with care. The Magh Mela is held every year, around January to February. Larger Kumbh gatherings come at set intervals and draw enormous crowds. On peak snan days the roads and river fill up fast. If you travel with old parents, plan your Prayagraj day away from these peak dates.

Best season and the Ram Navami crowd caution

The best season for this yatra is October to March. The plains are cool and dry then. Days are pleasant and the mornings are misty. April to June turns very hot. July to September brings the monsoon rain.

Ram Navami falls in the Hindu month of Chaitra, usually in March or April. It marks the birth of Lord Rama. On this day the crowd at Ayodhya is huge. Hotels fill months ahead. On Ram Navami, at noon, a beam of sunlight falls on the forehead of Ram Lalla as the Surya Tilak. It is a moving sight, but the crowd is very heavy. If you bring frail elders, it is wiser to pick a quieter week.

For NRI and OCI families making a first darshan

For many NRI and OCI families this is a homecoming. Your children may see Ayodhya for the first time. A few simple steps make it smooth. Carry your passport and your OCI card at all times. An OCI card holder is treated like a resident for entry to these temples. There is no special foreigner ticket for darshan here. Book darshan and aarti passes online before you fly. Keep printouts, as phone signal near the temple can be weak.

Plan for jet lag. Give the family one easy day after landing. Keep the darshan slot for the second morning, when everyone is fresh. Carry any daily medicines with a doctor note. Indian sim cards or an eSIM will help you book passes and cabs.

Dress and darshan etiquette

Dress in simple, modest clothes. Men can wear a kurta or a shirt with full trousers. Women can wear a saree or a salwar suit. Cover your shoulders and knees at all temples. You will walk barefoot inside, so wear socks in winter. Keep your voice low in the sanctum. Do not push in the line. Let elders and small children rest when they need to.

Elder and wheelchair guidance

This yatra is gentle if you plan it well. Ayodhya and the Kashi Dham corridor have ramps and wheelchair help. Ask the staff at the gate. Pick the early darshan slots, when the line is shorter. The ghat steps at the Sarayu and the Ganga can be wet, so hold the railing. At Prayagraj, board the boat slowly and carry a change of clothes for anyone who takes a dip. Keep water, a hat, and any medicines in a small pouch.