Kashi & Ayodhya Yatra

Highlights & Route

Kashi and Ayodhya, the city of Shiva and the city of Ram, lie barely five hours apart across the plains of Purvanchal, and this five-day yatra joins them in one journey. In Varanasi you have darshan at Kashi Vishwanath, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, and at the Vishalakshi temple beside Manikarnika Ghat, the Shakti Peeth where Sati’s earring, or by another account her eye, is believed to have fallen. You watch the evening Ganga aarti from the ghats and, if you wish, see the city wake from a boat at sunrise.

From Varanasi we drive to Ayodhya for two nights, long enough to have an unhurried darshan of Ram Lalla at the Ram Janmabhoomi temple, climb to Hanuman Garhi, visit Kanak Bhawan with its gold-crowned images of Sita and Ram, the ancient Nageshwarnath temple and the ghats of the Saryu, where the evening aarti is a newer but already beloved tradition. Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first sermon, is included on the Varanasi day for its peaceful park and the Dhamekh stupa.

You travel in a private air-conditioned vehicle, stay in good hotels near the ghats in Varanasi and near the temple area in Ayodhya, with vegetarian breakfast and dinner, and have our Dehradun coordinator on call. Varanasi airport has direct flights from Delhi and most metros, and the city is well connected by train from Dehradun and Haridwar.

Route

Varanasi (Ganga aarti) → Kashi Vishwanath, Vishalakshi Shakti Peeth, Annapurna, Sankat Mochan, Tulsi Manas, BHU, Sarnath → Ayodhya (Ram Janmabhoomi, Saryu aarti) → Hanuman Garhi, Kanak Bhawan, Nageshwarnath, Ram ki Paidi → Varanasi (departure)

Good to know before you book

Kashi Vishwanath opens at about 2:30 am and closes around 11 pm, with general darshan from about 4 am; Mangala aarti at 3 am needs a paid ticket booked in advance, and phones, bags and leather are not allowed inside the corridor.
Ram Mandir darshan runs in morning and afternoon sessions (roughly 7 am to 11:30 am and 2 pm to 9 pm, subject to change); phones, cameras, bags and food must be deposited in lockers before entry, and Sugam darshan and aarti passes are issued through the temple trust.
Varanasi to Ayodhya is about 220 km, around 5 hours on the Varanasi–Lucknow highway via Jaunpur and Sultanpur.
Boat rides on the Ganga and the Saryu are at your own cost and are suspended when the rivers are in flood (usually August–September).
Mahashivratri, Dev Deepawali (Kartik Purnima) and Ram Navami are the peak festivals; they are magnificent but crowded and hotel rates double, so book early.
October to March is the best season; April to June is very hot.

Yatra Highlights

Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga and the Vishalakshi Shakti Peeth
Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh and Saryu aarti at Ayodhya
Two nights in Ayodhya for Ram Lalla, Hanuman Garhi and Kanak Bhawan

Day 1 :

Arrive Varanasi, evening Ganga aarti

Our representative meets you at your arrival point (airport, railway station or hotel) at the agreed time at Varanasi airport or railway station and drives you to the hotel. After rest we take you to the ghats in the late afternoon. Walk along the riverfront from Assi or Dashashwamedh, and at dusk find a place on the steps for the Ganga aarti, when the priests swing tiered lamps to the beat of drums and conches. A boat seat for the aarti can be arranged at your own cost. Dinner at the hotel.

Overnight: Varanasi

Day 2 :

Kashi Vishwanath, Vishalakshi and Sarnath

We start early. Yatris who wish can take a sunrise boat ride past the ghats (own cost). We then enter the Kashi Vishwanath corridor for darshan of the Jyotirlinga; phones and bags are deposited outside and our coordinator guides you through. From the temple we walk to the Vishalakshi Shakti Peeth near Manikarnika Ghat and to the Annapurna temple. After breakfast and rest we visit Sankat Mochan Hanuman temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir with the Ramcharitmanas inscribed on its walls, the Bharat Mata temple and the new Vishwanath temple on the BHU campus. In the afternoon we drive 10 km to Sarnath to see the Dhamekh stupa, the Chaukhandi stupa, the Mulagandha Kuti Vihar and the archaeological museum with the Ashokan lion capital. Lunch (own cost). Dinner at the hotel.

Overnight: Varanasi

Day 3 :

Varanasi to Ayodhya, Saryu aarti

After breakfast we leave for Ayodhya (about 220 km, 5 hours) via Jaunpur and Sultanpur, with a tea break on the way. Check in by afternoon and rest. In the evening we go to Ram ki Paidi on the Saryu for the river aarti, and if the darshan session is still open, a first glimpse of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple from outside. Dinner at the hotel.

Overnight: Ayodhya

Day 4 :

Ayodhya darshan

An early breakfast and then the Ram Janmabhoomi temple for darshan of Ram Lalla; lockers for phones and bags are at the entrance and our coordinator helps with the queue. We then climb the 76 steps to Hanuman Garhi, the hilltop fort-temple of Hanuman that guards the city, and visit Kanak Bhawan, said to have been gifted to Sita by Kaikeyi, where Ram and Sita wear golden crowns. After lunch (own cost) we see the Nageshwarnath temple founded by Ram's son Kush, the Dashrath Mahal, and if time allows the Guptar Ghat where Ram is said to have taken jal samadhi. Evening free on the ghats. Dinner at the hotel.

Overnight: Ayodhya

Day 5 :

Ayodhya to Varanasi, departure

Breakfast and check-out. We drive back to Varanasi (about 220 km, 5 hours) and drop you at your departure point (airport, railway station or hotel) at the airport or railway station. Please book flights or trains departing after 5 pm; yatris with late-night trains can rest at a hotel for a few hours at a small extra cost.

Overnight: Not applicable (yatra ends)

Night	Place	Hotel (or similar)	Room type
1	Varanasi	Hotel confirmed at booking	Standard room, sharing basis
2	Varanasi	Hotel confirmed at booking	Standard room, sharing basis
3	Ayodhya	Hotel confirmed at booking	Standard room, sharing basis
4	Ayodhya	Hotel confirmed at booking	Standard room, sharing basis

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand all

Which Shakti Peeth is in Varanasi?

The Vishalakshi temple near Manikarnika Ghat, where Sati’s earring (manikarnika) or, in another tradition, her eye is believed to have fallen. The Goddess is worshipped as Vishalakshi, the wide-eyed one, with Kala Bhairava as her Bhairava. The temple is a short walk from Kashi Vishwanath and is especially lively during Navratri and on Kajali Teej.

What are the Kashi Vishwanath darshan timings?

The temple opens at about 2:30 am and closes around 11 pm. Mangala aarti is from 3 to 4 am (ticketed), general darshan runs from about 4 am to 11 am and again after the midday bhog aarti until the Sapta Rishi aarti at 7 pm, with further aartis at 9 pm and 10:30 pm. Timings change on festivals; we reconfirm before your visit.

Can we book Mangala aarti or Sugam darshan tickets?

Yes. Both are issued by the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust through its official website and counters, and the Ram Mandir trust issues its own aarti and Sugam darshan passes. Tickets are limited and often sell out, so tell us at booking and we will guide you through the official portals; the ticket cost is paid by you directly.

Are phones allowed inside the temples?

No. Both Kashi Vishwanath and Ram Mandir prohibit phones, cameras, smartwatches, bags and leather items inside. Lockers are available near the entrances for a small fee. Carry only your ID and cash for offerings.

How long is the drive between Varanasi and Ayodhya?

About 220 km and roughly 5 hours via Jaunpur and Sultanpur, with a tea stop. The road is a good highway and we travel by day.

Is the yatra suitable for elderly yatris?

Yes, with care. The queues and ghat steps are the hardest parts; Sugam darshan passes, wheelchairs at Ram Mandir and rickshaws for the lanes all help, and we keep the schedule flexible. Please tell us in advance about any mobility needs.

Can we add Prayagraj or Gaya?

Yes. Prayagraj (Triveni Sangam) lies on the Varanasi–Ayodhya route and can be added with one night. For Gaya and Bodh Gaya see our Varanasi with Gaya package, or ask us for a combined Kashi–Gaya–Ayodhya yatra.

How many steps are there at Hanuman Garhi in Ayodhya?

Hanuman Garhi, the hilltop temple of Hanuman, is reached by about 76 steps. We visit it on Day 4, right after Ram Lalla darshan at the Ram Janmabhoomi temple, and then go on to Kanak Bhawan. Elderly yatris can take the steps slowly with rests; there is no time pressure on this day. Phones and bags must be deposited in lockers before Ram Mandir darshan.

Yatra	Duration	Starts from	Price
Kashi & Ayodhya Yatra (this page)	5 days / 4 nights	Varanasi	On request
Ayodhya Dham with Kailash Aerial Darshan	3 days / 2 nights	Lucknow	On request
Ayodhya Ghat walk	Day visit	Ayodhya	On request
Ayodhya Mandir Darshan	Day visit	Ayodhya	On request
Ayodhya Nandigram Yatra	5 days / 4 nights	Ayodhya	From ₹30,000
Ayodhya Ram Mandir Darshan: A Journey to the Treta Yuga	3 days / 2 nights	Ayodhya	On request
Dev Deepawali Varanasi: Ghat Darshan by Boat	Day visit	Varanasi	From ₹9,999
Kashi Darshan – Full Day	Day visit	Varanasi	On request

Highlights & Route

Route

Good to know before you book

Yatra Highlights

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Inclusions & Exclusions

Included

Not included

Hotels

Documents & Fitness

Documents to carry

Fitness and health

Cancellation Policy

Frequently Asked Questions

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