Ayodhya · Festivals

Festivals in Ayodhya

What Ayodhya keeps, and when. Dates move with the lunar calendar, so each one is given by its month rather than by a date that would be wrong most years.

Ram Navami in Ayodhya — pilgrims crossing the Saryu steps at midday, flags above the crowd

Chaitra — March or April

Ram Navami राम नवमी

Rama's birth, observed in the city of his birth.

Deepotsav at Ram ki Paidi — tiers of lit lamps covering the steps down to the Saryu

The eve of Diwali, Kartik — October or November

Deepotsav दीपोत्सव

Lamps in the hundreds of thousands, along the Saryu.

Vivah Panchami — a temple courtyard dressed for a wedding, garlands strung between pillars

Margashirsha — November or December

Vivah Panchami विवाह पंचमी

The marriage of Rama and Sita, kept as a wedding.

Sawan Jhula Mela — a decorated swing hung in a temple hall, flowers along its ropes

Shravan — July or August

Sawan Jhula Mela सावन झूला मेला

The monsoon month, and deities placed on swings.

Parikrama — pilgrims walking a marked circuit road at first light, barefoot, in a continuous line

Kartik — October or November

Panchkosi Parikrama पंचकोसी परिक्रमा

Walking the circuit that holds the town.