Ayodhya · Things to do

Kanak Bhawan कनक भवन

Daily, closed in the afternoon

Kanak Bhawan — a painted temple courtyard with arched galleries on three sides

Kanak Bhawan — a painted temple courtyard with arched galleries on three sides

Tradition holds this was Sita's own house, given to her by Kaikeyi when she came to Ayodhya as a bride, and rebuilt many times since. The present building was raised in 1891 by Maharani Vrishabhanu Kunwari of Orchha, in the style of the palaces of Rajasthan and Bundelkhand, and its images of Rama and Sita are richly ornamented in gold — the name means golden house.

It is calmer than the larger temples, built around a courtyard with galleries that is a good place to sit for a while, and it is the centre of the Vivah Panchami and Sawan Jhula observances.

It closes for several hours in the middle of the day, so plan a morning or evening visit.

Things to do

More in Ayodhya

All things to do
The Ram Janmabhoomi temple — carved sandstone pillars and spires above the pilgrim approachRam Janmabhoomi templeThe temple at the centre of the town.Hanuman Garhi — the flight of stone steps up to the temple gate, worn smooth, pilgrims climbingHanuman GarhiClimbed first, by custom, before anything else.Saryu aarti at Ram ki Paidi — lamps raised above the water at dusk, the broad terraced steps behindSaryu aarti at Ram ki PaidiThe evening offering to the Saryu.Guptar Ghat — quiet stone steps down to the Saryu under old trees, few peopleGuptar GhatWhere Rama is said to have left the world.