Chaurasi Kosi Parikrama (from Makhauda Dham)
Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh · fair
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
The Chaurasi Kosi Parikrama — the "eighty-four kos" circuit — is the vastest and most venerable of the pilgrim circumambulations that ring the holy region of Ayodhya. Its name comes from its length: eighty-four kos (chaurasi kos), a traditional unit of roughly three kilometres, so the full loop measures about 252 kilometres. Where Ayodhya's inner Panchkosi and Chaudah-kosi parikramas are completed in a single day or night, this outer circuit is a walking penance of some three weeks, and pilgrims speak of it as the great parikrama — the one that embraces not just the temple town but the whole sacred landscape through which the Ram-katha unfolds.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Bhandaras and free langar along the parikrama route – during Chaitra Purnima, community kitchens serve simple pure-vegetarian meals (dal, sabzi, rice, puri) to all pilgrims; entirely veg by tradition.
- ✦Harraiya bazaar dhabas (near Makhauda Dham) – small-town vegetarian eateries and sweet shops serving kachori-sabzi, samosa and chai; confirm pure-veg on arrival as this is a modest rural market.
- ✦Basti town pure-veg restaurants (roughly 30–35 km away) – a few dependable vegetarian thali and mithai options in the district headquarters; verify locally before ordering.
- ✦Ayodhya's pure-veg core (for those basing in the temple town) – the free Ram Rasoi and the many strictly vegetarian prasad, kachori and dahi-jalebi stalls near the ghats and temples.
About
The Chaurasi Kosi Parikrama — the "eighty-four kos" circuit — is the vastest and most venerable of the pilgrim circumambulations that ring the holy region of Ayodhya.
- Its name comes from its length: eighty-four kos (chaurasi kos), a traditional unit of roughly three kilometres, so the full loop measures about 252 kilometres.
- Where Ayodhya's inner Panchkosi and Chaudah-kosi parikramas are completed in a single day or night, this outer circuit is a walking penance of some three weeks, and pilgrims speak of it as the great parikrama — the one that embraces not just the temple town but the whole sacred landscape through which the Ram-katha unfolds.
- By long tradition the parikrama begins and ends at Makhauda Dham, a serene old shrine and yajna-ground set amid the fields of the Harraiya country in Basti district.
- Devotees connect Makhauda with the Putrakameshti Yajna — the sacred fire-sacrifice performed on behalf of King Dasharatha of Ayodhya so that he might be blessed with sons; the very name Makhauda is drawn from makh, meaning a yajna or sacrificial offering.
- To the faithful it is thus the spiritual seed-ground of the Ramayana itself, the place from which the story of Rama begins, and so the fitting threshold from which the grand outer circuit of his birth-land is walked.
- The journey formally sets out on Chaitra Purnima — the full-moon day of the month of Chaitra (March–April) — and winds for about twenty-one days across five districts of the Ayodhya region, traditionally counted as Ayodhya, Basti, Ambedkar Nagar, Gonda and Barabanki, touching a garland of smaller tirthas, kunds and village shrines along the way before returning to Makhauda.
- During these weeks the route becomes a moving township of the devout: barefoot sadhus, families, and village congregations walk with flags and the steady call of "Siyavar Ramchandra ki jai," resting in makeshift camps and roadside bhandaras where free vegetarian meals are served to all comers.
- For the traveller this is less a monument to be ticked off than a living devotional current to be witnessed.
- Most visitors join for a single stretch or come simply to take darshan at Makhauda Dham and absorb the atmosphere of the starting point; a smaller number of the committed walk the whole loop.
- The fair is entirely free, family-friendly and open to all, and the food along it is strictly vegetarian in keeping with the sanctity of the land.
- Dress modestly, carry water and sturdy footwear if you intend to walk any distance, and go with the unhurried, reverent temper the parikrama asks of everyone who steps onto it.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Makhauda Dham, Harraiya tehsil, Basti district (traditional starting point of the parikrama), Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, 272155
How to Reach: Makhauda Dham lies in the Harraiya tehsil of Basti district, in the wider Ayodhya region. From Ayodhya it is roughly a 60–70 km road journey (about 1.5–2 hours) by taxi or shared vehicle via the Basti road; from Basti town it is around 30–35 km by road. Basti is the nearest major railway station, and Ayodhya Dham Junction serves the temple town; from either, hire a taxi or take a bus toward Harraiya and continue by local auto to the dham. During the parikrama, special transport and pilgrim camps are arranged along the route.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Chaurasi Kosi Parikrama of Ayodhya?
It is the largest of Ayodhya's pilgrim circumambulations — an outer circuit of about 84 kos (roughly 252 km) walked over some three weeks. It begins and ends at Makhauda Dham and winds through five districts of the wider Ayodhya region, touching many small shrines and tirthas linked to the Ram-katha along the way.
Why does the parikrama start from Makhauda Dham?
Makhauda Dham is revered as an ancient yajna-ground associated with the Putrakameshti Yajna performed for King Dasharatha of Ayodhya so that he might be blessed with sons. Devotees regard it as the spiritual seed-ground of the Ramayana, which makes it the traditional threshold for the grand outer circuit of Rama's birth-land. The very name Makhauda comes from 'makh', meaning a sacred sacrifice.
When does the Chaurasi Kosi Parikrama take place?
It traditionally begins on Chaitra Purnima — the full-moon day of the month of Chaitra, which falls in March or April — and continues for about 21 days before returning to Makhauda Dham. As the date follows the lunar calendar, confirm the exact day locally each year.
Is there an entry fee, and who can join?
There is no entry fee — the parikrama and its bhandaras are entirely free and open to all, regardless of faith. Many visitors join for a single stretch or simply take darshan at Makhauda Dham, while the more committed walk the full loop on foot.
How do I reach Makhauda Dham from Ayodhya?
Makhauda Dham is in Harraiya tehsil of Basti district, about 60–70 km (1.5–2 hours) by road from Ayodhya. Take a taxi or shared vehicle via the Basti road, or reach Basti town by train and continue about 30–35 km by bus and local auto toward Harraiya. During the parikrama, extra transport and pilgrim camps are laid on along the route.
Where can I find vegetarian food during the parikrama?
The whole route is strictly vegetarian. During Chaitra Purnima, free bhandaras and community kitchens serve simple pure-veg meals to pilgrims all along the way. Around Makhauda Dham, the Harraiya bazaar has modest vegetarian dhabas and sweet shops — confirm pure-veg on arrival — and Ayodhya's temple core offers the free Ram Rasoi and abundant pure-veg prasad and snack stalls.