Datun Kund (Dantdhawan Kund) Shrine
Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh · temple
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Dant Dhawan Kund — literally the "tooth-cleansing tank," from the Sanskrit danta (tooth) and dhavana (to cleanse) — is one of the intimate, story-soaked shrines that give Ayodhya its texture as a living Ramayana landscape. Local tradition holds that this was the spot where the young Lord Rama, together with his brothers, would come each morning to clean his teeth with a datun (a fresh neem or babool twig, the age-old Indian toothbrush) and perform his morning ablutions on the bank of the kund. From that tender daily detail the tank takes its two names — Dant Dhawan Kund and, colloquially, Ram Datoun — and its quiet standing among the many small tirthas (crossing-places) that pilgrims string together as they walk the old city.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Kachori-sabzi and aloo-poori carts around Hanuman Garhi — pure-vegetarian pilgrim breakfast staples; pick a busy stall with high turnover and confirm freshness on arrival.
- ✦Dahi-jalebi and peda shops in the New Colony / Hanuman Garhi lanes — a classic Ayodhya sweet stop; entirely vegetarian area, but verify hygiene locally.
- ✦Free Ram Rasoi and community bhandaras near the temple core — simple sattvik meals offered to pilgrims; timings vary, so check locally on the day.
- ✦Pure-veg thali and snack points along Ram Path near the temple core — dependable vegetarian meals; confirm the specific outlet is pure-veg before ordering.
About
Dant Dhawan Kund — literally the "tooth-cleansing tank," from the Sanskrit danta (tooth) and dhavana (to cleanse) — is one of the intimate, story-soaked shrines that give Ayodhya its texture as a living Ramayana landscape.
- Local tradition holds that this was the spot where the young Lord Rama, together with his brothers, would come each morning to clean his teeth with a datun (a fresh neem or babool twig, the age-old Indian toothbrush) and perform his morning ablutions on the bank of the kund.
- From that tender daily detail the tank takes its two names — Dant Dhawan Kund and, colloquially, Ram Datoun — and its quiet standing among the many small tirthas (crossing-places) that pilgrims string together as they walk the old city.
- The shrine sits on Ahirana Marg, only a short stroll from the towering steps of Hanuman Garhi, which makes it an easy and rewarding pause on a temple-to-temple morning circuit through Ayodhya's core.
- Unlike the grand mandirs nearby, this is a modest place — a masonry tank and an unassuming shrine rather than a soaring shikhara — and its charm lies precisely in that modesty.
- Devotees stop to offer a brief prayer, touch or sprinkle the water, and reflect on the gentle image the site preserves: not Rama the king or the cosmic avatar, but Rama the child of Ayodhya at his simplest morning routine.
- For pilgrims steeped in the Ramayana, these small everyday sites make the epic feel close and human, and Dant Dhawan Kund rewards the traveller willing to slow down and seek out the lesser-known corners of the holy city.
- Ayodhya is a strictly vegetarian and profoundly devotional town, and the lanes around Hanuman Garhi and Dant Dhawan Kund brim with pure-vegetarian pilgrim food.
- Within a few minutes' walk you will find carts and tiny shops turning out hot kachori-sabzi, aloo-poori, and the town's beloved dahi-jalebi, while nearby halwais stack trays of peda and khurchan.
- Many pilgrims also time their circuit around the free Ram Rasoi and community bhandaras that serve simple sattvik meals to all comers.
- As always in a busy tirtha town, confirm cleanliness and freshness on arrival and favour busy stalls with high turnover.
- Being a small, open community shrine, Dant Dhawan Kund charges no entry fee and needs no ticket — a few reverent minutes are enough to absorb its atmosphere before you continue to Hanuman Garhi, Kanak Bhawan, or the Ram Janmabhoomi temple.
- Remove your shoes near the shrine, dress modestly, keep your voice low, and avoid stepping into or dropping litter near the sacred water.
- Early morning is loveliest, both for the cooler air and for the fitting resonance of visiting a "morning-ablution" tirtha at the very hour the tradition commemorates.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Dant Dhawan Kund, Ahirana Marg, near Hanuman Garhi Mandir, New Colony, Ayodhya, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, 224123
How to Reach: On Ahirana Marg in New Colony, a short walk from Hanuman Garhi in Ayodhya's temple core. From Hanuman Garhi it is a 5–7 minute walk; from Ayodhya Dham Junction railway station an auto-rickshaw costs about ₹40–70 (10–15 minutes). Best folded into an on-foot morning circuit of the old city's temples, as the narrow lanes are easiest to explore on foot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dant Dhawan Kund in Ayodhya and why is it significant?
Dant Dhawan Kund — also called Ram Datoun — is a small sacred tank-shrine where tradition holds that Lord Rama, with his brothers, came each morning to clean his teeth with a datun (a neem or babool twig) and perform his ablutions. Its name means 'tooth-cleansing tank.' Its significance lies in preserving a tender, human glimpse of Rama's daily life, making it a cherished stop on Ayodhya's Ramayana pilgrimage trail.
Where is Dant Dhawan Kund located and how do I reach it?
It is on Ahirana Marg in New Colony, a short walk from Hanuman Garhi in Ayodhya's temple core. From Hanuman Garhi it is a 5–7 minute walk; from Ayodhya Dham Junction railway station an auto-rickshaw costs about ₹40–70 and takes 10–15 minutes. The narrow lanes are easiest to explore on foot, so it fits naturally into an on-foot morning temple circuit.
Is there an entry fee for Dant Dhawan Kund?
No. As a small, open community shrine it charges no entry fee and needs no ticket. A few reverent minutes are enough to absorb its atmosphere before continuing to nearby sites like Hanuman Garhi, Kanak Bhawan, or the Ram Janmabhoomi temple.
What are the timings and the best time to visit?
It is generally accessible through daylight hours, roughly 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM, though as an open shrine timings are approximate — confirm locally. Early morning is loveliest for the cooler air and for the fitting resonance of visiting a 'morning-ablution' tirtha at the very hour the tradition commemorates. October to March is the most comfortable season.
What should I keep in mind when visiting the shrine?
Remove your shoes near the shrine, dress modestly, keep your voice low, and treat the sacred water respectfully — do not step into it or drop litter nearby. It is a modest place, more contemplative pause than grand monument, so approach it as pilgrims do: quietly and reverently. Pair it with Hanuman Garhi, just a few minutes away.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near Dant Dhawan Kund?
The whole area is pure-vegetarian. Around Hanuman Garhi you will find carts serving hot kachori-sabzi and aloo-poori, and nearby shops famed for dahi-jalebi, peda and khurchan. Many pilgrims also share a simple sattvik meal at the free Ram Rasoi or community bhandaras near the temple core. Favour busy stalls with high turnover and confirm freshness on arrival.
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