Janki Mahal
Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh · temple
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Shri Janki Mahal is one of Ayodhya's most quietly beloved devotional houses — at once a temple dedicated to Sita and Ram and a long-established dharamshala that has sheltered pilgrims for generations. The name honours Janki, the patronymic of Goddess Sita as the daughter of King Janaka of Mithila, and the sanctuary is imagined as a mahal (palace) for the divine couple. Local tradition holds that Sita and Ram lingered in this quarter of the sacred city in the joyful days that followed their wedding, and the temple keeps that tender, homelike spirit alive: its presiding murtis of Sita and Ram are dressed and adorned with loving care, and the daily rhythm of chanting, bhajan, and lamp-offering fills the courtyard from dawn to dusk.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Janki Mahal's own bhojanalaya — simple pure-veg sattvic thali cooked without onion or garlic; primarily for resident pilgrims, confirm availability on arrival.
- ✦Ram Rasoi / community bhandaras near the Ram Janmabhoomi complex — free pure-veg pilgrim meals served through the day; timings vary, ask locally.
- ✦Parikrama Marg stalls — pure-veg kachori-sabzi, dahi-jalebi and hot milk pedas from the lane vendors; entirely vegetarian area, choose a busy fresh counter.
- ✦Sweet shops around Hanuman Garhi (a short walk) — traditional pedas and laddoo prasad; pure-veg by custom, confirm freshness on arrival.
About
Shri Janki Mahal is one of Ayodhya's most quietly beloved devotional houses — at once a temple dedicated to Sita and Ram and a long-established dharamshala that has sheltered pilgrims for generations.
- The name honours Janki, the patronymic of Goddess Sita as the daughter of King Janaka of Mithila, and the sanctuary is imagined as a mahal (palace) for the divine couple.
- Local tradition holds that Sita and Ram lingered in this quarter of the sacred city in the joyful days that followed their wedding, and the temple keeps that tender, homelike spirit alive: its presiding murtis of Sita and Ram are dressed and adorned with loving care, and the daily rhythm of chanting, bhajan, and lamp-offering fills the courtyard from dawn to dusk.
- Architecturally the mahal is a delight of Rajasthani-influenced craftsmanship, endowed and maintained by a Marwari charitable trust.
- Its exterior carries brightly painted walls and decorated pillars, while an expansive inner courtyard opens to the sky — a generous, colour-soaked space that stays serene even when the surrounding Parikrama Marg is busy with pilgrims.
- Ornamental arches, frescoed panels, and a broad assembly hall give the complex the air of a festive haveli turned house of worship, and the calm here is a gentle counterpoint to the crowds gathering for darshan at the great temples nearby.
- The mahal sits within easy reach of Ayodhya's holiest sites — a short walk or rickshaw ride from Kanak Bhawan, Hanuman Garhi, and the Ram Janmabhoomi temple — which makes it a natural resting point on a day of temple-hopping and parikrama.
- Devotees come simply to sit in the shaded courtyard, listen to the kirtan, and take a moment of stillness between darshans.
- For vegetarian travellers Ayodhya is a wholly pure-vegetarian, alcohol-free holy city, and Janki Mahal reflects that discipline completely: its on-site bhojanalaya serves simple sattvic thali meals cooked without onion and garlic, in keeping with temple-kitchen tradition.
- Beyond the gates, the Parikrama Marg lanes brim with pure-veg kachori-sabzi, dahi-jalebi, warm milk pedas, and the famed free Ram Rasoi and bhandaras that feed pilgrims through the day — a food culture as devotional as the temples themselves.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Shri Janki Mahal Trust, Parikrama Marg, near Vasudev Ghat, Ayodhya, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, 224123
How to Reach: On Parikrama Marg near Vasudev Ghat, about 1 km from the Ram Janmabhoomi temple and roughly 700 m from the Ayodhya bus stand. From Ayodhya Dham Junction railway station it is a 5-10 minute auto-rickshaw ride (about ₹40-60); e-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws ply the parikrama lanes. Much of the temple core is walkable, so combine it on foot with Kanak Bhawan and Hanuman Garhi.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Janki Mahal in Ayodhya?
Janki Mahal (Shri Janki Mahal Trust) is a Sita-Ram temple and pilgrim dharamshala on Parikrama Marg in Ayodhya. 'Janki' is a name of Goddess Sita as the daughter of King Janaka, and the temple is imagined as a palace for the divine couple. Its brightly painted halls, decorated pillars and large open courtyard make it a calm, welcoming place for darshan and rest.
Is there an entry fee for Janki Mahal?
No, there is no entry fee to visit the temple and offer darshan — it is open to all pilgrims and visitors free of charge. It also runs a dharamshala with paid rooms for pilgrim stays, but simply visiting the temple and sitting in the courtyard costs nothing.
What are the timings of Janki Mahal temple?
The temple is generally open for darshan from early morning to evening, reported to be roughly 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM with a midday break, though aarti and darshan times vary. As hours can change with the season and festivals, it is best to confirm locally on arrival.
How do I reach Janki Mahal in Ayodhya?
It stands on Parikrama Marg near Vasudev Ghat, about 1 km from the Ram Janmabhoomi temple and around 700 m from the Ayodhya bus stand. From Ayodhya Dham Junction railway station an auto-rickshaw takes 5-10 minutes (about ₹40-60), and e-rickshaws serve the parikrama lanes. Much of the temple core is easily walkable.
Can I stay at Janki Mahal, and is vegetarian food available?
Yes. Janki Mahal is a well-known pilgrim dharamshala offering two- and three-bedded rooms (AC and non-AC), and it has an on-site bhojanalaya serving simple pure-vegetarian meals cooked without onion or garlic. Ayodhya is an entirely vegetarian, alcohol-free holy city, so pure-veg food is the norm everywhere. Room availability and meal timings vary, so confirm directly on arrival.
What is special about Janki Mahal for pilgrims?
Its charm lies in its serene, homelike devotional atmosphere — a spacious frescoed courtyard, day-long chanting and bhajan, and lovingly adorned murtis of Sita and Ram. Tradition holds that the divine couple lingered in this quarter after their wedding, giving the mahal a tender, festive spirit. Its location on Parikrama Marg, close to Kanak Bhawan, Hanuman Garhi and the Ram Janmabhoomi temple, makes it a peaceful resting point on a day of temple-hopping.
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