Kshireshwarnath Mahadev Temple
Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh · temple
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Kshireshwarnath Mahadev Temple is one of Ayodhya's most venerable Shaiva sanctums, a modest but deeply loved Shiva shrine standing along Ram Path (Rampath Marg) in the old Ram Kot quarter, only a short walk from the Ram Janmabhoomi temple. Its name unfolds its own legend: kshir means milk, and the presiding Shivalinga is called Kshireshwarnath — the "Lord of the Milk-Offering." Local tradition holds the shrine to be extraordinarily old, woven into the very fabric of the Ramayana city, and generations of Ayodhya's residents count it among the first Shiva temples a pilgrim should honour before or after darshan at the great Ram Mandir.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Ram Ki Rasoi (near Ashok Singhal Bhawan / Ram Path) – free sattvik bhandara-style meals for pilgrims; entirely pure-vegetarian. Timings vary, so confirm on arrival.
- ✦Kachori-sabzi and jalebi stalls along Ram Path – classic pure-veg pilgrim fare; the whole area is vegetarian, but check freshness at busy hours.
- ✦Peda and khurchan sweet shops near Hanuman Garhi – Ayodhya's traditional pure-veg mithai; a short walk from the temple.
- ✦Simple pure-veg thali bhojanalayas around the Ram Mandir precinct – sattvik meals; area-level suggestion, confirm the specific outlet on arrival.
About
Kshireshwarnath Mahadev Temple is one of Ayodhya's most venerable Shaiva sanctums, a modest but deeply loved Shiva shrine standing along Ram Path (Rampath Marg) in the old Ram Kot quarter, only a short walk from the Ram Janmabhoomi temple.
- Its name unfolds its own legend: kshir means milk, and the presiding Shivalinga is called Kshireshwarnath — the "Lord of the Milk-Offering." Local tradition holds the shrine to be extraordinarily old, woven into the very fabric of the Ramayana city, and generations of Ayodhya's residents count it among the first Shiva temples a pilgrim should honour before or after darshan at the great Ram Mandir.
- The sthala-purana most often told here connects the temple to a grand Ksheeranna abhishek — a ceremonial bathing of the Shivalinga with kheer, the sacred pudding of milk and rice.
- So abundant was that offering, the tradition says, that it pooled into a tank remembered as Kshir Sagar, the "ocean of milk," and the settlement that grew around it took the name Khirauniya.
- The Skanda Purana is cited by devotees for the sanctity of this Kshir Sagar.
- Alongside this account, many pilgrims also cherish the belief that Sita herself offered worship to Shiva at this ancient spot, making it a shrine that gathers the whole devotional memory of Ayodhya into one quiet sanctum.
- Whichever thread of tradition a visitor holds dear, the temple is revered as a place where Ayodhya's Shaiva and Vaishnava streams meet.
- The temple is small and unadorned — a single sanctum sheltering the Shivalinga, garlanded with bilva leaves, flowers and fresh water by a steady flow of local devotees.
- It comes most alive during Shravan (Sawan, July–August), when queues of worshippers arrive at dawn to pour Gangajal and perform Rudrabhishek, and on Mahashivratri, when the lanes fill with bells, conches and the chant of "Har Har Mahadev." Mondays draw the faithful all year round.
- For vegetarian travellers, Ayodhya could not be simpler: the entire holy city is pure-vegetarian and alcohol-free, so everything around the temple is safe to eat.
- Along Ram Path you will find kachori-sabzi and jalebi stalls, peda and khurchan sweet shops, and simple thali bhojanalayas serving sattvik meals to pilgrims.
- The free Ram Ki Rasoi and community bhandaras nearby offer langar-style vegetarian food in the true spirit of Ayodhya's hospitality.
- A visit here pairs naturally with Hanuman Garhi, Kanak Bhawan and the Ram Mandir, all within easy walking distance.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Ram Path (Rampath Marg), near Shree Ram Hospital, Jalvanpura, Ram Kot, Ayodhya, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, 224123
How to Reach: On Ram Path (Rampath Marg), near Shree Ram Hospital in the Ram Kot core, roughly 300 m on foot from the Ram Mandir and easily combined with Hanuman Garhi and Kanak Bhawan. From Ayodhya Dham railway station it is about 2 km — an auto-rickshaw or e-rickshaw costs around ₹30–60. From Ayodhya Airport (Maharishi Valmiki International) it is about 12–15 km by taxi. The temple lanes are best explored on foot or by cycle/e-rickshaw.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the timings of Kshireshwarnath Mahadev Temple in Ayodhya?
The temple is generally open from about 5:00 AM to 12:00 noon and again from about 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM daily, with extended darshan hours through the month of Sawan (July–August). Timings shift around festivals and heavy pilgrim days, so it is best to confirm locally on the day of your visit.
Is there an entry fee for Kshireshwarnath Mahadev Temple?
No, entry is free. Like most Ayodhya temples, this ancient Shiva shrine is open to all devotees and visitors with no admission ticket. You may make a voluntary offering if you wish, but nothing is required.
Why is the temple called Kshireshwarnath?
The name means the "Lord of the Milk-Offering" (kshir = milk). Tradition remembers a great Ksheeranna abhishek — bathing the Shivalinga with kheer, the pudding of milk and rice — so abundant that it is said to have pooled into a tank named Kshir Sagar, the "ocean of milk," giving the surrounding Khirauniya locality its name. Many pilgrims also cherish the belief that Sita worshipped Shiva at this very spot.
How do I reach Kshireshwarnath Mahadev Temple?
It stands on Ram Path (Rampath Marg) near Shree Ram Hospital, only about 300 m on foot from the Ram Mandir, so it is easiest to walk there as part of a temple circuit with Hanuman Garhi and Kanak Bhawan. From Ayodhya Dham railway station it is roughly 2 km (an auto or e-rickshaw is ₹30–60), and from Ayodhya Airport about 12–15 km by taxi.
When is the best time to visit?
The month of Sawan (Shravan, July–August) is the most vibrant, when devotees pour Gangajal and perform Rudrabhishek from dawn; Mahashivratri (February/March) is equally fervent, and Mondays draw worshippers all year. For a calm darshan, arrive early in the morning. Please remove your shoes before entering, dress modestly, and observe quietly during the puja.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near the temple?
All of Ayodhya is pure-vegetarian and alcohol-free, so everything around the temple is safe to eat. Ram Path has kachori-sabzi and jalebi stalls and traditional peda and khurchan sweet shops, the free Ram Ki Rasoi and community bhandaras nearby serve sattvik meals to pilgrims, and simple pure-veg thali bhojanalayas cluster around the Ram Mandir precinct. Confirm the specific outlet and freshness on arrival.
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