Lata Mangeshkar Chowk
Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh · monument
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Lata Mangeshkar Chowk is Ayodhya's signature modern landmark — a landscaped traffic circle set close to Naya Ghat and the Saryu riverfront, crowned by a monumental bronze veena that has quickly become the most photographed contemporary sight in the holy city. Dedicated in 2022 as a tribute to the legendary playback singer Lata Mangeshkar (1929–2022), the chowk pairs a serene civic setting with a sculpture of genuine scale and craft: the gleaming veena — the classical Indian stringed instrument associated with Saraswati, goddess of music and learning — stretches roughly 40 feet in length and weighs around 14 tonnes, executed by the celebrated sculptor Ram V. Sutar and his atelier. Rising above a lotus-motif base amid manicured lawns, the instrument reads as a graceful hymn in metal, an homage to the voice that shaped Indian devotional and film music for generations.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Naya Ghat / Ram Path pure-veg stalls (walkable) – kachori-sabzi, dahi-jalebi, samosas and hot chai; the whole holy-city core is strictly vegetarian, but confirm freshness and pick busy, high-turnover counters.
- ✦Ayodhya peda and khurchan sweet shops (Ram Path area) – the city's signature milk sweets, ideal as prasad or a snack; buy from well-frequented shops.
- ✦Riverfront thali and tiffin eateries around Naya Ghat – simple pure-veg thalis and South Indian tiffin; menus are entirely vegetarian, though it is wise to confirm on arrival.
- ✦Community bhandaras / Ram Rasoi-style free pure-veg meals near the temple precinct – offered to pilgrims; timings and availability vary, so ask locally.
About
Lata Mangeshkar Chowk is Ayodhya's signature modern landmark — a landscaped traffic circle set close to Naya Ghat and the Saryu riverfront, crowned by a monumental bronze veena that has quickly become the most photographed contemporary sight in the holy city.
- Dedicated in 2022 as a tribute to the legendary playback singer Lata Mangeshkar (1929–2022), the chowk pairs a serene civic setting with a sculpture of genuine scale and craft: the gleaming veena — the classical Indian stringed instrument associated with Saraswati, goddess of music and learning — stretches roughly 40 feet in length and weighs around 14 tonnes, executed by the celebrated sculptor Ram V. Sutar and his atelier.
- Rising above a lotus-motif base amid manicured lawns, the instrument reads as a graceful hymn in metal, an homage to the voice that shaped Indian devotional and film music for generations.
- The chowk sits on the pilgrim spine that links the old riverside ghats with the temple precinct, so most visitors encounter it naturally on the way to or from a Saryu darshan or an evening aarti.
- It is an open, public space rather than a ticketed monument — there are no gates and no admission fee.
- By day the polished bronze catches the sun and frames easy photographs against the wide Ayodhya sky; after dusk the veena is bathed in warm illumination, and the surrounding fountains and flowerbeds draw families, pilgrims and photographers for an unhurried stroll.
- It is a favourite backdrop for that one keepsake picture of a modern Ayodhya visit.
- As a purely aesthetic and cultural stop, the chowk asks little more than a few reflective minutes, but it rewards those who linger — the sculpture's musical symbolism sits comfortably alongside the devotional mood of the city, celebrating art, sound and reverence in one image.
- For vegetarian travellers, the setting could not be simpler: Ayodhya is a strictly vegetarian, alcohol-free holy city, and the lanes around Naya Ghat and the adjoining Ram Path are lined with pure-veg options — kachori-sabzi, dahi-jalebi, samosas and local milk sweets such as peda and khurchan — so a photo pause here folds effortlessly into a wider riverside and temple walk.
- Combine it with the Saryu ghats at sunset for a memorable, entirely serene end to the day.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Near Naya Ghat, on the road toward the Saryu riverfront, Ayodhya Dham, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, 224123
How to Reach: Near Naya Ghat, on the approach to the Saryu riverfront in Ayodhya Dham. From Ayodhya Dham Junction railway station it is a short e-rickshaw or auto ride (roughly ₹30–60, 10–15 minutes). It sits on the main pilgrim route toward the ghats and temple precinct, so it is easily reached on foot from the riverfront or combined with a Ram Path walk. Shared e-rickshaws are the standard local transport.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lata Mangeshkar Chowk in Ayodhya?
It is Ayodhya's landmark modern roundabout near Naya Ghat and the Saryu riverfront, crowned by a large bronze veena (a classical Indian stringed instrument) dedicated in 2022 as a tribute to the legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar. Set among lawns, fountains and lotus motifs, it is the city's most photographed contemporary sight.
How big is the veena sculpture at Lata Mangeshkar Chowk?
The bronze veena is reported to be around 40 feet long and to weigh roughly 14 tonnes, created by the renowned sculptor Ram V. Sutar and his studio. It rises above a lotus-motif base at the centre of the roundabout. Exact figures are cited variously, so treat them as approximate.
Is there an entry fee for Lata Mangeshkar Chowk?
No. It is an open, public roundabout with no gates and no admission ticket — you can walk up and enjoy the sculpture and gardens freely at any time. Evenings, when the veena is illuminated, are the most atmospheric.
How do I reach Lata Mangeshkar Chowk?
It sits near Naya Ghat on the approach to the Saryu riverfront in Ayodhya Dham. From Ayodhya Dham Junction railway station it is a short e-rickshaw or auto ride (about ₹30–60, 10–15 minutes), and it lies on the main pilgrim route toward the ghats and temple precinct, so it is easily combined with a riverfront or Ram Path walk on foot.
When is the best time to visit?
Come in the evening, when the veena is lit and the golden-hour light makes for the best photographs, ideally paired with a sunset visit to the Saryu ghats. The cooler months from October to March are the most comfortable overall. Allow about 20–30 minutes for a relaxed photo stop and stroll.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near Lata Mangeshkar Chowk?
Ayodhya is a strictly vegetarian, alcohol-free holy city, so everything nearby is pure-veg. The lanes around Naya Ghat and Ram Path offer kachori-sabzi, dahi-jalebi, samosas and local milk sweets like peda and khurchan, plus simple thali and tiffin eateries. Choose busy, high-turnover counters and confirm freshness on arrival.
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