Sri Mani Ram Das Chhawni (Chhoti Chhawni)
Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh · temple
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Sri Mani Ram Das Chhawni — known affectionately across Ayodhya as Chhoti Chhawni — is among the largest and most active Ramanandi (Bairagi) maths in the holy city, and one of its principal spiritual landmarks. The word chhawni means "encampment," a term the ascetic Bairagi orders of the Ram tradition traditionally used for their fortified monastic settlements; the prefix chhoti ("smaller") distinguishes it from Ayodhya's other great Bairagi encampment. Founded and sustained in the devotional lineage of the saint Mani Ram Das, the math has grown over generations into a vast walled complex of shrines, courtyards, pilgrim halls and sadhu quarters set close to Naya Ghat and the celebrated riverside steps of Ram ki Paidi.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦The math's own free bhandara (community kitchen) — simple, sanctified pure-veg prasad meals offered to pilgrims and sadhus; timings vary, ask at the office on arrival.
- ✦Pure-veg thali dhabas around Naya Ghat and Ram ki Paidi — the whole area is strictly vegetarian; look for busy stalls serving kachori-sabzi, poori-aloo and thalis, and confirm freshness on arrival.
- ✦Sweet shops near Kanak Bhawan and Ramkot — dependable for Ayodhya peda, khurchan and rabri as prasad; entirely vegetarian pilgrim neighbourhood.
- ✦Lassi and kachori stalls on the Hanumangarhi approach — a short e-rickshaw ride; pure-veg snacks favoured by pilgrims, best sampled fresh in the morning.
About
Sri Mani Ram Das Chhawni — known affectionately across Ayodhya as Chhoti Chhawni — is among the largest and most active Ramanandi (Bairagi) maths in the holy city, and one of its principal spiritual landmarks.
- The word chhawni means "encampment," a term the ascetic Bairagi orders of the Ram tradition traditionally used for their fortified monastic settlements; the prefix chhoti ("smaller") distinguishes it from Ayodhya's other great Bairagi encampment.
- Founded and sustained in the devotional lineage of the saint Mani Ram Das, the math has grown over generations into a vast walled complex of shrines, courtyards, pilgrim halls and sadhu quarters set close to Naya Ghat and the celebrated riverside steps of Ram ki Paidi.
- At its heart the Chhawni is a seat of Ram bhakti in the Ramanandi Vaishnava tradition, whose devotion centres on Bhagwan Ram, Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman.
- Beautifully adorned sanctums house the presiding deities, and the daily rhythm of aarti, kirtan and the recitation of the Ramcharitmanas fills the halls with the sound of bells, cymbals and the chant of "Siyavar Ramchandra ki jai." The math is renowned as a living centre of Ramkatha — discourses on the Ramayana delivered by resident sant-mahatmas — and as a residence for several hundred sadhus who pursue study, worship and seva within its precincts.
- Later additions such as the Ramayan Bhavan and a Char Dham shrine complex have made the campus a devotional destination in its own right.
- A defining feature of the Chhawni is its tradition of annadan — the free bhandara (community kitchen) that offers simple, sanctified vegetarian meals to sadhus, pilgrims and the poor, in keeping with the age-old dharma of feeding all who arrive.
- For visitors this is a window into the sattvic food culture of Ayodhya, a strictly vegetarian and alcohol-free pilgrimage town: everything served here is pure-veg prasad, cooked and offered in a spirit of devotion.
- For all travellers, regardless of faith, the Chhawni welcomes respectful observation of its worship.
- Remove footwear before entering the shrine areas, dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, keep phones silent during aarti and discourses, and ask before photographing sadhus or sanctums.
- Combined with a short walk to Ram ki Paidi at dusk, a quiet visit here offers one of the most authentic encounters with Ayodhya's continuous, centuries-old life of Ram devotion.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Chhoti Chhawni, near Naya Ghat and Ram ki Paidi, Ayodhya, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, 224123
How to Reach: Located at Chhoti Chhawni near Naya Ghat, a short distance from Ram ki Paidi in central Ayodhya. From Ayodhya Dham Junction railway station it is about 2 km — an auto-rickshaw costs roughly ₹40–70 (10 minutes). From the Naya Ghat bus stand it is a 5–10 minute walk or a short e-rickshaw hop. E-rickshaws and shared autos ply the temple circuit and are the easiest way around the old pilgrimage core; confirm fares before boarding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sri Mani Ram Das Chhawni (Chhoti Chhawni) in Ayodhya?
It is one of Ayodhya's largest and most active Ramanandi (Bairagi) maths — a walled monastic complex of Ram temples, pilgrim halls and sadhu quarters near Naya Ghat and Ram ki Paidi. Sustained in the lineage of the saint Mani Ram Das, it is a centuries-old seat of Ram devotion, Ramkatha discourses and free community meals, and home to several hundred resident sadhus.
What are the timings of Chhoti Chhawni and is there an entry fee?
Entry is free, as at Ayodhya's temples generally. The complex is reported to open roughly from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily, with morning and evening aarti and periodic Ramkatha discourses. Exact darshan and discourse times shift with the day and festival calendar, so it is best to confirm locally when you arrive.
How do I reach Mani Ram Das Chhawni in Ayodhya?
It sits at Chhoti Chhawni near Naya Ghat, close to Ram ki Paidi in the old pilgrimage core. From Ayodhya Dham Junction railway station it is about 2 km — an auto-rickshaw costs around ₹40–70 and takes 10 minutes. From the Naya Ghat bus stand it is a 5–10 minute walk. E-rickshaws and shared autos serve the temple circuit; agree the fare before boarding.
What can I see and experience at the Chhawni?
You can take darshan of the presiding Ram-parivar deities, attend aarti and kirtan, and, if timed right, sit in on a Ramkatha discourse by resident sant-mahatmas. The campus includes later additions such as the Ramayan Bhavan and a Char Dham shrine complex. A hallmark is its free bhandara offering simple pure-veg prasad meals in the spirit of annadan (feeding all who come).
Is the food at Chhoti Chhawni vegetarian?
Yes — entirely. Ayodhya is a strictly vegetarian and alcohol-free pilgrimage town, and the Chhawni's bhandara serves only sattvic, pure-veg prasad. The surrounding Naya Ghat and Ram ki Paidi lanes are also fully vegetarian, with kachori-sabzi, thalis and Ayodhya sweets such as peda and khurchan available at pilgrim stalls.
What etiquette should visitors follow at the math?
Everyone is welcome to observe worship respectfully. Remove footwear before entering shrine areas, dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, keep phones silent during aarti and discourses, and always ask before photographing sadhus or the sanctums. A calm, unhurried visit — ideally paired with a dusk walk to nearby Ram ki Paidi — is the most rewarding way to experience it.
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