
Ratnapuri Shwetambar Jain Tirth (Dinkarpur)
Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh · temple
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Ratnapuri is one of the great janma-kalyanak bhumis of the Jain tradition — the hallowed ground honoured as the birthplace of Dharmanath, the fifteenth Tirthankara of the current age. Set at Dinkarpur near Ronahi, roughly 24 km west of Ayodhya along the Ayodhya–Lucknow highway in Sohawal tehsil, the site has drawn Jain pilgrims for centuries as a place of quiet, luminous devotion. This record covers the Shwetambar-tradition tirth here, cared for by the Shri Jain Shwetambar Ratnapuri Teerth Pedhi; a Digambar pedhi maintains its own complex nearby, and the two traditions have long coexisted peacefully at this shared holy town.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦The tirth's own Jain dharamshala bhojanshala – strictly pure-vegetarian, sattvik meals (no onion or garlic) for pilgrims when the kitchen is running; fixed serving times, confirm on arrival.
- ✦Ronahi highway vegetarian dhabas (Ayodhya–Lucknow road) – a few serve pure-veg thali, paratha and chai; the highway strip is mixed, so confirm the outlet is pure-veg before ordering.
- ✦Sohawal / Masaudha bazaar snack stalls – area-level kachori-sabzi, samosa and jalebi; verify freshness and pure-veg status locally.
- ✦Ayodhya's pure-veg eateries (about 40–60 minutes east) – dependable vegetarian thalis, chaat and mithai near Ram ki Paidi if you prefer to eat in the temple town.
About
Ratnapuri is one of the great janma-kalyanak bhumis of the Jain tradition — the hallowed ground honoured as the birthplace of Dharmanath, the fifteenth Tirthankara of the current age.
- Set at Dinkarpur near Ronahi, roughly 24 km west of Ayodhya along the Ayodhya–Lucknow highway in Sohawal tehsil, the site has drawn Jain pilgrims for centuries as a place of quiet, luminous devotion.
- This record covers the Shwetambar-tradition tirth here, cared for by the Shri Jain Shwetambar Ratnapuri Teerth Pedhi; a Digambar pedhi maintains its own complex nearby, and the two traditions have long coexisted peacefully at this shared holy town.
- In Jain sacred memory, Ratnapuri (sometimes written Ratnavati) is revered as the ground where several of Dharmanath's auspicious kalyanaks unfolded — his descent into the womb, his birth, his renunciation, and his attainment of kevala-jnana (omniscience).
- Dharmanath is depicted with a golden complexion and the vajra (thunderbolt) as his emblem, and is traditionally said to have been born to King Bhanu and Queen Suvrata.
- Pilgrims come to offer reverence at the charan (footprint) shrines and the mula-nayak image, circumambulating in silence and reciting the Namokar Mantra.
- The very name Ratnapuri — the "city of jewels" — evokes the tradition that this soil was blessed at the Tirthankara's birth.
- The Shwetambar temple is a calm marble sanctuary in the classic north-Indian Jain idiom: a shikhara rising over the sanctum, a pillared rang-mandap, and finely worked images adorned by resident pujaris in the Shwetambar manner.
- A dharamshala on the grounds offers simple, clean lodging to arriving pilgrims, and the whole compound has the unhurried, meditative air of a rural tirth rather than a crowded urban temple — birdsong, open fields, and the soft sound of bells.
- For all visitors, regardless of faith, a few respectful observances apply: remove leather items and shoes before entering, dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, maintain silence near the sanctum, and ask before photographing images.
- For vegetarian travellers this is welcoming ground — Jain tirth kitchens are strictly pure-vegetarian and sattvik, prepared without onion or garlic, and the dharamshala bhojanshala (when running) serves simple wholesome meals to pilgrims.
- Ratnapuri pairs naturally with a wider Ayodhya-region pilgrimage circuit, offering a tranquil, contemplative counterpoint to the busier temple town to the east.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Dinkarpur, near Ronahi on the Ayodhya–Lucknow highway, Sohawal tehsil, Ayodhya district (about 24 km west of Ayodhya), Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, 224120
How to Reach: At Dinkarpur near Ronahi on the Ayodhya–Lucknow highway (NH27 corridor), about 24 km west of Ayodhya in Sohawal tehsil. From Ayodhya, a taxi or auto takes roughly 40–60 minutes via the highway. The nearest railheads are Ayodhya Dham and Faizabad junctions; Ronahi also has a small station. Shared jeeps and buses running the Ayodhya–Lucknow road can drop you near the Ratnapuri turn-off — ask for the Jain tirth. Ayodhya (Maharishi Valmiki) airport is the closest air link.
More places in Ayodhya
- Ram Janmabhoomi Temple (Ram Mandir)The grand Nagara-style temple of pink Bansi Paharpur sandstone enshrining Ram Lala — consecrated in January 2024 and the spiritual heart of every Ayodhya pilgrimage.
- Hanuman GarhiAyodhya's beloved hilltop fort-temple of Hanuman, reached by 76 steps — traditionally the first darshan every pilgrim takes before visiting any other shrine in the holy city.
- Kanak BhawanThe 'golden palace' temple of Sita-Ram — a jewel-crowned darshan believed to be the private residence gifted to Sita by Queen Kaikeyi, and one of Ayodhya's most beloved shrines.
- Ram ki PaidiAyodhya's grand tiered cascade of stone ghats on the Sarayu — the ceremonial riverfront and glowing stage for the nightly aarti and the world-famous Deepotsav lamps.
- Nageshwarnath TempleAyodhya's ancient Shiva temple — linked in legend to Kush, son of Rama — and the ceremonial heart of the city's Mahashivratri celebrations beside Ram Ki Paidi.
- Saryu Aarti at Ram ki PaidiAyodhya's soul-stirring dusk river worship on the Sarayu's stepped ghats — pujaris circling towering brass lamps to conch and chant as rows of diyas drift downstream.
- Dashrath Mahal (Bada Asthan)Revered as King Dashrath's royal residence and Ram's childhood home, this centrally located Ramanandi temple — known as Bada Asthan — hums with year-round kirtan.
- Sita ki RasoiA revered symbolic shrine marking the kitchen of Devi Sita — honouring her as Annapurna, the goddess of nourishment, with model utensils on display and free meals offered in her spirit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Ratnapuri important in Jainism?
Ratnapuri is revered as the kalyanak bhumi of Dharmanath, the fifteenth Tirthankara — the sacred ground honoured as his birthplace, where several of his auspicious life-events (kalyanaks) are traditionally said to have taken place. It has been a Jain pilgrimage site for centuries and is home to both Shwetambar and Digambar temple complexes.
Where exactly is the Ratnapuri Shwetambar Jain tirth located?
It stands at Dinkarpur near Ronahi, on the Ayodhya–Lucknow highway in Sohawal tehsil of Ayodhya district, about 24 km west of Ayodhya. The Shwetambar tirth is managed by the Shri Jain Shwetambar Ratnapuri Teerth Pedhi, with a separate Digambar complex nearby.
Is there an entry fee, and what are the timings?
There is no entry fee — like most Jain tirths, darshan is free. The temple is reported to open roughly from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily with a midday break, but darshan and aarti timings vary by season, so it is best to confirm locally with the pedhi before your visit.
How do I reach Ratnapuri from Ayodhya?
From Ayodhya it is about 40–60 minutes by taxi or auto along the Ayodhya–Lucknow highway. The nearest railheads are the Ayodhya Dham and Faizabad junctions, with a small station at Ronahi, and Ayodhya's Maharishi Valmiki airport is the closest air link. Buses and shared jeeps on the Ayodhya–Lucknow road can drop you near the Ratnapuri turn-off.
Can I stay overnight, and is vegetarian food available?
Yes — a dharamshala on the tirth grounds offers simple, clean lodging for pilgrims, and its bhojanshala serves strictly pure-vegetarian, sattvik meals (typically without onion or garlic) when running. Serving times are fixed, so confirm on arrival. Pure-veg dhabas along the Ronahi highway are an alternative, though the strip is mixed, so check that an outlet is pure-veg before ordering.
What should visitors keep in mind at the temple?
Remove shoes and all leather items before entering, dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, and keep silence near the sanctum. Photography of the images may be restricted, so ask a pujari first. The compound has a calm, rural, meditative atmosphere, and quiet, respectful observation of the worship is welcomed for visitors of every faith.