Vibhishan Kund (Vibhishan Mandir)
Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh · temple
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Vibhishan Kund is one of Ayodhya's gentler, less-trodden sacred sites — a stone-lined tank (kund) with an adjoining shrine set in the Tulsi Nagar locality, a short distance from the celebrated riverside steps of Ram Ki Paidi. It is dedicated to Vibhishan, the righteous younger brother of Ravana, who in the Ramayana turns away from injustice to align himself with dharma and Lord Rama, and is afterwards consecrated as the devotee-king of Lanka. In the devotional geography of Ayodhya, the kund belongs to the tender chapter of the epic that follows the war: Rama's homecoming and the joyous coronation (rajya-abhishek), when companions who had stood beside him gathered in the city to share in the celebration.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Ram Ki Paidi food stalls (about 1 km) - pure-vegetarian kachori-sabzi, hot jalebi and samosas along the ghat lanes; entirely veg area, best sampled fresh in the morning.
- ✦Tulsi Nagar sweet stalls - local pure-veg counters for Ayodhya peda, khurchan and milk sweets; confirm freshness on arrival.
- ✦Ram Rasoi / community bhandaras near the temple precincts - simple, free sattvic vegetarian thali served to pilgrims; timings vary, so check locally.
- ✦Hanuman Garhi bazaar eateries (a short e-rickshaw ride) - pure-vegetarian pilgrim thalis, chaat and mithai; verify the specific outlet is pure-veg before ordering.
About
Vibhishan Kund is one of Ayodhya's gentler, less-trodden sacred sites — a stone-lined tank (kund) with an adjoining shrine set in the Tulsi Nagar locality, a short distance from the celebrated riverside steps of Ram Ki Paidi.
- It is dedicated to Vibhishan, the righteous younger brother of Ravana, who in the Ramayana turns away from injustice to align himself with dharma and Lord Rama, and is afterwards consecrated as the devotee-king of Lanka.
- In the devotional geography of Ayodhya, the kund belongs to the tender chapter of the epic that follows the war: Rama's homecoming and the joyous coronation (rajya-abhishek), when companions who had stood beside him gathered in the city to share in the celebration.
- Local tradition holds that when Vibhishan accompanied Lord Rama to Ayodhya for the coronation festivities, arrangements were made for the comfort and ritual bathing of the honoured guests, and this kund is remembered as the sacred water body linked to Vibhishan's stay.
- Pilgrims recall that Vibhishan wished to remain near Rama, but was lovingly counselled to return and govern Lanka with justice — so the site carries a quiet emotional resonance of devotion, duty and parting rather than grandeur.
- The kund thus stands as a small but meaningful bead in the mala of Ayodhya's Ramayana-linked tirthas, each marking a moment in the beloved narrative.
- The tank and its shrine have been renovated in recent years, with cleaned steps, a tidied precinct and a modest temple where a simple daily worship is maintained.
- It is an unhurried, contemplative stop — you will often find only a handful of local devotees and priests, the water still, the atmosphere calm.
- Photographers appreciate the reflective surface and the soft light of early morning and late afternoon.
- Ayodhya is a strictly vegetarian and alcohol-free holy city, and the lanes around Tulsi Nagar and Ram Ki Paidi reflect that ethos: pure-vegetarian stalls sell kachori-sabzi, dahi-jalebi, hot samosas and Ayodhya's famous milky pedas and khurchan, while the free community kitchens (bhandaras) and the Ram Rasoi serve simple sattvic meals to pilgrims.
- A visit here pairs naturally with the ghats of Ram Ki Paidi and a wider Ramayana-trail circuit of the city's kunds and shrines.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Vibhishan Kund, Tulsi Nagar, near Ram Ki Paidi, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, 224123
How to Reach: In Tulsi Nagar, close to Ram Ki Paidi (about 1 km). From Ram Ki Paidi it is a short walk or a 5-minute e-rickshaw ride. From the Ram Janmabhoomi temple area an e-rickshaw or auto costs roughly Rs 30-60 (10-15 minutes). Ayodhya Dham Junction railway station is about 3-4 km (auto/e-rickshaw ~Rs 60-100); Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhya is around 12-15 km. Narrow lanes near the kund make an e-rickshaw the easiest final approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Vibhishan Kund dedicated to?
Vibhishan Kund is dedicated to Vibhishan, the righteous younger brother of Ravana who chose the path of dharma and joined Lord Rama in the Ramayana, and was afterwards crowned the devotee-king of Lanka. The sacred pond and its adjoining shrine in Ayodhya remember his association with Rama's homecoming and coronation.
Is there an entry fee for Vibhishan Kund?
No, entry is free. Like most sacred sites in Ayodhya, the kund and its shrine are open to all devotees and visitors without any admission ticket. If you wish, you may make a voluntary offering at the temple.
What are the timings of Vibhishan Kund?
The kund precinct is generally accessible daily from around sunrise to evening (reported roughly 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM). Shrine worship and aarti times can vary, so it is best to confirm locally, especially if you want to attend the aarti.
How do I reach Vibhishan Kund in Ayodhya?
It lies in Tulsi Nagar, about 1 km from Ram Ki Paidi, from where it is a short walk or a 5-minute e-rickshaw ride. From the Ram Janmabhoomi temple area an e-rickshaw or auto takes 10-15 minutes for roughly Rs 30-60. Ayodhya Dham Junction railway station is about 3-4 km away. The final lanes are narrow, so an e-rickshaw is the easiest way in.
What is there to see at Vibhishan Kund?
It is a quiet, renovated stone-lined sacred tank with an adjoining shrine where simple daily worship is maintained. The appeal is contemplative rather than grand: still water, cleaned steps and a calm precinct usually visited by only a few local devotees. It fits naturally into a Ramayana-trail circuit alongside the nearby ghats of Ram Ki Paidi.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near Vibhishan Kund?
Ayodhya is a strictly vegetarian and alcohol-free city, so the whole area is veg-friendly. The Ram Ki Paidi lanes about 1 km away have pure-veg stalls serving kachori-sabzi, jalebi and samosas, Tulsi Nagar has sweet counters for Ayodhya peda and khurchan, and community kitchens and the Ram Rasoi offer simple sattvic thalis to pilgrims. Do confirm an outlet is pure-veg before ordering.