Arrive Ayodhya (railway station / bus stand / drop point). Keep a small bag, use station cloakroom or lockers if available and freshen up quickly before heading into the old city; security checks are heavy on Diwali so keep ID handy.
Grab a quick, local vegetarian snack and chai or lassi at a nearby stall/cafe (many vendors near the station and on the way to the temple). This keeps you fueled for long queues and walking on a busy festival day.
Have a filling vegetarian thali at a reliable local restaurant near the temple area (choose a clean, popular place so service is faster during Diwali crowds); good to eat before long darshan queues. Typical dishes: daal, sabzi, roti, rice and dessert.
Visit the Ram Mandir complex — the heart of Ayodhya and the primary Diwali focal point; darshan may take long on Diwali so prioritize this early if you can. Confirm token/booking rules in advance; official darshan times typically run early morning to evening but may have special hours on festivals.
Short walk/ride to Kanak Bhawan, an ornate palace-temple associated with Sita and Rama with beautiful idols and festival decorations; a calm, photogenic stop and often less chaotic than the main mandir.
Climb the steps to Hanuman Garhi for panoramic views of the old city and to see the historic shrine of Hanuman; expect steps and a moderate climb — the temple is usually open until late evening but check on festival schedules.
Visit Nageshwarnath (ancient Shiva temple) and nearby Treta Ke Thakur, both important in local Ramayana tradition; they provide historical context to the Ram Mandir complex and are usually open through the afternoon into evening.
Take a short break at a clean tea stall or café near the Saryu ghats for chai and a samosa or sweet; this is useful to rest before the evening aarti and to secure a good viewing spot along the ghats.
Walk down to the Saryu river ghats — on Diwali the ghats and riverfront are brightly lit and beautifully decorated; arrive early (a good hour before aarti) because crowds swell and viewing space is limited. Typical aarti begins around sunset (times vary) — expect heavy crowds and security checks.
Experience the main Diwali aarti on the Saryu: lamps, chants, fireworks and illuminated ghats make this the highlight of Ayodhya’s festival night. Aarti time depends on local sunset — confirm the exact schedule the morning of Diwali; plan for a 45–75 minute ceremony including processions.
After the aarti, walk the lit ghats and the nearby old-city lanes to see Diwali decorations, sweets stalls and illuminated façades; keep valuables secure and move in a group if possible due to heavy crowds.
Have an early, quick dinner at a clean, popular vegetarian restaurant near the ghats or station to avoid late-night closures; choose simple comforting food (dal‑roti, paneer sabzi or thali) so you can depart relaxed. Many eateries stay open late on Diwali but lines can be long.
Walk or take a short ride back to the railway station / bus stand to collect luggage and clear security; on Diwali expect traffic and crowds, so leave the ghats with plenty of buffer time for your onward connection.
Board your train/bus/vehicle and depart Ayodhya after a full Diwali day. If you need an earlier departure time, adjust the afternoon sequence accordingly and prioritize Ram Mandir and the Saryu aarti.