Make this trip your own
Create your own free, personalized itinerary in seconds — then sign up to save and edit it.
Create my version

3-Day Ayodhya, Prayagraj and Varanasi Pilgrimage Itinerary

Day 1 · Sun, Mar 1
Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh

Temple heritage in Ayodhya

  1. Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir — Ram Janmabhoomi — Begin with Ayodhya’s principal pilgrimage site; allow extra time for security and footwear storage (early morning, ~2 hours).
  2. Hanuman Garhi — Ramkot — Climb to this hilltop Hanuman temple, one of Ayodhya’s most important shrines (late morning, ~1 hour).
  3. Kanak Bhawan — Ramkot — Admire the richly decorated temple dedicated to Rama and Sita (late morning, ~45 minutes).
  4. Shri Ram Ki Paidi — Naya Ghat — Walk along the Sarayu ghats and pause for riverside views (afternoon, ~1 hour).
  5. Makhan-Malai and North Indian vegetarian lunch near Ram Ki Paidi — Naya Ghat — Choose a busy, well-reviewed vegetarian eatery for local sweets and a simple thali (lunch, ~1 hour; ₹250–600 per person).
  6. Saryu River evening aarti — Ram Ki Paidi — Experience devotional music and lamps along the riverfront after sunset (evening, ~1 hour).

Morning

Start early at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, ideally reaching the approach area around 6:00–7:00am. Allow roughly two hours, since security checks, queueing, and restrictions on phones and bags can take longer than expected; carry only essentials and follow the designated footwear-storage arrangements. Entry is generally free, though official booking or darshan procedures can change, so check the temple’s current guidance shortly before visiting. From there, walk or take an e-rickshaw through Ramkot to Hanuman Garhi—the climb is short but busy, and slip-on sandals are far easier than lace-up shoes. Spend about an hour here, then continue on foot to Kanak Bhawan, usually another 5–10 minutes away, for its colorful interiors and calm courtyard. Keep shoulders covered and dress modestly; the cotton kurta, salwar, or light trousers from your packing list will be comfortable.

Afternoon and Evening

Take an e-rickshaw toward Shri Ram Ki Paidi and wander the riverside steps at Naya Ghat for about an hour. Around lunchtime, choose a busy vegetarian restaurant near Ram Ki Paidi rather than an empty riverside stall: order a simple thali, fresh roti, seasonal vegetables, and the local makhan-malai when available, budgeting ₹250–600 per person. March afternoons are sunny and dusty, so use sunscreen, carry water and ORS, and keep a light shawl handy for temple visits. Return to the riverfront before sunset for the Saryu River evening aarti; arrive 30–45 minutes early for a clear view, as the steps fill quickly. The ceremony typically lasts about an hour, with lamps, bells, and devotional singing reflected across the river. Afterward, use a pre-booked auto-rickshaw or e-rickshaw back to your hotel rather than accepting the first tout’s price; short city rides commonly cost around ₹50–150, depending on distance and evening demand.

Day 2 · Mon, Mar 2
Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh

Sacred confluence in Prayagraj

Getting there from Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh
Train via IRCTC or ixigo: book a morning Ayodhya Dham–Prayagraj Junction service where available (approximately 3–4 hours, ₹250–900 depending on class). Depart around 5:30–6:30am to reach Prayagraj in time for the planned early Sangam visit; verify the 2026 timetable before booking.
Private car/taxi via NH330 and NH19 (about 3.5–4.5 hours, ₹4,000–7,000 per vehicle). This is more flexible but may be slower with traffic.
  1. Triveni Sangam boat ride — Sangam area — Take a morning boat to the meeting point of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers (early morning, ~1.5 hours; negotiate boat arrangements locally).
  2. Alopi Devi Temple — Alopi Bagh — Visit this distinctive Shakti shrine near the Sangam pilgrimage zone (morning, ~45 minutes).
  3. Anand Bh भवन — Civil Lines — Tour the Nehru family residence and its political-history exhibits (late morning, ~1.5 hours).
  4. Allahabad Museum — Civil Lines — See archaeology, art, and regional-history collections in a substantial indoor museum visit (afternoon, ~1.5 hours).
  5. El Chico Restaurant — Civil Lines — Have a relaxed multi-cuisine meal in one of Prayagraj’s established restaurants (lunch, ~1 hour; ₹500–1,000 per person).
  6. Khusro Bagh — Near Prayagraj Junction — Finish among Mughal-era tombs and landscaped gardens before returning to your hotel (late afternoon, ~1 hour).

Morning

After arriving in Prayagraj, go straight to the Triveni Sangam area rather than stopping at the hotel; an auto-rickshaw or app cab from Prayagraj Junction generally takes 25–40 minutes, depending on traffic. Aim to reach the riverfront by about 8:00am. Arrange the boat at the official-looking ticket area where possible, confirm the total price and duration before boarding, and expect roughly ₹150–400 per person for a shared ride or considerably more for a private boat. The ride to the meeting point takes about 1½ hours, and the water can be dazzling even in March, so carry your hat, sunscreen, and a light shawl. After returning, take a short auto ride to Alopi Devi Temple in Alopi Bagh, a modest but highly distinctive shrine where the sanctum is associated with an unseen form of the goddess; allow 45 minutes, dress conservatively, and leave footwear outside.

From there, a 15–25-minute auto or cab ride brings you to Anand Bhavan in Civil Lines. The former Nehru family residence is best visited before the afternoon heat—allow about 1½ hours for the rooms, photographs, and political-history exhibits. Check the day’s museum and memorial timings before setting out, as weekly closures and special-event schedules can change; entry is usually inexpensive, commonly around ₹20–100 depending on the sections open. For lunch, walk or take a brief rickshaw ride through Civil Lines to El Chico Restaurant. It is a dependable, air-conditioned choice for North Indian, Chinese, and continental dishes; budget ₹500–1,000 per person and allow an unhurried hour.

Afternoon and Evening

After lunch, spend the afternoon at the Allahabad Museum, also in Civil Lines, usually a 10-minute ride from the restaurant. Give yourself around 1½ hours for its archaeology, sculpture, miniature paintings, and regional-history displays; indoor galleries make this a welcome break from the sun. Verify opening hours and the weekly closure in advance, and keep your ticket and identification handy—entry is generally modest, often under ₹100. In the late afternoon, take a 20–30-minute auto or cab toward Khusro Bagh, near Prayagraj Junction. The walled garden is particularly pleasant as the light softens across the Mughal tombs of Khusrau and his family; allow an hour, wear comfortable shoes, and avoid lingering after dusk. From here, your hotel or the station is only a short ride away, making it a practical final stop rather than a rushed detour.

Day 3 · Tue, Mar 3
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Ghats and temples of Varanasi

Getting there from Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
Train via IRCTC or ixigo: Vande Bharat Express or another Prayagraj Junction–Varanasi Junction service (approximately 1.5–2.5 hours, ₹300–1,500). Depart the previous evening if possible, or take the earliest morning train; a same-morning arrival is too late for Varanasi’s planned sunrise activities.
Private car/taxi via NH19 (about 3–4 hours, ₹3,500–6,000 per vehicle). Use only for an early departure; it still will not comfortably preserve the planned sunrise schedule.
  1. Dashashwamedh Ghat — Godowlia — Start with an early riverside walk and watch the ghats come to life (early morning, ~1 hour).
  2. Ganges sunrise boat ride — Dashashwamedh waterfront — See Varanasi’s eastern-facing ghats from the river while temperatures are comfortable (morning, ~1.5 hours).
  3. Kashi Vishwanath Temple — Vishwanath Gali — Visit Varanasi’s marquee Shiva temple, allowing time for security and queues (late morning, ~2 hours).
  4. Kashi Chaat Bhandar — Godowlia — Try local kachori, chaat, and seasonal sweets at a well-known street-food stop (lunch, ~45 minutes; ₹150–350 per person).
  5. Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple — Lanka — Continue south to a revered Hanuman temple with a calmer, devotional atmosphere (afternoon, ~1 hour).
  6. Assi Ghat — Assi — End with a relaxed ghat walk and evening cultural atmosphere, with a shawl useful after sunset (evening, ~1.5 hours).

Early Morning and Sunrise

Begin at Dashashwamedh Ghat around 5:30–6:00am, when boatmen, flower sellers, priests, and pilgrims gradually bring the riverfront to life. Walk the steps for about an hour, then board a pre-arranged boat from the same waterfront for a roughly 90-minute sunrise ride. Expect approximately ₹300–800 per person for a shared boat, or ₹1,500–3,000 for a private boat; agree on the total price and duration before boarding. March mornings are usually comfortable, but take your light jacket or shawl, and keep your phone and camera secured against spray.

Late Morning and Lunch

Return to Dashashwamedh Ghat and walk through the narrow lanes toward Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Vishwanath Gali—allow around 20–30 minutes, with crowds and security checks slowing the approach. Keep bags, electronics, and unnecessary valuables at your hotel or an approved locker; temple entry procedures and opening arrangements can change, so check the official booking system or ask your hotel the previous evening. Set aside about two hours for security, queueing, and darshan. Afterward, walk back toward Godowlia for lunch at Kashi Chaat Bhandar, budgeting ₹150–350 per person for kachori, chaat, and sweets. Eat freshly served items, use bottled water, and avoid an overly heavy meal before the afternoon temple visit.

Afternoon and Evening

Take an auto-rickshaw or app cab from Godowlia south to Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple in Lanka—normally 25–40 minutes, though traffic can stretch this considerably. Dress modestly, leave large bags and cameras behind, and expect another security check; allow about an hour for the devotional visit. From Lanka, continue by auto or e-rickshaw to Assi Ghat, usually 10–15 minutes. Spend the late afternoon and evening walking the steps, listening to musicians, and browsing the small stalls rather than trying to add another major attraction. Stay through sunset if energy allows, carrying your shawl for the cooler air and using a pre-booked cab or trusted auto for the return to your hotel after dark.

0
Like this trip? Make your own version.
A free, personalized itinerary in seconds — sign up to save and edit it.
Create my version