Ayodhya, Prayagraj and Varanasi fit in one week by road from Lucknow, with Gaya added at the end. This is the Awadh circuit: Shri Ram's birthplace, the confluence of three rivers, the city of Lord Shiva, and the Falgu ghats.
The route and distances
| Day | Route | Distance | Night |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lucknow to Ayodhya | 135 km, about 3 hours | Ayodhya |
| 2 | Ayodhya full day | - | Ayodhya |
| 3 | Ayodhya to Prayagraj | 168 km, about 5 hours | Prayagraj |
| 4 | Prayagraj to Varanasi | 120 km, about 3 hours | Varanasi |
| 5 | Varanasi full day | - | Varanasi |
| 6 | Varanasi to Gaya | 250 km, about 6 hours | Gaya |
| 7 | Departure | - | - |
Ayodhya
Ayodhya stands on the Sarayu. Give it a full day: the Ram Mandir at Ram Janmabhoomi, Hanuman Garhi, Kanak Bhawan, Dashrath Mahal, the Valmiki Ramayana Bhavan and Nandigram, with a bath in the Sarayu and the evening aarti at Ram ki Paidi.
Prayagraj
At Triveni Sangam the Ganga and Yamuna meet, and the Saraswati is believed to join them unseen. Take the boat to the confluence, then Bade Hanuman temple, Akshayvat, the Allahabad Fort and Anand Bhavan. In January and February the Magh Mela fills the sands.
Varanasi
Varanasi gets two evenings: darshan at Kashi Vishwanath, the Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat and a boat ride, then Annapurna, Kaal Bhairav, Sankat Mochan, Tulsi Manas and Assi Ghat the next day.
Gaya
Gaya closes the circuit with the Vishnupad temple and the Falgu ghats, where families perform pind daan.
Awadh circuit or the full Ramayana Yatra?
- Seven days, India only: the Cultural Quadrangle of Awadh covers Ayodhya, Prayagraj, Varanasi and Gaya from Lucknow, 6 nights and 7 days, with vegetarian meals and a private vehicle.
- Eleven days, to Janakpur in Nepal: the Ramayana Yatra adds Naimisharanya, Shringverpur, Chitrakoot, Buxar, Sitamarhi and Janakpur, Mata Sita's birthplace. See all the Ramayana Yatra places in route order.
Best time to go
October to March is the comfortable season. Diwali in Ayodhya and Dev Deepawali in Varanasi are beautiful but crowded; book early. April to June is very hot on the plains.
Frequently asked questions
Can Ayodhya, Prayagraj and Varanasi be done in one trip?
Yes. By road from Lucknow they fit in five to seven days: Ayodhya, then Prayagraj (168 km), then Varanasi (120 km). Adding Gaya makes it seven days.
How far is Ayodhya from Prayagraj?
About 168 km by road, roughly five hours.
How far is Prayagraj from Varanasi?
About 120 km by road, roughly three hours.
What is the Awadh circuit?
A pilgrimage route through Ayodhya, Prayagraj and Varanasi, usually starting from Lucknow, often extended to Gaya or into the full Ramayana Yatra to Janakpur.
अयोध्या, प्रयागराज और वाराणसी की यात्रा कितने दिन में होती है?
लखनऊ से सड़क मार्ग से 5 से 7 दिन में: अयोध्या से प्रयागराज लगभग 168 km और प्रयागराज से वाराणसी लगभग 120 km है। गया जोड़ने पर यात्रा 7 दिन की हो जाती है।
