With the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, there are surely going to be a lot of devotees and tourists coming in from all over India and across the world to witness the beauty of this temple. While tourists from India can easily visit by boarding trains and buses, it can be a little scary when you’re an international tourist. 

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Here are a few countries whose citizens are eligible for a tourist visa on arrival (TVOA) in India:

Discovering Ram Mandir and Ayodhya as an International Traveler

The prestigious Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has been built at the site where Hindu Lord Ram was believed to have been born. It took many years of struggle and wait for Hindus all over the world to witness the inauguration of this temple and hence, it is one of the most important temples for Hindus. The city of Ayodhya, where this temple is located is believed to be a very sacred city and is the setting of the great epic Ramayana. In this guide, we will be assisting international visitors in experiencing a fulfilling pilgrimage.

Essential Travel Tips for International Pilgrims

Before taking an international trip, it’s always best to have researched about the do’s and don’ts in any city or country. Similarly, if you spend time reading and learning about the culture and traditions of this new place along with its highlights and various tourist spots, along with accommodation, food, travel, etc. you might not even need to hire any travel agency for it.

Planning Your Journey To Ayodhya

Once you have decided to take a pilgrimage to any city, which is Ayodhya in this case, you need a whole travel plan along with an itinerary and other local guide tips to avoid any halts in your pilgrimage. The planning process includes everything like 

• Understanding Visa Process
• Learning about the best time to visit the place 
• Booking Tickets 
• Booking accommodation
• Research about tourist spots and food

Best Times to Visit Ram Mandir

The city of Ayodhya witnesses a lovely celebration of every festival.  These, however, are also the times when Ayodhya witnesses a lot more tourists and pilgrims than throughout the year. So, if you’re in for a ride, you should visit Ayodhya 

• During festivals like Ram Navami, Mahashivratri, Diwali, Dussehra

Ayodhya also has lovely weather ranging from heat waves to cold weather and rainstorms. The best time to visit would be 

• October to March

You get to enjoy nice cool weather without too much heat or rain to ruin your trip.

Accommodation Options for International Travelers

As international tourists, it can be quite difficult to adjust to a place that doesn’t have much flexibility. It’s preferable to learn about the accommodation options that are available to you beforehand while visiting any place. Millions of tourists visit Ayodhya every year and hence it offers comfortable accommodations for every budget group starting from low-priced to luxury stays.

Here’s a few 

• Shakti Guest House
• Royal Heritage Hotel
• The Ramayana Hotel
• Namastay Ayodhya

Understanding Visa Requirements and Entry Formalities

Visiting every country comes with a different set of rules and formalities that every tourist is expected to follow. Provided you are a citizen of one of the above-mentioned countries, you can easily visit India with a travel visa on arrival. Other travellers have to fill out a form to apply for the Indian Visa on the website. 

Navigating Indian Visa Processes

A visa is an Authorization granted to a foreigner to enter or stay in a country. While some countries may offer you a visa on arrival to the country, others might require you to apply for one beforehand along with an interview and other paperwork. For tourists visiting India, you will be required to check out the official website to fill out the form applying for the Indian Visa for Pilgrims and wait for an appointment.

Arrival and Customs Procedures in India

• On arrival in India, one has to head to the immigration counter along with a passport, visa and other documents. 
• Tourists are also expected to fill out a customs declaration form and make use of the red channel if they have any dutiable items.
• It is best to be pre-informed about the limit to carrying duty-free items.

Cultural Etiquette and Local Customs

In addition to all the other difficulties one might experience while visiting a different country, there are always cultural variations. What might be considered casual and normal in one country, could be taken as disrespectful in another. This is why one must be thoroughly informed about the basic cultural etiquette and local customs that should be followed and respected while visiting a new place.

Respecting Religious Traditions and Practices

Each religion comes with its own set of traditions and practices that might be foreign and sometimes even bizarre to the outsider. However, when one is on a journey to explore and learn about the variations and diversity in different cultural groups, the tone must be respectful of it. As a foreigner, one should be open and respectful about all the religious practices that take place while visiting the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

Dress Code and Conduct Inside Ram Mandir

While visiting the Ram Mandir, foreigner or not, one should follow a dress code and conduct inside the Ram Mandir. While the dress code is not mandatory, following one is a way of showing respect towards the religious place. 

It is best to dress up in traditional Indian clothes like a 

• Saree Salwar Kameez, Kurta for women and 
• Kurta Pyjama and dhoti kurta for men.
• Avoid revealing topwear, shorts, sleeveless shirts, etc.

Participating in Rituals and Offerings

Pilgrims are expected to book passes beforehand to take darshan at the Ram Mandir. If one is interested in attending the aartis that are held 3 times a day – Morning, Afternoon and Evening, there are separate bookings that need to be made in coordination with the temple’s trust. This is to avoid overcrowding at the temple. You can also place offerings at the temple and donate online or at Daan Petis in the temple.

Navigating Social and Cultural Norms

While the motive of the trip may be a visit to the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, one should not miss out on the chance of learning and living in a new culture, even if it is temporary. It’s refreshing to learn about the diversity of a new country and the differences between cultures. You can the learn local language interact with people and understand the social and cultural norms there.

Understanding The Local Etiquette

• Ayodhya is considered a sacred city and one must fully respect that while visiting. 
• It’s best to take guidance from locals about photography and videography at locations of religious importance as it might be hurtful to the feelings of other devotees. 
• Public displays of affection like kissing may not be appreciated in some parts of the city. 

People there are quite keen on communicating with international travellers, but may have difficulty speaking languages other than Hindi.

Communication Tips For Non-Hindi Speakers

Communication becomes difficult when travelers are unable to speak or understand the local language of the city they are visiting. However, these days we have many translation tools that we can make use of in situations like these. Even so, it’s best to learn Hindi terms like

• “Namaste” = Hello/Goodbye
• “Shukriya” = Thankyou
• “Haa” = Yes
• ” Nahi” = No

Some translation tools from English to Hindi are 

• Google Translate
• Gglot
• Speechify

Exploring Ayodhya Beyond Ram Mandir

While devotees may be travelling to specifically visit the Ram Mandir, there is more to see in Ayodhya. You can spend the rest of the time on your trip to Ayodhya taking little day-long trips to all the other interesting spots that are present in and around Ayodhya. After all, what is the point of an international trip if you’re not making the most of it, right?

Crafting A Cultural and Spiritual Itinerary

The planning phase of the trip is the best time to read and learn about all the local insights of the city and state that you will be visiting. It’s best to be well-versed about the local attractions there, along with visit-worthy places on there, so that no precious minute of your trip is wasted searching through the city. This Ram Mandir International Travel Guide is going to help you craft a cultural and Spiritual Itinerary.

Must Visit Historical and Religious Sites

Ayodhya is the city where the epic Ramayana is based. Certainly, it has many sites that are of utmost importance spiritually. Places like Lord Ram’s birthplace, his kingdom, Goddess Sita’s kitchen, etc hold deep spiritual importance in the hearts of Hindus. Here are a few must-visit historical and religious sites – 

• Hanuman Garhi Temple
• Sita ki Rasoi
• Shree Ram Katha Park
• Tulsi Smarak Bhawan Museum
• Ram ki Paidi

Immersive Cultural Experiences in Ayodhya

We believe that unless you immerse yourself into the culture of a city, you haven’t truly experienced the beauty of it. Everything from the food, traditional music, language, and local culture is something that one should not miss out on. Here are a few of the immersive cultural experiences in Ayodhya 

• Try the local cuisine
• Witness traditional art forms 
• Visit local artisans
• Enjoy local celebrations

Day Trips and Excursions around Ayodhya

While there are many places of cultural and historical importance within the city of Ayodhya, an international tour should not be limited to just one city. After you have dedicated your time to all the precious jewels of the city, it is time to take a step outside. You should spend the rest of your days taking day-long trips to other sights outside of Ayodhya to cover more tourist attractions in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

Nearby Attractions Worth Exploring

We suggest you head out on a mission to explore all the attractions nearby Ayodhya. You can leave your room in the morning and witness all the beauties you can within a day. Some of these places are 

• Faizabad – Known for its fascinating history located 8 km from Ayodhya
• Gonda – known to have its highlights from the Mahabharata located 45 km from Ayodhya
• Samda Lake and Bird Sanctuary
• Bharat Kund

Organizing guided tours and travel assistance

It is much easier to describe in words, the ways to explore a different city and its culture; than it is to go out and do the exploring independently. It’s also quite easy to get lost and confused in a big city. This is why, it’s quite convenient to book good travel assistance throughout the city so you can sit back and enjoy the view without the hassle of the planning process. Here are a few guided tours- 

• Ayodhya Dham Tours and Travels
• Ayodhya Yatra
• Deepak Saini Ayodhya Tourist Guide

Conclusion: Embracing Ayodhya’s Spiritual Essence as a Global Traveler

To conclude, this Ram Mandir International Travel guide aims to enhance your experience and help you every step of the way while you are trying to plan your pilgrimage to Ram Mandir, Ayodhya.