Planning a pilgrimage is a tedious process. Apart from everything else like the stay, tickets, bookings and the best places to visit, the main part of the pilgrimage is the temples that we’re going to visit. With the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya around the corner, most of us are planning a pilgrimage there. This place is of utter spiritual importance since this Ram Mandir is believed to be the place of birth of Lord Ram. If you’re planning on visiting there, here are all the things you should consider while planning to further enhance your spiritual experience. 

Planning your visit to Ram Mandir

The beautiful Ram Mandir has been built in the very place where the remains of an ancient temple have been found. This temple is believed to be built at the place where Lord Ram was born. Ayodhya is a sacred city, considered so because of all the places with spiritual importance located here. Once the Ram Mandir has been consecrated, millions of devotees from all around the world will be coming in to seek blessings at this marvellous temple. That is also why it is of utmost importance to have a few pointers for your pilgrimage pre-planned 

• Time of the year during your visit
• Tourism in Ayodhya at the time
• Dress code to be followed there
• Rules to be followed, if any

Temple Opening and Closing Time

Just like everything else, knowing the timings of the temple along with other information is necessary to plan your day while you’re in the sacred city. The daily opening and closing hours of the temple are similar to any other temple. However, they may vary according to the season. The currently fixed Ram Mandir visiting hours are 

• Morning : 7:00 am to 11:00 am 
• Afternoon : 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Daily Schedule Of Ram Mandir

The daily schedule of any pilgrimage site is necessary to be taken note of before planning an itinerary for the tour. With the inauguration of the Ram Mandir, the daily schedule of the Ram Mandir has also been declared to allow devotees to play their trip accordingly. The schedule includes the

• Darshan Timings
• Aarti Timings
• Pass booking timings

Morning Opening Hours and Rituals

Early morning is a great time to take blessings at the temple. 

• The Ram Mandir visiting hours start as early as at

• 6:00 am on Sundays
• 7:00 am on other days 
• The first aarti in the morning begins at 6:30am.

Visitors are supposed to book passes one day before to be able to attend the morning aarti or take darshan during the morning hours. 

Evening Closing Time and Activities

After the morning session for darshan comes to an end at 11:00 am, the afternoon/evening session commences at 2:00 pm and lasts until 

• 7:30pm on Sundays
• 7:00 pm on other days 

The afternoon and evening aartis are performed at 

• 12:00pm
• 7:30pm

Visitors will be able to attend these aartis and take darshan by booking passes from the temple authorities on the very day. These passes are subject to availability 

Pooja Services and Pricing

A Pooja is a ritual performed by Hindu devotees to worship and pay respect to deities. Poojas are performed in Hindu homes daily for every event, either on a small scale or large While visiting a temple or other place with high spiritual importance, it is believed to be of great value, if a devotee can attend or perform Pooja.

Engaging in Pooja and Religious Services

When on a pilgrimage, it is of utmost importance for devotees to be able to engage in Pooja and other religious services performed at the temple. These are not just acts of devotion, but a feeling of immense pleasure. When in Ayodhya, you too can get the immense pleasure of being able to engage in various Poojas and services.

Types of Poojas and their Significance

Before the consecration of the Ram Mandir, there is a seven-day schedule of various Poojas that will be performed there. These, however, will not be available to attend for common people. After the consecration, however, there are different Poojas and acts of devotion that devotees can attend. The aartis performed for Ram Lalla will be held during the morning, afternoon and evening, passes for which can be purchased from the authorities. . 

Pricing and Offerings for Pooja Services

While the official Pooja pricing in Ayodhya and Offerings that can be performed during the Pooja services at Ram Mandir, Ayodhya has not yet been declared officially by the authorities, there will be multiple Pooja services during the day. The multiple aartis devoted to Lord Ram, Hanuman, Goddess Sita and other Hindu Deities will be performed at varying timings. Devotees will be allowed to attend these aartis and take darshan according to the availability of passes.

Donations and Offering Box Details

Donations are a great way of contributing to the well-being of a temple and other spiritual places. It’s like a way of giving back from what you have earned. Devotees are welcome to donate to the Ram Mandir, Ayodhya which will be a great source of income for the city, allowing to promote the wellbeing of that place.

Contributing to Ram Mandir

You can check out the official website of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust to be able to contribute and donate directly to the Ram Mandir. The donations go straight to the further development and care of this massive temple built on 2.7 Acres of property.

Donation Box Locations and Protocols

Non-Indian passport devotees interested in voluntarily donating money to the Ram Mandir can use any option like 

• Cheque
• Online Fund Transfer
• Cash

While Indian Passport Holding devotees can use methods like

• UPI
• Cheque
• Fund Transfer 
• Cash

The cash donations up to Rs.2000 are eligible for deduction.

50% of voluntary contributions to the temple are eligible for deduction.

Official Channels for Monetary Contributions

While all the donation information is given, what is most important is the channel or place through which one can make contributions. The official website for the trust has given information about funds transfer for common banks like SBI, Bank of Baroda, and Punjab National Bank. There is all the major information including bank account numbers and IFSC codes for the same available on the website.

Dress Code for Different Visitors

One factor that is widely known when discussing a pilgrimage is the clothing and Etiquette that needs to be followed there. Clothes that you wear to a pilgrimage aren’t merely pieces of fashion, but they have spiritual and cultural importance. This is why, while visiting one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus, you must follow specific rules regarding clothing and etiquette.

Understanding Ram Mandir’s Dress Code

While taking a trip to a new place, one must understand that they are going to be living in the lives of the local people there. Doesn’t matter what your beliefs are, everyone must follow decorum when it comes to visiting a place with spiritual value. Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is a place of utmost spiritual importance for Hindus and if you’re a devotee about to take a spiritual journey to Ram Mandir, we will guide you about the dressing, behavior and other things that need to be taken care of. 

Appropriate Attire for Women and Girls

Out in the normal world, most people choose to wear Western clothes that are easy to put on and are comfortable. Rightly so, traditional wear is just as comfortable but the choice between Western and traditional clothes might be rooted in a generational gap or just comfort. However, while on a tour to a sacred city like Ayodhya while you’re on a spiritual journey to Ram Mandir, it is of utmost importance that you respect the local traditions and practices. 

• Females should preferably wear traditional Indian clothes along with dupattas 

• Sarees
• Salwar Kameez
• Kurtis
• Avoid revealing and tight fitting clothes

Recommended Dress for Boys and Men

Women of all generations usually don traditional Indian clothes a lot more than men. You will see a lot of women and even young girls in sarees, Kurtis, salwar suits and more but not a lot of men and young boys in kurtas and dhotis. They usually wear those on special occasions like festivals. A pilgrimage is much like a festival, which is why it should be honoured with special clothes like traditional Indian wear. Even if you’re not quite comfortable with those, it’s best to opt for plain cotton clothing.

• Males should preferably wear 

formal or traditional clothing like

• Kurta Pyjama
• Dhoti
• Formal Wear
• Avoid clothes like shorts or sleeveless clothes or any other clothing that might be disrespectful to the surrounding. 

Special Considerations for Elderly and Differently-Abled Visitors

The temple dress code at Ram Mandir is not officially declared. There is no hard and fast rule about what to wear and what not to wear at this temple. The factors we discussed about clothing are common for any pilgrimage site. That being said, special considerations are made for elderly and differently-abled devotees.

Comfortable and Accessible Clothing for Older Pilgrims

Older pilgrims visiting Ram Mandir are welcomed in whatever clothing is comfortable and accessible for them. Some older folks might have issues when it comes to fully dressing up like sarees for women and proper dhoti and kurta for men. In that case, devotees are welcome to wear whatever is comfortable for them. It is, however, an unspoken rule that the clothing should be as less explosive as possible. 

Accommodating Clothing for Differently-Abled Visitors

The factor about accommodating clothing is not just for older individuals but for differently abled individuals as well. If devotees with different physical or mental devotees are visiting the Ram Mandir, they are most welcome without any consideration to the temple dress code, as it is universally understood that not everyone can dress up according to the rules due to any physical or mental difficulties.

Conclusion

If you’re not taking a trip with a travel agency, it is of utmost importance to have all the information possible about the spiritual place that you are planning to visit. Even if you have hired an agency, it is best to be informed about everything, every step of the way so that there are no issues once you reach. This blog attempts to clear all the doubts and questions about your pilgrimage to Ram Mandir, Ayodhya including the Ram Mandir visiting hours, temple dress code, pooja pricing in Ayodhya, etc.