The 15-km Panchkosi Parikrama is the shortest and hence most popular circumambulation parikrama of Ayodhya. It involves walking around the sacred Ram City area (Panchkos area) which has been demarcated by the Ram Temple committee to represent the original Rama city area. Devotees normally do this parikrama on Kartik Shukla Ekadashi (Devuthani Ekadashi). Starting the day with a holy dip in the Saryu river, they walk barefoot around the sacred boundary of the city. The path takes them through Ram Janmabhumi, Hanuman Garhi, Kanak Bhawan, Ram Ki Paidi and Saryu ghats.
Hello. I am Rohit, and I have been a guide for pilgrims for 8 years. In the latter days I have mostly guided pilgrims for Ayodhya Parikramas including Ram Mandir darshan. The Panchkosi is the one and a half hour parakrama and it is the ideal first step for the pilgrim who is a complete novice and wants to understand the culture of Ayodhya.
The guide below provides you the entire route temple-by-temple, the upcoming 2027 date, the guidelines, what you will need to carry, and practical tips so that your parikrama goes off smoothly and meaningfully.
What Is Panchkosi Parikrama?
Parikrama is essentially walking around sacred places in devotion. Ayodhya has 5 parikramas routes: Antargrihi (shortest), Panchkosi (15 km), Chaudahkosi (42-45 km), Chaurasikosi (240-252 km), and Ramkot ki Parikrama.
The Panchkosi is the inner most circle which represents the original Rama city area. This parikrama is done within one hour, mostly begins with day-light hours and finished before sunrise of next day.
The reason for walking circumambulating is that the devotees feel that the parikrama cleanses a person of all past deeds (karma) and it can be a steppingstone to moksha (liberation) or spiritual enlightenment. It can also bestow a sense of peace and divine blessings upon oneself.
Panchkosi Parikrama 2027: Date and Timings
The parikrama is held every year on Kartik Shukla Ekadashi, also known as Devuthani Ekadashi or Dev Uthani Ekadashi — the day the gods wake from their four-month sleep.
Important: The exact 2027 date depends on the Hindu lunar calendar. Confirm with the official Ayodhya Dham portal or a local panchang closer to the date. Do not book travel on an assumed date.
Panchkosi Parikrama Route Map: Temple by Temple
The route starts and ends at Naya Ghat on the Saryu. The table below follows the traditional sequence, combining the route listed by the Ayodhya Dham portal, UP Tourism, and local guides.
Note: The exact sequence can vary slightly depending on the administration's route plan for that year. The core stops — Naya Ghat, Ram Ghat, Guptar Ghat, Sita Kund, Mani Parvat, Sugriv Parvat, Lakshman Ghat, Ram Ki Paidi, Hanuman Garhi, Kanak Bhawan, and Ram Janmabhoomi — remain consistent.
Distance and Duration: What to Expect
| Factor | Reality |
|---|---|
| Total distance | ~15 km (official UP Tourism lists 16 km) |
| Walking time | 6–9 hours of actual walking |
| Total event window | ~22–24 hours (includes darshan stops, rest, crowd delays) |
| Surface | Paved roads, lanes, ghat steps, some uneven stretches |
| Crowd | Lakhs of devotees — 4–5 lakh in recent years |
| Footwear | Barefoot (traditional rule) |
The 15 km figure is the circuit length. But you will walk more than 15 km in practice — detours to temple entrances, queue movements, and ghat steps add distance. Plan for 20,000–25,000 steps.
Rules and Rituals of the Parikrama
Before Starting
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Holy dip in the Saryu at Naya Ghat
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Sankalp (formal resolve) to complete the parikrama
During the Parikrama
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Walk barefoot — this is the tradition
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Chant "Jai Shri Ram" or sing bhajans
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Do not reverse or cut across the route — follow the direction of the circuit
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No non-vegetarian food or alcohol — the entire Panchkosi area is effectively a vegetarian and alcohol-free zone
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Do not carry leather items into temple premises
After Completion
What to Carry for Panchkosi Parikrama
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Comfortable footwear for the return | You walk barefoot, but need footwear for the journey home |
| Water bottle | 15 km barefoot is dehydrating; refill points are available but crowded |
| Light cotton clothes | October–November Ayodhya is warm by day, cool at night |
| A light shawl or jacket | Night walking gets chilly |
| ORS sachets | For hydration and electrolyte balance |
| Blister plasters | Barefoot walking causes blisters; carry a small first-aid kit |
| Small backpack | Keep hands free; avoid large bags |
| ID proof | Security checks are strict |
| Cash | ATMs may run out; small shops along the route need cash |
| Phone with a power bank | For emergencies and group coordination |
Do not carry: Valuables, jewellery, large luggage, or leather items.
How to Reach Ayodhya
| Mode | From Lucknow | From Delhi | From Varanasi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train | 2–2.5 hrs to Ayodhya Dham Junction | 8–10 hrs | 3–4 hrs |
| Road | 135 km, 2.5–3 hrs | 650 km, 10–12 hrs | 200 km, 3.5–4 hrs |
| Air | Lucknow (135 km) | Delhi (650 km) | Varanasi (200 km) |
Nearest airport: Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhya (AYJ) — now operational with direct flights from major cities. Otherwise, Lucknow (LKO) is the practical alternative.
Nearest railway: Ayodhya Dham Junction (formerly Faizabad Junction) and Ayodhya Cantt.
Where to Stay During Panchkosi Parikrama
Book at least 2–3 months in advance. Lakhs of devotees arrive, and hotels, dharamshalas, and ghat-side rooms fill up fast.
| Area | Suits |
|---|---|
| Near Naya Ghat / Ram Ki Paidi | Walkable to start point; book very early |
| Near Hanuman Garhi / Ram Janmabhoomi | Central, but crowded and no vehicle access in lanes |
| Faizabad Road / Civil Lines | Modern hotels, parking, easier access |
| Ayodhya Cantt area | Budget stays, railway access |
Tip: If you cannot find a room in Ayodhya, stay in Faizabad (now Ayodhya's twin city) and travel in early. It is 7–8 km from the parikrama route. For Ayodhya hotel and tour assistance, visit tripmyayodhya.com.
Safety Tips for the Parikrama
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Start early. The official start is around 4 AM. Join the flow early to avoid the worst crush.
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Stay with your group. Decide a meeting point at Naya Ghat in case you separate.
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Mobile networks jam during peak hours. Do not rely on phones to find each other.
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Watch your step. The route includes uneven stretches, open drains, and ghat steps. The administration covers open ducts and sets barricades, but stay alert.
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Use the medical camps. Temporary health centres and ambulances are stationed along the route.
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Elderly and children: The full 15 km barefoot is demanding. Consider doing a shorter stretch or the Antargrihi Parikrama instead.
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Follow police instructions. Around 2,000 police, PAC, and ATS personnel are deployed, with CCTV and drone surveillance.
Panchkosi vs Chaudahkosi vs Chaurasikosi
For most first-time pilgrims, Panchkosi is the right choice.
Conclusion
The Panchkosi Parikrama is not a walk. It is an act of surrender. You walk barefoot around the land where Ram ruled, past the ghats where he bathed, the hills where the vanaras stood, and the temple where he was born. Fifteen kilometres. One day. Lakhs of voices chanting "Jai Shri Ram."
Start at Naya Ghat with a dip in the Saryu. Walk slowly. Stop at Hanuman Garhi, Kanak Bhawan, and Ram Janmabhoomi. Do not rush the darshan. Eat light, drink water, and protect your feet.
If you are coming in 2027, confirm the date with the official Ayodhya Dham portal, book your stay months in advance, and arrive a day early. The parikrama rewards preparation.
Jai Shri Ram.
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