Photo spot in Ayodhya
Kanak Bhawan
Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh
A beautiful temple to Ram and Sita, said to have been Sita's palace, with golden-crowned idols and ornate interiors.
Best time
Morning, when soft light fills the courtyard and there are fewer people; early evening for a warm, peaceful feel as the lamps come on.
Best angle
Stand at the far end of the courtyard and take a wide photo of the palace facade with its arched galleries above.
Entry fee
Free
Opening hours
8:00 AM – 11:30 AM, 4:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Crowd level
Medium
Best outfit colors
Overview
Best time to visit Kanak Bhawan
Morning, when soft light fills the courtyard and there are fewer people; early evening for a warm, peaceful feel as the lamps come on. Crowds here are typically medium. Arrive a little early to claim your angle and catch the softest light before the day tips over.
Poses & angles
Photo tips for Kanak Bhawan
Stand at the far end of the courtyard and take a wide photo of the palace facade with its arched galleries above. Work a few of the pose ideas below, shoot wide for context and tight for detail, and give yourself a couple of extra minutes to get the frame right.
In the temple courtyard
By the ornate entrance
Outfit guide
What to wear at Kanak Bhawan
For photos at Kanak Bhawan, yellow, saffron and gold work beautifully — they stand out against the setting without fighting it. Pick one hero colour and keep the rest of the look calm so you stay the subject of the frame.
Best outfit colors for photos
Trending wear for this spot
Popular modern looks travellers are wearing across Ayodhya.
Traditional wear for this spot
Timeless, cultural looks that suit Kanak Bhawan.
Eat nearby
Food near Kanak Bhawan
Round out the visit with something to eat. Look for satvik ayodhya thali nearby, or settle in at one of the 1 restaurants close by.
Special dishes to try
Restaurants & food places nearby
Good to know
Local tips
Arrive in the morning or evening, as the temple usually closes for a few hours in the afternoon.
Sit for a while in the hall if bhajans are being sung, as it is the calmest darshan in town.
Ask the staff before taking any photo inside, and keep the sanctum out of your frame.
Pair it with the Ram Mandir and Hanuman Garhi, as all three are a short walk apart.
Come during Shravan to see the images on their flower-decked swing for the Jhula festival.
Leave shoes at the stand by the gate before you enter the courtyard.
Look up at the galleries round the courtyard, as the upper storey has the best detail.
Sita's palace
Kanak Bhawan means golden palace. Tradition says Kaikeyi, Ram's stepmother, gave it to Sita as a gift when she married Ram. The building you see today was rebuilt in 1891 by Maharani Vrishbhanu Kunwari and her husband, and it looks more like a palace from Bundelkhand or Rajasthan than a temple. It stands to the north-east of Ramkot, a short walk from the Ram Mandir.
Inside
A tall gateway opens onto a large courtyard with galleries round it. The sanctum holds images of Ram and Sita wearing gold crowns, and devotees say there are three pairs of images here, each with its own story. Musicians often sing bhajans in the hall, and the mood is calmer and more intimate than at the bigger temples.
Opening hours
Kanak Bhawan usually opens in the morning, closes for a few hours in the afternoon and reopens in the evening. The exact times shift with the season, so check locally before you plan around them. If you arrive in the middle of the day, visit Hanuman Garhi or the ghats first and come back.
Festivals
Ram Navami and Janaki Navami, Sita's birthday in April or May, are the big days. In the monsoon month of Shravan, Kanak Bhawan is one of the main temples for the Jhula festival, when the images are placed on a swing decorated with flowers.
Photos
The courtyard, gateway and upper galleries are the things to photograph. Photographing the images in the sanctum is usually not allowed, so ask the staff first. See the temples page for the rest of Ramkot.
Questions
Kanak Bhawan — FAQ
What is the best time to visit Kanak Bhawan?
Morning, when soft light fills the courtyard and there are fewer people; early evening for a warm, peaceful feel as the lamps come on. Stand at the far end of the courtyard and take a wide photo of the palace facade with its arched galleries above.
Is there an entry fee at Kanak Bhawan?
Entry to Kanak Bhawan is free.
What are the opening hours of Kanak Bhawan?
Kanak Bhawan is open 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM, 4:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
What should I wear at Kanak Bhawan?
Yellow, saffron and gold photograph especially well here. Explore the trending and traditional outfit ideas on this page for full looks.
How crowded does Kanak Bhawan get?
Crowd levels are typically medium. To miss the busiest window: morning, when soft light fills the courtyard and there are fewer people; early evening for a warm, peaceful feel as the lamps come on.
What food should I try near Kanak Bhawan?
Try satvik ayodhya thali, available at nearby restaurants.
Who built Kanak Bhawan?
Tradition credits Kaikeyi, who gave it to Sita. The present building was rebuilt in 1891 by Maharani Vrishbhanu Kunwari and her husband.
Is Kanak Bhawan open in the afternoon?
Usually not. It normally closes for a few hours in the middle of the day and reopens in the evening. Check the times locally.
What is special about the images at Kanak Bhawan?
Ram and Sita are shown together wearing gold crowns, which is how the temple got its name. Devotees say three pairs of images are kept in the sanctum.
How far is Kanak Bhawan from the Ram Mandir?
It is a short walk, to the north-east of Ramkot. Most people visit the two together.