Photo spot in Ayodhya
Ram Ki Paidi (Saryu Ghat)
Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh
A grand series of Saryu-river ghats, spectacular during the record-breaking Deepotsav lamp festival and the nightly aarti.
Best time
Sunset for warm light on the steps and the aarti lamps; just after dark, when the floodlit ghats reflect in the water.
Best angle
Take a boat a little way out on the Saryu and shoot a wide photo of the lit ghats and temple spires along the bank.
Entry fee
Free (boat ride extra)
Opening hours
Open all day; aarti at sunset
Crowd level
High
Best outfit colors
Overview
Best time to visit Ram Ki Paidi (Saryu Ghat)
Sunset for warm light on the steps and the aarti lamps; just after dark, when the floodlit ghats reflect in the water. Crowds here are typically high. Arrive a little early to claim your angle and catch the softest light before the day tips over.
Poses & angles
Photo tips for Ram Ki Paidi (Saryu Ghat)
Take a boat a little way out on the Saryu and shoot a wide photo of the lit ghats and temple spires along the bank. 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.
On the ghat steps at aarti
With diyas by the river
Outfit guide
What to wear at Ram Ki Paidi (Saryu Ghat)
For photos at Ram Ki Paidi (Saryu Ghat), saffron, yellow and white 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
Modern, camera-ready looks picked for Ram Ki Paidi (Saryu Ghat).
Traditional wear for this spot
Timeless, cultural outfits worn across Ayodhya.
Eat nearby
Food near Ram Ki Paidi (Saryu Ghat)
Round out the visit with something to eat. Look for lassi and litti chokha nearby.
Special dishes to try
Good to know
Local tips
Arrive about half an hour before sunset to find a good place on the steps for the aarti.
Take a boat ride at sunset for a view of the whole lit waterfront from the river.
Check the laser show timing at the ticket counter, as it changes with the season.
Wear sandals with grip, as the stone steps are smooth and get slippery when wet.
Stay off the lower steps when the river is high in the monsoon.
Keep your wallet and phone in a zipped pocket in the evening crowd.
Plan for closed ghats and huge crowds on Deepotsav night, and arrive hours early.
The river steps
Ram ki Paidi is a long series of ghats, stone steps down to the water, on the Saryu river in the heart of old Ayodhya. Pilgrims come to bathe here through the day, and in the evening it is where the town gathers. The steps are floodlit after dark, and their reflections in the water make this the best place in town for a night photo. The Shiva temple of Nageshwarnath stands on the same stretch.
Evenings
A Saryu aarti is held at sunset at the river ghats here, with priests raising brass lamps over the water. The exact ghat and time change with the season, so ask locally. After dark there is usually a ticketed laser and light show that tells the story of Ram on the waterfront. Boats from the ghats take you out onto the river for a view of the whole front, and many visitors do this for the aarti.
Deepotsav
On the eve of Diwali, Ram ki Paidi is the centre of Deepotsav. Volunteers light clay lamps along the ghats, and Ayodhya has set several Guinness world records for the count, which has passed two million in recent years. The steps are closed to general visitors while the lamps are laid and lit, and only set viewing areas are open. It is worth planning a trip around, but come prepared for heavy crowds.
Safety on the water
The Saryu runs fast after rain. In the monsoon, low steps can go under water, and boats may stop when the river is high. Bathe only where others are bathing, and keep children close. The stone steps are slippery when wet.
Nearby
The kachori and lassi stalls in the lanes behind the ghats are good for a snack, and Ananya Restaurant is close by for a proper meal. See where to eat.
Questions
Ram Ki Paidi (Saryu Ghat) — FAQ
What is the best time to visit Ram Ki Paidi (Saryu Ghat)?
Sunset for warm light on the steps and the aarti lamps; just after dark, when the floodlit ghats reflect in the water. Take a boat a little way out on the Saryu and shoot a wide photo of the lit ghats and temple spires along the bank.
Is there an entry fee at Ram Ki Paidi (Saryu Ghat)?
Entry to Ram Ki Paidi (Saryu Ghat) is free (boat ride extra).
What are the opening hours of Ram Ki Paidi (Saryu Ghat)?
Ram Ki Paidi (Saryu Ghat) is open all day; aarti at sunset.
What should I wear at Ram Ki Paidi (Saryu Ghat)?
Saffron, yellow and white photograph especially well here. Explore the trending and traditional outfit ideas on this page for full looks.
How crowded does Ram Ki Paidi (Saryu Ghat) get?
Crowd levels are typically high. To miss the busiest window: sunset for warm light on the steps and the aarti lamps; just after dark, when the floodlit ghats reflect in the water.
What food should I try near Ram Ki Paidi (Saryu Ghat)?
Try lassi and litti chokha at spots close by.
Is there an aarti at Ram ki Paidi every evening?
Yes, a Saryu aarti is held at sunset at the river ghats. The exact ghat and time move with the season, so ask a local or your hotel on the day.
Is the laser show at Ram ki Paidi free?
No, it is ticketed. It usually runs after dark, and the timings change with the season, so check at the counter.
Can I bathe in the Saryu at Ram ki Paidi?
Yes, many pilgrims do. Bathe only in the marked areas, keep children close and stay out when the river is high after rain.
Can I see the Deepotsav lamps from the ghats?
Only from the viewing areas that are open on the night. The steps themselves are kept for volunteers laying and lighting the lamps.