International Tourist Ayodhya - Janaki Mahal Guide

International Tourist and Overseas Pilgrim Guide to Ayodhya and Sri Janaki Mahal Trust

Ayodhya has always drawn devotees from across the Hindu diaspora — from the Caribbean to Fiji, from the United Kingdom to South Africa, from Canada to Mauritius to the Gulf. Since the opening of Ram Mandir in January 2024, this international flow has intensified dramatically, with overseas Hindus and international tourists of all backgrounds coming to witness one of India's most significant sacred sites.

If you are planning a visit to Ayodhya from outside India — whether as an NRI (Non-Resident Indian), a person of Indian origin (PIO), an OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) cardholder, or a foreign national — this guide addresses your specific needs, questions, and concerns for booking and staying at Sri Janaki Mahal Trust.

Is Sri Janaki Mahal Trust Open to International Visitors?

Yes. Sri Janaki Mahal Trust welcomes all pilgrims and visitors, including those arriving from abroad. There is no requirement to be a citizen of India or even a Hindu to stay at the Trust; the dharmshala serves anyone who comes to Ayodhya with respect and devotion.

International visitors are welcome to:

• Book rooms via WhatsApp or email in advance
• Pay upon arrival in Indian Rupees (INR)
• Receive assistance from English-speaking staff for basic communication
• Access all general Trust facilities and room types

Visa and Documentation for Visiting Ayodhya

For Foreign Nationals (Non-Indian Passport Holders)

You must have a valid Indian visa before traveling to India. Ayodhya is not subject to any special visa restrictions beyond standard Indian entry requirements.

e-Visa: Most countries are eligible for India's e-Visa, which can be applied online through the official Indian government portal. Process time is typically 3–5 business days. Categories relevant for Ayodhya visitors include e-Tourist Visa and e-Medical Visa.

Important: Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh) is in mainland India and accessible to all standard visa categories. There are no inner-line permits or protected area permits required.

Registration: Foreign nationals staying in India for more than 180 days may be required to register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). For shorter stays, no special registration is required beyond normal hotel/accommodation C-form requirements (see below).

For NRIs and OCI/PIO Cardholders

NRIs traveling on Indian passport: No visa required. Standard Indian citizen rules apply.

OCI cardholders: Entry as per OCI entitlement. Standard Indian rules apply.

PIO cardholders: Check current status — PIO cards were merged into OCI scheme; confirm your current card's validity.

C-Form: Accommodation Registration for Foreigners

Hotels and guesthouses in India are required to file a "C-Form" with police for every foreign national guest (non-Indian passport holders). Sri Janaki Mahal Trust will ask for your passport copy at check-in to comply with this requirement.

What to provide at check-in:

• Original passport with valid Indian visa
• Completed C-Form (staff will provide this form)
• Photo ID

This is a standard legal requirement — not a suspicious request. Carry a photocopy of your passport and visa at all times during your India stay.

How to Book Sri Janaki Mahal Trust from Abroad

WhatsApp Booking (Recommended)

WhatsApp is the most convenient and responsive booking channel for international visitors:

Official WhatsApp number: +91 8796208759

What to include in your initial message:

• Your name
• Travel dates (check-in and check-out)
• Number of guests and their relationship (family, couple, group)
• Room type preference (AC/non-AC, number of beds)
• Your country of residence
• Any special requirements (ground floor, vegetarian meal preferences, etc.)

WhatsApp messages in English are completely appropriate. Staff can respond in English. Response times are generally within a few hours during Indian business hours (approximately 6 AM–10 PM IST).

Time zone guidance for international callers:

Your Location	IST (India)	Best Time to Message
UK (GMT)	IST = GMT+5:30	Send message 5–10 AM UK time
USA East (EST)	IST = EST+10:30	Send message 10 PM–2 AM EST
USA West (PST)	IST = PST+13:30	Send message 7 PM–11 PM PST
UAE (GST)	IST = GST+1:30	Send message 8 AM–7 PM UAE time
Australia East (AEST)	IST = AEST-4:30	Send message 11 AM–8 PM AEST
Canada (EST)	Same as USA East above

Email Booking

For travelers who prefer email:

Official email: srijanakimahaltrustofficial@gmail.com

Email the same details as listed above for WhatsApp. Allow 24–48 hours for email response. If you haven't heard back in 48 hours, follow up via WhatsApp.

Booking via This Website

This site provides official booking information at /booking and /official-booking. These pages connect you to the same official contact channels.

Payment Options for International Visitors

Payment at Sri Janaki Mahal Trust is typically made upon arrival in Indian Rupees (INR).

This is standard for dharmshala accommodation in India. There is no requirement to pay in advance through an online gateway.

How to have INR ready as an international visitor:

Airport currency exchange: Mumbai, Delhi, and Lucknow airports have currency exchange counters. This is convenient but rates are often less favorable than other options.

International ATMs in India: Withdraw INR directly from ATMs in India. Your home bank debit/credit card will work at most Indian ATMs (Visa/Mastercard networks). Check:

• Your bank's international withdrawal fees (typically ₹150–500 per transaction)
• Your daily withdrawal limit for international use
• Whether your bank has a partnership with any Indian bank for fee-free withdrawals

ATMs near Sri Janaki Mahal Trust: Multiple ATMs (SBI, HDFC, PNB) are available within the Ayodhya pilgrimage area. Full guide: /atm

Wise/Revolut for UK/EU travelers: These multi-currency cards offer near-interbank exchange rates for INR withdrawals and are increasingly popular with overseas Indian pilgrims.

What to avoid:

• Do not pay advance booking deposits via international wire transfer to personal accounts
• Do not send Western Union/MoneyGram payments to individuals claiming to be Trust staff
• All legitimate payment for your stay is made in person upon arrival at Sri Janaki Mahal Trust

Getting to Ayodhya from International Entry Points

Most international visitors will fly into India at one of the major airports and then travel onward to Ayodhya:

Via Delhi (Indira Gandhi International Airport — DEL)

Delhi is the most common entry point for visitors from the UK, USA, Canada, Europe, and Gulf.

Options from Delhi to Ayodhya:

• Train from New Delhi station: Lucknow Mail, Shramjeevi Express, and other trains serve Ayodhya via Lucknow. Journey: approximately 6–8 hours. Recommended: book 2nd AC or 3rd AC for comfort.
• Train from Delhi to Lucknow + Lucknow to Ayodhya: Rajdhani or Shatabdi to Lucknow (4–5 hours), then local train (2–2.5 hours) or cab to Ayodhya.
• Flight from Delhi to Ayodhya: Maharishi Valmiki International Airport Ayodhya (AYJ) now has direct flights from Delhi (IndiGo, Air India). Flight time approximately 1 hour.
• Road: 625 km by road; 8–10 hours. Not recommended for first-time visitors due to road conditions.

IRCTC for train booking: foreigners can book Indian trains at irctc.co.in. A foreign debit/credit card (Visa/Mastercard) works for payment. Note: booking opens 120 days in advance; popular trains fill up for peak pilgrim periods.

Via Lucknow (Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport — LKO)

Lucknow is the closest international airport to Ayodhya (approximately 130 km).

Options from Lucknow:

• Train: Multiple daily trains from Lucknow to Ayodhya Dham (1.5–2.5 hours)
• Cab/taxi: Approximately 2.5–3 hours via highway. Pre-booked cab through verified services recommended.
• Bus: UP State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) buses operate from Lucknow bus station

Via Mumbai (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport — BOM)

For visitors from the USA (East Coast), UK, and Gulf arriving in Mumbai:

Options:

• Direct flight from Mumbai to Ayodhya (Maharishi Valmiki Airport) — check current IndiGo/Air India schedules
• Train from Mumbai Central to Ayodhya (via multiple routes, 20–24 hours)
• Flight from Mumbai to Lucknow (approximately 1.5 hours) + transfer to Ayodhya

What to Expect at Sri Janaki Mahal Trust as an International Visitor

Room Standards

Sri Janaki Mahal Trust is a dharmshala — a charitable rest house for pilgrims. International visitors should understand that:

• Rooms are clean, functional, and suitable for pilgrimage purposes
• They are not equivalent to international hotel standards (no minibar, no bellhop service, no hotel spa)
• This simple environment is actually ideal for the contemplative purpose of pilgrimage
• AC and non-AC rooms are available; confirm preference when booking
• Hot water is generally available for bathing in the morning

For room types and pricing: /rooms

Food and Dietary Requirements

Ayodhya is a strictly vegetarian city — meat, fish, and eggs are not available anywhere in the main pilgrimage area. This is ideal for Hindu pilgrims and vegetarians of all backgrounds.

For international visitors who follow non-vegetarian diets at home, Ayodhya's rich vegetarian cuisine may be a different but enjoyable experience:

• Fresh dal (lentil curry), sabzi (vegetable dishes), roti, and rice form the core
• Street food is excellent and varied (chaat, kachori, puri-sabzi)
• Many establishments serve lassi, chai, and fresh juices

For visitors with specific dietary needs (gluten-free, diabetes-related, severe allergies): communicate your requirements when booking. Local food is naturally low in processed ingredients, but communication is important for specific requirements.

Language

While Ayodhya's primary language is Hindi, English is sufficient for managing most pilgrimage logistics:

• Staff at Sri Janaki Mahal Trust can communicate basic information in English
• Google Translate with the Hindi option is highly useful for reading signs and communicating with vendors who don't speak English
• Learn a few key Hindi phrases: "Kitna paisa?" (How much does it cost?), "Kahan hai?" (Where is it?), "Dhanyavad" (Thank you), "Jai Shri Ram" (universal greeting in Ayodhya)

Temple Entry for Foreign Nationals

Ram Mandir and most Ayodhya temples are open to all visitors regardless of nationality or religion. There are no restrictions on non-Hindus entering Ram Mandir. However:

• Dress respectfully: covered shoulders and legs for all genders; no shorts or sleeveless tops inside the temple complex
• Follow the same security and queue procedures as all pilgrims
• Mobile phones and bags must be deposited at cloak rooms before entering the sanctum
• Photography rules vary by zone; follow temple staff instructions
• Be respectful of the religious significance of the space

Safety Tips Specifically for International Visitors

International tourists in any Indian pilgrim city attract a higher rate of attention from touts, guides, and scammers. Practical advice:

• Pre-arrange transportation: Book confirmed transport from Ayodhya station to Sri Janaki Mahal Trust in advance; don't take rides from strangers approaching you at the station
• Carry photocopies of passport: Keep originals secured; carry a photocopy for daily use
• Use only official booking contact (+91 8796208759): Do not engage with "guides" who offer to help you book accommodation
• Register your travel with your home country's embassy: For travel to India, this is standard advice from most governments (e.g., STEP program for US citizens; FCDO registration for UK citizens)
• Travel insurance: Ensure your policy covers India and includes medical evacuation if needed

Conclusion: A Warm Welcome for International Pilgrims

Ayodhya has been the spiritual heart of the Hindu world for millennia. Lord Ram's birthplace transcends national borders — the Ramayana is part of the cultural heritage of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, Bali, Cambodia, and communities across the globe.

Whether you are coming from London or Nairobi, Sydney or Toronto, Houston or Kuala Lumpur, your pilgrimage to Ram Mandir is welcomed and honored at Sri Janaki Mahal Trust.

Come with a open heart, carry your passport, and book your room directly:

• Official booking: /official-booking
• Booking form: /booking
• WhatsApp and contact: /contact-number (+91 8796208759)
• Email: srijanakimahaltrustofficial@gmail.com
• Room types: /rooms
• Location: /location