Trip to Ayodhya and Varanasi during November and December 2025 had all of that. It was soulful, full of color, and honestly, a little bit magical.
Why Ayodhya and Varanasi in Winter 2025?
You want to see northern India at its best? Go in winter. The weather’s just right — not too hot, not too cold. Skies are wide and blue, and both Ayodhya and Varanasi fill up with people from everywhere, all chasing their own piece of peace. November and December have this quiet charm. Perfect for wandering through temples, walking by the river, or just soaking up slow mornings on the ghats.
Day 1–2: Stepping into Ayodhya
Ayodhya welcomed me with a hush. Saffron flags fluttered above the lanes, devotional songs drifted in the background, and the whole city seemed to move to its own gentle beat.
First stop: Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. It’s finished now, bright and calm under the winter sun. Standing there, I felt this rush of pride and a kind of stillness I can’t quite explain — like I was brushing up against something ancient and huge.
Later, at Saryu Ghat for the evening Aarti, everything turned golden. Priests chanted, little lamps floated along the river, and their light shimmered on the water. I just sat there, letting the bells and river sounds empty my head.
A shopkeeper handed me a peda and smiled, “This place changes everyone.” Couldn’t argue with him.
Day 3: Onward to Varanasi
Next morning, I grabbed a train to Varanasi. Five hours rolled by in a blur of green fields, sleepy villages, and chai sellers shouting at every stop. Mustard blossoms, tiny shrines by the tracks — rural Uttar Pradesh drifted past the window.
By evening, I hit Kashi — that’s what locals call Varanasi. Here, life and eternity seem to shake hands.
Day 4–6: Varanasi — The City That Never Sleeps
Ayodhya feels like devotion. Varanasi? It’s something else. The first glimpse of the Ganga hit me hard. Hundreds of diyas floated across the water, priests led the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, and incense curled through the air. The whole scene pulsed with energy — like the city was breathing.
Next morning, I took a boat out at sunrise. The ghats woke up in a haze of soft gold, sadhus bathed in the cold river, and chants hovered over the mist. That moment sticks with you.
Later, I got lost in Varanasi’s alleys — drinking thick chai from tiny clay cups, biting into spicy kachori sabzi and hot jalebis, dropping by Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Every corner seemed to have its own story, its own memory echoing through the stones.
Travel Tips for Ayodhya and Varanasi (2025)
Best Time: November to February — the weather’s perfect.
Getting There:
Ayodhya — Easy train and road links from Lucknow (about 130 km).
Varanasi — From Ayodhya, hop on a train (5–6 hours) or drive (about 4.5 hours).
Where to Stay:
Ayodhya — Near Ram Janmabhoomi or Saryu Ghat for the best views.
Varanasi — Stay close to Dashashwamedh or Assi Ghat for temples and river walks.
What to Pack: Warm clothes for chilly mornings, comfy shoes, and a little bit of curiosity.
Reflections: Between Two Rivers
Varanasi Ayodhya trip wasn’t just about the temples or ceremonies. It was about finding something simple and honest — a sense of belonging, a quiet faith that just is.
