Kanak Bhawan, Ayodhya - Timings, Festivals, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings

About Kanak Bhawan

At a distance of 2 Km from Ayodhya Junction, Kanak Bhawan is another Hindu temple located in the Tulsi Nagar area of Ayodhya. Situated to the northeast of Ram Janam Bhoomi Temple or Ramkot, Kanak Bhawan temple is dedicated to Lord Ram and his divine consort Sita.It is one of the popular temples to visit in Ayodhya as part of your Uttar Pradesh tour packages. The name Kanak Bhawan translates to Golden Palace and it features three golden-crowned idols of the deities beneath a silver roof within the sanctum sanctorum.

History & Mythology of Kanak Bhawan

It is thought that Kanak Bhawan was presented to Devi Sita by Kaikei right after her marriage to Lord Rama. This palace serves as the private residence of Devi Sita and Lord Rama. Throughout its history, it has undergone numerous reconstructions and renovations. The initial reconstruction was carried out by Rama's son Kush during the early phase of Dvapara Yuga. Subsequently, it was rebuilt by King Rishabh Dev (Tirthankara) in the middle of Dvapara Yuga, and it is also believed that Lord Krishna visited this ancient site during the pre-Kali Yuga period.

In contemporary times, the palace was first constructed by Chandragupta-II of the Gupta Empire. This was followed by renovations by Samudragupta in 387 AD. The temple faced destruction at the hands of Nawab Salarjung-II Ghazi in 1027 AD, but it was restored by Bundela Rajput Maharaj of Orchha and Tikamgarh, Maharaj Mahendra Pratap Singh, and his wife Maharani Vrishabhan Kunwari in 1891. This Bundela-style temple is currently overseen by the Sri Vrishbhan Dharma Setu Trust Private Limited.

Architecture of Kanak Bhawan

Kanak Bhawan exemplifies the Bundelkhand architectural style and stands as the most exquisite structure in Ayodhya. The central hall of the temple features arched doorways on three sides, while its sanctum sanctorum contains three pairs of gold-crowned idols of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita. The largest pair was installed by Rani Vrish Bhanu Kunwari. The medium-sized pair to its right is believed to have been established by King Vikramaditya, while the smallest pair is traditionally thought to have been given by Lord Krishna to a female hermit who was meditating on Lord Ram at this location. All these idols are adorned with lavish gold ornaments, that's why the temple is referred to as Kanak Bhawan, translating to a house made of gold.

Festivals of Kanak Bhawan

The Kanak Bhawan Temple located in Ayodhya is known for celebrating a variety of festivals, with Ram Navami, Dussehra, and Diwali being the most prominent. Rama Navami, marks the birth of Lord Rama, is celebrated with grand processions starting from Kanak Bhawan. Other notable festivals include Phool Bangla (flower festival), a 15-day Jhula Festival (swing festival), and Sharad Purnima.

Dress Code & Other Restrictions of Kanak Bhawan

The Kanak Bhawan in Ayodhya has a dress code that mandates visitors to don modest and traditional clothing. Men are expected to wear long pants along with shirts or kurtas, whereas women should opt for sarees, salwar kameez, or other forms of Indian attire that adequately cover the shoulders and knees. It is advisable to refrain from wearing Western garments such as shorts, skirts, and sleeveless tops.

Generally, non-Hindus are allowed to visit Kanak Bhawan in Ayodhya. However, it's important to remember that the temple is a sacred place of worship, and visitors should respect its religious traditions and customs.

Kanak Bhawan Timings

Monday: 8 AM - 11 AM & 4:30 PM - 9 PM
Tuesday: 8 AM - 11 AM & 4:30 PM - 9 PM
Wednesday: 8 AM - 11 AM & 4:30 PM - 9 PM
Thursday: 8 AM - 11 AM & 4:30 PM - 9 PM
Friday: 8 AM - 11 AM & 4:30 PM - 9 PM
Saturday: 8 AM - 11 AM & 4:30 PM - 9 PM
Sunday: 8 AM - 11 AM & 4:30 PM - 9 PM

Kanak Bhawan Entry Fee

Entry is Free

Best Time to Visit Kanak Bhawan

The optimal time to visit the Kanak Bhawan in Ayodhya is from October to March. This season offers a pleasant climate, making it perfect for exploring the sacred site and appreciating the tranquil atmosphere of the temple. For those seeking to experience the temple at its most spiritually vibrant, it is advisable to plan your visit during Ram Navami, and Deepawali. The summer months are characterized by dry, sunny, and humid conditions, so it is best to avoid traveling to Ayodhya during this period. The monsoon season brings moderate rainfall, which is also worth considering.

How to Reach Kanak Bhawan

About 151 Km from Ayodhya, Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow is the nearest airport that has direct flights from all major cities in India such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Patna, Bangalore, Raipur, Patna, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad & Pune. Ayodhya Junction Railway Station is connected by daily trains to the cities in Uttar Pradesh like Lucknow, Kanpur, Gorakhpur, Allahabad, Varanasi, and Delhi along with Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Bairelly, Jamshedpur, Chhapra, Farrukhabad, Chennai, Rameshwaram, Darbhanga, Ahmedabad, Muzaffarpur, Surat, Kolkata, Jammu Tawi, Kota, Patna, Bhopal, Dhanbad, Kota, Surat, Udaipur, and Jaipur. Ayodhya is well connected by bus from the neighboring cities in the state. One can reach Kanak Bhawan by hiring a cab, or an auto-rickshaw from all parts of the city of Ayodhya.