Shri Ramayana Yatra Tour Itinerary
The Shri Ramayana Yatra is one of the most iconic spiritual circuits, retracing the epic journey of Lord Ram, Mata Sita, and Lakshman.
The two primary versions of the itinerary are the India–Nepal Rail Circuit (run on the Bharat Gaurav Deluxe Tourist Train by IRCTC) and the Sri Lanka Ramayana Trail Circuit.
Option 1: Domestic India & Nepal Ramayana Yatra (17-Day Rail Circuit)
This circuit covers major sites linked to the Ramayana across India and Nepal.
- Day 1–2: Ayodhya & Nandigram (Uttar Pradesh)
- Visits: Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, Hanuman Garhi, Ram Ki Paidi, and Bharat Kund in Nandigram (where Bharat ruled during Lord Ram’s exile).
- Day 3–4: Janakpur & Sitamarhi (Nepal & Bihar)
- Visits: Punaura Dham in Sitamarhi (birthplace of Mata Sita), followed by a road crossing to Janakpur (Nepal) to visit Ram Janaki Mandir and Dhanush Dham.
- Day 5: Buxar (Bihar)
- Visits: Ram Rekha Ghat (where Maharishi Vishwamitra’s ashram stood) and Rameshwar Nath Temple.
- Day 6–7: Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh)
- Visits: Tulsi Manas Temple, Sankat Mochan Temple, Kashi Vishwanath, and the evening Ganga Aarti.
- Day 8–9: Prayagraj, Shringverpur & Chitrakoot
- Visits: Triveni Sangam and Bharadwaj Ashram in Prayagraj; Shringi Rishi Temple at Shringverpur; Ram Ghat, Gupt Godavari, and Sati Anusuya Ashram in Chitrakoot.
- Day 10–12: Nashik & Panchvati (Maharashtra)
- Visits: Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga, Panchvati, Kalaram Temple, and Sita Gufa (where Mata Sita resided during exile).
- Day 13–14: Hampi / Kishkindha (Karnataka)
- Visits: Anjanadri Hill (birthplace of Lord Hanuman), Virupaksha Temple, and Vitthala Temple complex along the Tungabhadra River.
- Day 15–16: Rameshwaram & Dhanushkodi (Tamil Nadu)
- Visits: Ramanathaswamy Temple (where Lord Ram established the Shiva Lingam) and Dhanushkodi (starting point of Ram Setu).
- Day 17: Return Journey
- Conclude the circuit with a return to Delhi.
Option 2: Sri Lanka Ramayana Trail (6 Nights / 7 Days)
This itinerary focuses on the events of the Sundara Kanda and Yuddha Kanda (Lanka chapter).
- Day 1: Colombo ➔ Chilaw ➔ Dambulla
- Visits: Munneswaram Temple and Manavari Temple (the first place Lord Ram installed a Shiva Lingam in Sri Lanka).
- Day 2: Dambulla ➔ Trincomalee
- Visits: Koneswaram Temple and Shankari Devi Shakthi Peetham.
- Day 3: Trincomalee ➔ Kandy
- Visits: Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and Royal Botanical Gardens (associated with Ravana’s pleasure gardens).
- Day 4: Kandy ➔ Ramboda ➔ Nuwara Eliya
- Visits: Shri Bhakta Hanuman Temple in Ramboda (where Hanuman searched for Mata Sita) and Ramboda Waterfalls.
- Day 5: Nuwara Eliya
- Visits: Seetha Amman Temple & Ashok Vatika (where Sita was held captive), Gayatri Peetham, and Divurumpola (site of Sita’s Agni Pariksha).
- Day 6: Nuwara Eliya ➔ Colombo
- Visits: Panchamuga Anjaneyar Temple and Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara (where Vibhishana was crowned King of Lanka).
- Day 7: Departure from Colombo
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is included in the IRCTC Shri Ramayana Yatra package?
The all-inclusive train package generally includes AC rail travel (1AC, 2AC, or 3AC), 3-star AC hotel stays during off-train halts, all pure vegetarian meals (onboard and offboard), dedicated AC tourist buses for sightseeing, travel insurance, and IRCTC tour managers.
2. Can senior citizens undertake this journey comfortably?
Yes. The Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train is equipped with modern amenities such as sensor-based washrooms, shower cubicles, security guards, CCTV cameras in coaches, and onboard dining cars. The itinerary allows reasonable rest time between excursions.
3. What documents are required for the Nepal & Sri Lanka legs?
- Nepal (via Janakpur): Indian citizens do not require a visa or passport for land border entry into Janakpur, but must carry a valid original Voter ID or Passport. Non-Indian passport holders require valid visas.
- Sri Lanka: Indian citizens require a valid Passport (with at least 6 months validity from the travel date) and a Sri Lankan Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA/Visa).
4. Are all meals provided pure vegetarian?
Yes, all meals served onboard the train and at hotel stays are strictly pure vegetarian, with many providers accommodating Jain food options upon request.
5. Can I join or leave the train at intermediate stations?
For official IRCTC tourist train packages, boarding and deboarding are restricted to specific designated stations (e.g., Delhi, Ghaziabad, Kanpur, Lucknow for boarding; Jhansi, Gwalior, Agra for deboarding).
Would you like help customizing a private road trip itinerary for a specific section of the Ramayana circuit, or details on ticket bookings and pricing?