Saryu Aarti at Naya Ghat
सरयू आरती, नया घाट
A nightly Aarti prayer with fire lamps, held at sunset on the steps of the main Saryu River ghat. Priests wave multi-tiered oil lamps while chanting and ringing bells, making it one of Ayodhya's most moving ceremonies.
The Saryu River is sacred in the Ramayana story. At sunset every evening, Naya Ghat and the neighboring Saryu ghats hold Aarti prayers. Priests in robes hold multi-tiered brass oil lamps and wave them toward the river, accompanied by conch shells, bells, drums and hymns. The ceremony lasts about 30 to 45 minutes. Visitors can buy leaf-cup oil lamps from vendors and float them on the river as prayers. The ceremony is free. Arrive about 30 minutes early to secure a spot, or watch from a hand-rowed boat on the river (bargain the fare, roughly ₹50 to 100 per person). Naya Ghat is next to the northern end of Ram ki Paidi and Lata Mangeshkar Chowk, so you can visit all of them in the evening.
Opening hours
Daily at sunset
Nearby sights
- Ram ki Paidi
- Lata Mangeshkar Chowk
- Nageshwarnath Temple
- Kanak Bhawan
- Tulsi Smarak Bhawan
- Hanuman Garhi
- Dashrath Mahal
- Ram Mandir (Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir)