Ram Mandir, Ayodhya: History, Timings & Visitor Guide

The Ram Mandir (ISO: Rāma Maṁdira, lit. 'Rama Temple'), is a Hindu temple complex in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is one of the most visited Hindu temples in India, as many Hindus believe that it is located at the site of Ram Janmabhoomi, the mythical birthplace of Rama (a principal deity of Hinduism). The site of the temple had been the subject of a dispute between Hindus and Muslims, as it was the former location of the Mughal-era Babri Masjid, which was demolished by a mob. India's Supreme Court granted the site to Hindus, citing archaeological evidence of a religious structure predating the mosque.

Around 1529, the Babri Masjid was constructed at the site, under the orders of Mughal ruler Babur. In the 1850s, the British erected a fence, and Hindus were allowed to worship in the outer courtyard. In 1949, the Murti (transl. sacred idol) of Rama was placed inside the fence. In 1980s, a campaign was launched by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) to claim the site for Hindus, which led to the structure being attacked and illegally demolished in 1992. In a 2019 judgement, the Supreme Court awarded the disputed site to Hindus for the construction of a temple, while Muslims were given land nearby in Dhannipur in Ayodhya to construct a mosque. The court referenced a report from the Archaeological Survey of India of a non-Islamic structure beneath the demolished Babri Masjid.

A bhūmi pūjana (transl. ground breaking ceremony) for the construction of the Ram Mandir was performed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in August 2020. The temple's construction was supervised by a trust, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra. On 22 January 2024, Modi performed the prāṇa pratiṣṭhā (transl. consecration) of the temple. The number of daily visitors to the temple is estimated around 100,000 .

An independent trust, Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra, has been tasked with the management of the temple complex. There have been controversies over the alleged misuse of donations, sidelining of its major activists, and politicisation of the temple by the Bharatiya Janata Party. In 2026, the alleged theft of temple donations by some staffers led to investigations and changes in the trust leadership. Ram Madir has led to significant economic growth in Ayodhya including a new airport, revamped railway station, and township development.