Kanak Bhawan at a glance
Kanak Bhawan lies to the north-east of the Ram Janmabhoomi site, in Ramkot. Rama and Sita are its main deities. The building has a cream coloured facade with arcades and small domed towers, and a courtyard with a central staircase.
The name "Golden Palace" or "House of Gold" is a traditional one. In Hindi it is Sone-ka-Ghar. It is a name handed down with the temple, not a statement that the building is made of gold. Kanak Bhawan is an easy addition to a day at the Ram Mandir, and our Ayodhya temple tours cover it with the other temples of the city. For the main temple, see the Ram Mandir page.
Our picks: tours with Kanak Bhawan
The pilgrimage day and the Varanasi day trip name Kanak Bhawan in their route; the full-day guide adds a local guide on site.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Ayodhya day trip from Varanasi
- Guide and boat ride
- Private air-conditioned car
- Hotel pickup and return
A long day covering Ram Mandir, Hanuman Garhi and Kanak Bhawan, with water on board. Lunch and monument entries are not included.
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Ayodhya full-day guided tour
- Local English-speaking guide
- Monument entries on the itinerary
- Hotel pickup by private car
A full day with a local guide in an air-conditioned car, GST included. Ask before booking which sites the itinerary covers.
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Temples and Saryu aarti day tour
- Hanuman Garhi and Kanak Bhawan
- Saryu aarti in the evening
- Vegetarian lunch
A guided day with pickup and return. Darshan itself is free; the tour covers guide and transport, so ask before booking what the listed fast-track entrance includes.
Check availability →Ayodhya temple tours
Guided visits that include Kanak Bhawan, Hanuman Garhi and the other temples of Ayodhya, with live prices and availability.
The tradition behind Kanak Bhawan
By tradition, Kanak Bhawan was a gift from Kaikeyi to Sita after her wedding. This is a matter of belief, and it should be read as such. The later renewal of the temple is attributed to Vrish Bhanu Kunwari.
No Ramayana-era building survives here. What you see today is a temple that has been renewed over time, and the story is part of why pilgrims come. Treat the tradition as faith, not as a date in building history.
Kanak Bhawan timings
Kanak Bhawan is open daily. One timetable is 08:00–11:00 in the morning and 16:30–21:00 in the evening, without a seasonal difference. Another is a seasonal pattern: in summer 08:00–11:30 and 16:30–21:30, and in winter 09:00–12:00 and 16:00–21:00. Check which pattern applies on the day you go.
To be safe in every case, plan your visit for 09:00–11:00 in the morning or 16:30–21:00 in the evening. Both windows fall inside all of the patterns above. Check the hours on the day you go.
Fees, rules for children, photography and reservations are decided by the temple, so ask on site. The hours do not follow the Ram Mandir timetable, so look at the darshan timings before you fix the order of your day.
Dashrath Mahal
A separate stop on the route through Ayodhya.
What it is
Dashrath Mahal is a separate stop on the tourist route through Ayodhya. It is its own place, not part of Kanak Bhawan.
What to expect
Ask on site about the age of the building, whether you can enter the interior and the opening hours.
Fees and hours
Fees and times for Dashrath Mahal can differ from those of Kanak Bhawan. Ask on site.
Kanak Bhawan in a day of temples
A way to fit the three main temples together.
| Place | Hours | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Hanuman Garhi | 04:00–22:00 | A midday break is possible |
| Ram Mandir | Doors 04:00–22:00, general darshan from 07:00 | Winter schedule from 1 November 2026 |
| Kanak Bhawan | 08:00–11:00 and 16:30–21:00 | Seasonal hours may differ |
For most visitors, the simplest plan is the Ram Mandir after general darshan begins, Kanak Bhawan in the late morning and Hanuman Garhi either at dawn or in the afternoon. Finish at the Saryu ghats in the evening. Each place has its own rules, and there is no single ticket for all of them.
Getting there and staying nearby
Ayodhya has its own airport (AYJ), and Lucknow (LKO) is an alternative. Check the airport page and getting to Ayodhya for the options. For a place to sleep close to the temples, read where to stay. More sights are on the page about places to visit in Ayodhya.
Kanak Bhawan: frequently asked questions
Is Kanak Bhawan really made of gold?
No. "House of Gold" is a traditional name. It does not say that the building is made of gold.
What are the Kanak Bhawan timings?
The hours are 08:00–11:00 and 16:30–21:00, or in a seasonal pattern 08:00–11:30 and 16:30–21:30 in summer and 09:00–12:00 and 16:00–21:00 in winter. The windows 09:00–11:00 and 16:30–21:00 fit all patterns.
Who are the deities of Kanak Bhawan?
Rama and Sita are the main deities.
Where is Kanak Bhawan?
It lies to the north-east of the Ram Janmabhoomi site, in Ramkot.
Can I visit Dashrath Mahal on the same trip?
Dashrath Mahal is a separate stop on the route through Ayodhya. Ask on site about access and hours.