Ayodhya Junction Railway Station Code, Platforms, History, Popular Trains & Interesting Facts (2026)
Note: The station formerly known as Ayodhya Junction has been officially renamed Ayodhya Dham Junction. However, many travelers still search for it using the old name “Ayodhya Junction.” The station code AY remains unchanged.
Ayodhya Junction Railway Station, officially known as Ayodhya Dham Junction, is one of the most important railway stations in Uttar Pradesh. Located in the holy city of Ayodhya, the station is operated by the Northern Railway (NR). It serves millions of pilgrims visiting the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple and provides direct rail connectivity to major cities including Delhi, Lucknow, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Gorakhpur. Following its grand redevelopment, Ayodhya Dham Junction has become one of India’s most modern railway stations.
Ayodhya Junction Overview
| Particular | Details |
| Station Name | Ayodhya Dham Junction Railway Station (Formerly Ayodhya Junction) |
| Station Code | AY |
| Location | Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh |
| Railway Zone | Northern Railway (NR) |
| Division | Lucknow Division |
| Number of Platforms | 3 (being expanded to 5) |
| Number of Tracks | 5 |
| Elevation | Around 93 meters |
| Type | Major Junction Railway Station |
| Daily Passengers | Around 50,000+ (approx., higher during festivals) |
| Parking | Available |
| Waiting Rooms | Yes |
| Retiring Rooms | Yes |
| Escalators & Lifts | Available |
| Free Wi-Fi | Available |
| Nearby Airport | Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhya Dham |
History of Ayodhya Junction Railway Station
Ayodhya Junction was established in 1874 during the British era. For more than a century, it served as the primary railway station for pilgrims visiting Ayodhya. In December 2023, the station was officially renamed Ayodhya Dham Junction and underwent a massive redevelopment inspired by traditional temple architecture ahead of the opening of the Ram Mandir.
Today, the station offers:
- Grand temple-inspired architecture
- Spacious concourse areas
- Escalators and lifts
- Digital passenger information systems
- CCTV surveillance
- Spacious waiting halls
- Better accessibility for differently-abled passengers
- Modern reservation facilities
Ayodhya Junction Railway Station Code
The railway station code for Ayodhya Junction (Ayodhya Dham Junction) is:
AY
This station code is used while booking railway tickets through IRCTC, railway reservation counters, and railway travel apps.
Example:
- Lucknow to Ayodhya Dham Junction (AY)
- New Delhi to Ayodhya Dham Junction (AY)
Number of Platforms at Ayodhya Junction
Ayodhya Dham Junction currently has 3 platforms and 5 railway tracks. As part of the station redevelopment project, the number of platforms is being increased to 5 to handle the growing number of pilgrims and trains.
The platforms are connected through:
- Foot over bridges (FOBs)
- Escalators
- Lifts
- Digital display boards
Popular Trains from Ayodhya Junction
Ayodhya Dham Junction is served by several important long-distance and premium trains.
Some popular trains include:
- Vande Bharat Express
- Amrit Bharat Express
- Kaifiyat Express
- Saryu Express
- Ayodhya Express
- Chhapra–Lucknow Express
- Antyodaya Express
- Intercity Express
- Sadbhavana Express
- Humsafar Express
These trains connect Ayodhya with cities such as:
- New Delhi
- Lucknow
- Varanasi
- Prayagraj
- Gorakhpur
- Mumbai
- Ahmedabad
- Patna
- Kolkata
- Kanpur
Facilities Available at Ayodhya Junction
| Facility | Details |
| Free Wi-Fi | Complimentary Wi-Fi service is available throughout the station. |
| Waiting Rooms | Separate waiting halls are available for general, sleeper, and AC class passengers. |
| Retiring Rooms | Rooms and dormitories are available for passengers with valid railway tickets. |
| Food Courts | Restaurants, refreshment rooms, tea stalls, and snack outlets are available. |
| Cloak Room | Secure luggage storage facility is available. |
| Wheelchair Assistance | Available for senior citizens and differently-abled passengers. |
| Digital Information Boards | Live train arrival, departure, and platform information is displayed. |
| Parking | Dedicated parking facilities for two-wheelers and four-wheelers. |
| ATM & Banking | ATM facilities are available within the station premises. |
| Medical Assistance | Emergency first-aid facilities are available. |
| Ticket Booking Counters | Reserved and unreserved ticket counters are available. |
| Automatic Ticket Vending Machines | Available for quick ticket booking. |
| Clean Washrooms | Well-maintained washrooms are available throughout the station. |
| CCTV Surveillance | The station is monitored round the clock for passenger safety. |
Ayodhya Junction Ticket Booking
Passengers can book train tickets through:
- IRCTC website
- IRCTC Rail Connect mobile app
- Railway reservation counters
- Authorized railway booking agents
- Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs)
Both reserved and unreserved ticket facilities are available.
How to Reach Ayodhya Junction
By Road
Passengers can reach the station using:
- UPSRTC buses
- Private buses
- Auto-rickshaws
- Taxis
- App-based cab services
The station is well connected to all parts of Ayodhya city and is located close to the Ram Mandir.
By Air
The nearest airport is Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhya Dham, located approximately 10 km from the railway station.
Nearby Tourist Attractions
| Attraction | Approx. Distance |
| Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir | 1.5 km |
| Hanuman Garhi | 2 km |
| Kanak Bhawan | 2 km |
| Ram Ki Paidi | 2.5 km |
| Dashrath Mahal | 2 km |
| Nageshwarnath Temple | 2.5 km |
| Saryu Ghat | 3 km |
| Tulsi Smarak Bhawan | 2.5 km |
Interesting Facts About Ayodhya Junction Railway Station
- Ayodhya Junction was established in 1874 and has served pilgrims visiting the holy city for more than 150 years. It was officially renamed Ayodhya Dham Junction in December 2023 while retaining the station code AY.
- The newly redeveloped station has been designed with temple-inspired architecture, featuring domes, pillars, and sandstone-style facades that reflect Ayodhya’s spiritual heritage and the design of the nearby Ram Mandir.
- The station is located just a short distance from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, making it one of India’s busiest pilgrimage railway stations, especially during festivals such as Ram Navami and Diwali.
- As part of the redevelopment project, Platform No. 1 has been extended to nearly 1.5 km, allowing the station to accommodate long trains with 24 or more coaches.
- The station is being expanded with additional platforms, wider concourses, improved road connectivity, and modern passenger facilities to handle the rapidly increasing number of visitors arriving in Ayodhya.
- Along with Ayodhya Cantt (AYC), Ayodhya Dham Junction serves the city, but Ayodhya Dham Junction is the closest railway station to the Ram Mandir, making it the preferred choice for most pilgrims.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the station code of Ayodhya Junction Railway Station?
The station code of Ayodhya Dham Junction (formerly Ayodhya Junction) is AY.
How many platforms are there at Ayodhya Junction?
The station currently has 3 platforms, with expansion to 5 platforms underway.
Which railway zone manages Ayodhya Junction?
The station is managed by the Northern Railway (NR) under the Lucknow Division.
Is free Wi-Fi available at Ayodhya Junction?
Yes, passengers can access free Wi-Fi throughout the station.
Which is the nearest airport to Ayodhya Junction?
The nearest airport is Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhya Dham, approximately 10 km away.
Why is Ayodhya Junction important?
Ayodhya Dham Junction is one of India’s most important pilgrimage railway stations because it provides direct access to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. Following its redevelopment, it has become a modern railway hub capable of handling the growing number of devotees visiting Ayodhya throughout the year.
Conclusion
Ayodhya Junction, officially known as Ayodhya Dham Junction, is one of the most significant pilgrimage railway stations in India. With its modern temple-inspired design, expanding infrastructure, excellent connectivity to major cities, and close proximity to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, the station plays a vital role in serving millions of devotees and tourists every year. Its blend of historical importance and world-class redevelopment has made it one of the flagship railway stations of Indian Railways.
