Three youths drowned while taking a bath in Saryu River in Kotwali area of Ayodhya district here in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday.

Police sources said that Ravi Mishra, Priyanshu, Harshit Singh, Tanisq Yadav, Amarnath and Krishna Sagar, all residents of Kanpur, had come to Ayodhya to pay obeisance at Lord Ram temple.

"Before having darshan the youths went to take bath in Saryu River near Naya Ghat," they said.

Police sources said that while taking bath one of the youth went into deep water and started drowning.

"In a bid to save their friend two more youths also drowned. The deceased have been identified as Ravi Mishra, Priyanshu and Harshit Awasthi," they said.

Police sources said that the bodies have been fished out by the water police with the help of the local residents.

"The family members of the deceased have been informed," they said.

(With UNI inputs)