New Delhi: As the new year approaches, Ayodhya is preparing for a surge in devotees and tourists. This marks the end of the first English calendar year since the grand consecration of the Ram Mandir on January 22. The Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has extended ‘darshan’ timings and made extensive arrangements to manage the anticipated crowd.
Ankit Mishra, a local hotel owner, told PTI, “We are ready to welcome the devotees this new year. All our rooms have been booked in advance till January 15.” While most hotels are fully booked, some online platforms still show availability, though prices have surged, with certain establishments charging over ₹10,000 per night due to high demand.
Security stepped up
Since the consecration ceremony earlier this year, Ayodhya has seen a huge rise in religious tourism. While the Hindu new year in Chaitra (March-April) traditionally holds importance, there is now increasing devotion associated with the English new year as well.
To ensure smooth crowd management and safety, Ayodhya’s Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Rajkaran Nayyar, announced robust security arrangements at key sites such as the Ram Temple, Hanumangarhi, Lata Chowk, Guptar Ghat and Surajkund.
The Ram Mandir trust has extended ‘darshan’ timings and implemented strategic arrangements to offer a seamless experience for devotees, especially between December 30 and the first two weeks of January when visitor numbers are expected to peak. A trust representative affirmed, “We have made arrangements to ensure a smooth experience for all devotees.”
Ram Mandir consecration ceremony
The consecration ceremony of the Ram Mandir was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It drew hundreds of people from diverse backgrounds and boosted tourism in Ayodhya and Uttar Pradesh extensively. According to state tourism department data, the number of tourists visiting Uttar Pradesh rose from 32.18 crore in 2022 to 32.98 crore in the first half of 2024. The inauguration of the temple also led to a remarkable rise in tourism. Seven crore visitors recorded in January 2024 alone. This makes it one of the highest monthly visitor counts in the state’s history.
