45-Day Grand Kumbh Mela: Millions of Devotees Flock to Ayodhya
- Under CM Yogi Adityanath’s leadership, devotees in Ramnagari received security, facilities, and seamless darshan arrangements.
- An average of 10-12 lakh devotees visited Ayodhya daily from Makar Sankranti to Maha Shivaratri.
- Devotees visited Ram Temple and Hanuman Garhi, along with other spiritual sites in Ayodhya.
Ayodhya, March 1: The Prayagraj Kumbh Mela has set a new milestone, and Ayodhya witnessed an unprecedented influx of devotees during this 45-day festival. A historic turnout of 4 to 5 crore people is estimated, marking a significant spiritual event. For the first time, the doors of Shri Ram Lalla’s temple remained open for darshan until 1 AM to accommodate the massive crowd. Devotees widely praised the development efforts and administrative arrangements made by the Yogi government.
The surge of pilgrims began on Makar Sankranti and continued until Maha Shivaratri. From January 26 onward, Ayodhya saw a daily footfall of 10 to 12 lakh devotees. Pilgrims not only experienced the city’s spiritual aura but also explored its tourist attractions. Under CM Yogi Adityanath’s directives, the district administration ensured a warm welcome, providing security and smooth access to temple darshans.
Over 1.25 Crore Devotees Visited Ram Lalla
The primary attraction for visiting devotees was the temple of Shri Ram Lalla and Hanuman Garhi. The Ram Temple witnessed a record-breaking 1.25 crore devotees in 45 days. Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust member Anil Mishra stated that AI and door metal detectors were used to track the number of visitors. Additionally, devotees contributed an estimated daily donation of ₹15 lakh.
Boom in Hotel and Homestay Businesses
The massive influx of devotees significantly boosted Ayodhya’s economy. The demand for fruits, flowers, and prasad increased, while hotels, restaurants, and homestays saw a business boom. Many visitors booked homestays, benefiting local residents financially. The Yogi government’s homestay scheme has provided Ayodhya locals with a great opportunity for employment.
Well-Organized Administrative Arrangements
With the overwhelming number of visitors, the district administration put extensive measures in place. Facilities were arranged for 25,000 people, including shelters, sanitation, drinking water, and cleanliness. Traffic diversions were implemented, and holding areas were set up at city borders to manage the crowd effectively.
Preparations Begin for Ram Navami
Commissioner Gaurav Dayal stated that the 45-day festival was conducted with full security and crowd management, ensuring a smooth darshan experience for devotees from across the country. Given the massive turnout, a better master plan is now being prepared for the upcoming Ram Navami celebrations.
