The temple town of Ayodhya is gearing up for a massive influx of devotees and tourists as the new year approaches, marking the end of the first English calendar year since the grand consecration ceremony at the Ram Temple was held on January 22.
With nearly all accommodations in Ayodhya and neighbouring Faizabad fully booked, the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has extended 'darshan' timings for the devotees and made extensive arrangements to manage the anticipated crowd.
"We are ready to welcome the devotees this new year. All our rooms have been booked in advance till January 15," Ankit Mishra, owner of a local hotel in Ayodhya, said.
When last checked on Saturday morning, online booking platforms showed rooms still available at some hotels and lodges, even though a few establishments are charging upwards of Rs 10,000 per night due to the surge in demand.
Ayodhya has witnessed a spike in religious tourism since the consecration ceremony earlier this year, and while the Hindu new year in 'Chaitra' (March-April) holds traditional significance, the English new year is also seeing a rise in devotional fervour.
"A large number of devotees visit religious sites and offer prayers on January 1, seeking the blessings of Ram Lalla at the start of the year," Ramakant Tiwari, a local priest, said.
To ensure smooth crowd management and security, Ayodhya Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rajkaran Nayyar said, "There will be robust security arrangements at the Ram Temple, Hanumangarhi, Lata Chowk, Guptar Ghat, Surajkund, and other popular sites."
The temple trust has also made comprehensive preparations to handle the swelling crowd, particularly between December 30 and the first two weeks of January.
A trust representative said, "Extended 'darshan' timings and strategic arrangements have been made to ensure a seamless experience for all the devotees."
The consecration ceremony at the Ram Temple, which was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and hundreds of people from all walks of life, marked an upsurge in tourism activities in Ayodhya as well as Uttar Pradesh.
