As the consecration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on January 22 enters its final stages, and the countdown begins for one of the largest events of the decade, it is likely to generate business worth `one lakh crore across India due to the high demand for replicas of the Ram Mandir, printed kurtas, caps, T-shirts featuring the image of the Ram Mandir, flags, hotel bookings, diyas, mithai, etc.
The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) based its estimate on feedback received from trade associations in 30 cities across different States. Initially, trade bodies and shopkeepers expected to generate business worth over `50,000 crore. In Delhi alone, traders’ bodies are expected to do business worth over `20,000 crore, as temples, markets, and residents’ welfare associations are ready to decorate the national Capital like Ayodhya.
According to Praveen Khandelwal, the national secretary-general of the CAIT, traders had initially estimated a business of `50,000 crores. Still, given the tremendous enthusiasm among the people and the feedback received from trade associations in 30 cities across India, they have now revised the figure to `1 lakh crore by way of spending on the purchase of goods and availing different services for the events.
The demand for models of the Ram Mandir has also seen a rapid increase, and it is expected that over five crore models will be sold across the country, with small manufacturing units working day and night in many cities in different States. “Mass-scale devotional musical programmes, hiring a large number of traditional musical instrument players like dhol, tashe, nafiri, shehnai, band groups, and craftsmen for the preparation of tableaus for Shobha Yatra, etc., are also going to contribute significantly to the temple economy. Hoardings and other outdoor publicity on a large scale are also on the agenda. Electrifying markets will be another significant step in the celebrations,” Khandelwal said.
Speaking about the revised estimate of one lakh crore, Khandelwal highlighted that the passion and commitment of businesses and other sections of society towards the Shri Ram Mandir are resulting in the organisation of approximately 30,000 different programmes by trade associations across the country. These events include market processions, Shri Ram Chowki, Shri Ram rallies, Shri Ram Pad Yatra, scooter and car rallies, and Shri Ram assemblies.
Sharing details about the upcoming events in Delhi markets, Khandelwal said Delhi will also witness numerous cultural programmes, with folk dancers and singers coming from Vrindavan and Jaipur for performances in many markets.
“Over 200 Shri Ram Dialogue programmes will be organised, along with approximately 1000 Shri Ram Assemblies, Shri Ram kirtans, recitations of Shri Sundarkand, Shri Hanuman Chalisa, continuous 24-hour chanting of Ramayana, uninterrupted lighting of lamps for 24 hours, and devotional music evenings on a large scale are scheduled by trade associations. Besides, more than 200 major markets in Delhi and a large number of smaller markets will witness Shri Ram flags and decorations, with every market adorned with decorative lights. Over 300 Shri Ram processions and Shri Ram pad yatras are planned in various markets across Delhi, along with the lighting of thousands of clay lamps in all markets and at the homes and shops of traders.
Various associations are providing their members with 5 or 11 lamps,” he added.
More than 500 LED lights and sound systems will be installed, and drummers will play traditional instruments at over 300 locations. Additionally, around 100 Shri Ram processions will be held in markets, featuring banners and traditional attire, where women will participate in traditional attire with Shri Ram kalash on their heads. Delhi will also witness numerous cultural programs, with folk dancers and singers coming from Vrindavan and Jaipur for performances in many markets.
Khandelwal shared that the preparations to make Delhi an Ayodhya in every market have been undertaken by traders and business leaders, with more than 5000 hoardings planned by various business organizations and traders across Delhi.
