Renowned Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan has expanded his presence in Ayodhya by purchasing 2 bighas (approximately 5,069 square meters) of land in the city. The property, valued at over `86 Lakh, has been acquired under the Harivanshrai Bachchan Memorial Trust from Mumbai-based real estate firm ‘The House of Abhinandan Lodha.’
The land registration was finalised on January 31 at the Sadar office by Rajesh Rishikesh. Sources indicate that Bachchan intends to establish the Harivanshrai Bachchan Memorial Trust on the site.
The plot, situated in Tihura Manjha, is just seven kilometers from the Ram Temple, making it a convenient 15-20 minute drive to the sacred site.
Bachchan has been increasingly associated with Ayodhya, having visited the Ramlala temple on February 9, 2024. During his visit, he remarked, “Ayodhya will now be a frequent destination for me. I have always been connected to the banks of the Ganges.”
This land acquisition is part of a larger development by the Lodha Group, which is building a premium township named ‘The Saryu’ along the banks of the Saryu River. Covering around 51 acres, this project gained prominence following the consecration of the Ram Temple on January 22, 2024. Speculation about Bachchan’s involvement in the project first arose when representatives of Abhinandan Lodha Group hinted at the possibility of him purchasing a plot.
Earlier reports suggested he was purchasing a 10,000-square-foot piece of land worth `14.5 Crore, though no official confirmation was provided.
Bachchan’s visit to Ayodhya on January 22 for the Pran-Pratishtha ceremony of Ramlala, accompanied by his son Abhishek Bachchan, added to the buzz surrounding his connection with the city.
During the event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen inquiring about the actor’s well-being, after which Bachchan had darshan of Ramlala.
On February 9, during his return to Ayodhya, Bachchan reflected on his father, the esteemed poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan.
He shared, “Whenever I travel, people often ask, ‘Since you live in Mumbai, how will we maintain a bond with you?’ My father had once shared a thought that stays with me. Although we were born in Allahabad and have lived in Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai, our roots will always call us back. That’s why I will continue to visit Ayodhya.”