On October 18 – during Chhoti Diwali – when Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath lighted over 2 lakh earthen lamps on the banks of river Saryu he asked why previous Governments have not made an attempt to promote Ayodhya as tourist centre. The question has kindled hopes of local people and now they see a future of Ayodhya in Ram temple and emergence of city as religious tourist centre.
“This goes without saying that Ayodhya has a historic importance but no one used that history for economic gains. This is unfortunate that people have used History for political gains. The parties – both Hindus and Muslims – have grown in stature but Ayodhya is languishing,” Manish Kulshreshtha, a historian-turned-social activist said.
Suresh Kumar Singh, a student in Saket Degree College in Faizabad said that no one can disown lord Ram’s association with Ayodhya and youth is inclined for Ram Mandir. The mandir is okay with us but we also need job and employment opportunity. The Government should look for avenue to make the area prosperous, he said.
“Chief Minister had said that Ayodhya will be promoted as tourist place. If we have a Ram temple Ayodhya can be second Somnath. The region will prosper and local people will get employment,” he said. “People should find an amicable solution to this issue. Ram Nadir belongs to Ayodhya but Muslims should also realise that if temple comes up in this city they will also get employment.
He is not off the mark. The Muslims of Ayodhya form the supply chain of the needs of temples. The Muslims are the suppliers of flowers and some of them even stitch clothes of lord Ram, lakshman and Sita and other deities.
Official record suggests that over 30 lakh pilgrims visit Ayodhya annually – this figure does not include the crowd that regularly comes in melas. People from across the country –particularly from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bengal and South India visit Ayodhya for paying obeisance at local temples.
“This is a huge number and can help in reviving economy of the region. Why not develop Ayodhya in lines of Varanasi and Allahabad. Ayodhya is as important for Hindus as Varanasi is. The difference is Kashi symbolises moksha (salvation) while Ayodhya symbolises Karma — which asks people to fulfil his putra dharma and karm dharma. This is a matter of debate whether we have that kind of infrastructure to call Ayodhya a destination of religious tourism,” Dr Paresh Pandey, Associate Professor in Saket Degree College said.
“The fact is we do not have proper hotel in Ayodhya despite having such a good footfall of pilgrims. The dharamshalas are of poor quality. Only good hotels are found in in Faizabad and that very few in number,” Dr Pandey said. “Imagine having hotels with river facing rooms or rooms facing Ram temple. This will add to religious tourism and people will start flocking Ayodhya,” he said.
The economy of the region is religion driven. Pradeep Pathak said that every second month you have a religious festival in form of melas stretching from Magh to Kartik Punima Mela. These melas are organized at the bank of river Saryu and are source of income for the people and small traders, he said.
Md Ahsaan Rahim, an entrepreneur who runs a transport business opines that Temple or Mosque is a decision to be taken by Court but if you ask me I will suggest that government should revive sugar mills of the region. Revive the textile market of Tanda (region near Faizabad) which will give boost to local economy, he said.