In preparation for the upcoming events in Ayodhya, the Uttar Pradesh government aims to ensure complete arrangements for accommodation, food, shelter and cleanliness for devotees coming to the holy city for the darshan of Ram Lalla after January 22.
It may be mentioned here that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has visited many states in the last several months and invited people across the country to visit Ayodhya after the inauguration of the Ram temple. Following the directives of the Yogi government, arrangements are currently being made at the administrative level to accommodate 30,000 people every day. Considering the increasing number of devotees, additional arrangements will also be made.
In recent days, during his visit to Ayodhya, the chief minister, during inspection and review meetings, emphasised the importance of cleanliness, hospitality and good behaviour to ensure everything is in order for the event.
On the instructions of the chief minister, the local administration is making elaborate preparations for the lodging of devotees and tourists. For this, arrangements are being made in hotels, dharamshalas/guest houses, homestays/paying guest accommodations, tent cities/shelter places, dormitories etc. According to the current preparations, 7,200 people per day (PPD) will be accommodated in 60 hotels with 40 rooms each.
There is an estimated arrangement of 17 halls and 2,742 rooms in 171 dharamshalas/guest houses. Considering the accommodation plan for four people in 2,742 rooms and five people in 17 halls, it is anticipated that a total of 11,818 pilgrims/devotees can stay in Ramnagari and partake in darshan and worship.
Significant progress has been made under the homestay/paying guest scheme in Ayodhya. Currently, 570 properties have been onboarded. Each homestay consists of four rooms, accommodating a total of 4,400 people per day based on two persons per room.
At the government level, arrangements are being made for accommodating 5,400 people in two tent cities (accommodating 200 people each) and three shelter places (accommodating 5,100 people). Additionally, arrangements for 700 beds in the dormitories in three commercial complexes are being made.
During his recent visit to Ayodhya, Chief Minister Yogi inspected several tent cities and instructed officials to increase homestay-paying guest accommodations and tent cities in view of the unprecedented increase in number of tourists and devotees coming to the city.
Besides the administrative-level arrangements, he urged the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust and other related organisations to enhance their arrangements. He stressed on increasing the accommodation capacity to accommodate 30,000 devotees per day from January 22 to 26.
The chief minister has given explicit instructions to welcome, respect and treat the guests in accordance with the tradition of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ (guests are like gods). The place should be kept clean, with good sanitation facilities, provision of warm water and well-maintained bedding. Those deployed here should treat the staying guests with kindness, work with a service-oriented spirit, and ensure the regular cleanliness of restrooms for both women and men, without any negligence.