Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh: In a grand display of devotion and celebration, over 2.5 lakh devotees flocked to Ayodhya’s Ram Temple on the first day it opened its doors to the public following the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony held on January 22. The sheer enthusiasm and devotion of the pilgrims resulted in a joyous and crowded atmosphere, with a similar number of eager devotees waiting for their turn to have a glimpse of Ram Lalla.
The Uttar Pradesh government, anticipating the large turnout, had deployed over 8,000 security personnel to ensure the orderly movement of the devotees. Senior officials, including Uttar Pradesh Special DG (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar and Principal Secretary (Home), were present inside the temple premises to monitor the situation and maintain a smooth flow of the crowd.
Devotees from various parts of the country made their way to Ayodhya to participate in this historic event. Tejender Singh, a devotee from Chandigarh, expressed his joy, saying, “We are very pleased. We are touched even more to come to terms with the fact that we are going to have ‘darshan’ of the Ram Lalla.” He acknowledged the expected crowd, stating, “Lakhs of people will have the darshan of Lord Ram. So it is bound to be crowded.”
Highlighting the lengths some devotees went to express their devotion, a pilgrim from Odisha shared his journey of 1224 kilometers on a bike to reach Ayodhya. “I have come from Odisha’s Puri to Ayodhya on a bike to have darshan of Lord Ram Lalla. It was a journey of 1224 kilometers. I was very eager to have the ‘darshan’ of Lord Ram Lalla,” he said, emphasizing the significance of visiting a temple that had been awaited for over 500 years.
The ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony held on January 22 was a momentous occasion, marked by unbridled celebrations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed the main rituals, officiated by a select complement of priests. Celebrations resonated across the country as devotees rejoiced in the return of Lord Ram to his throne in Ayodhya.
The overwhelming response on the first day of the temple’s public opening reflects the deep-rooted faith and devotion of the people, making it a historic moment in the cultural and religious landscape of India. The devotees’ unwavering enthusiasm signals the beginning of a new chapter as Ayodhya’s Ram Temple becomes a focal point for spiritual pilgrimage and reverence.
Sources By Agencies
