Ayodhya (UP), Feb 3 (PTI): Ayodhya witnessed an overwhelming influx of devotees on Basant Panchami, as lakhs took a sacred dip in the Saryu River and offered prayers on Monday. According to the Uttar Pradesh government, the holy city has welcomed over one crore pilgrims since January 26, underscoring its growing spiritual magnetism.
The ritualistic bathing in the Saryu commenced at dawn and continued till the afternoon, after which devotees thronged various temples and muths for darshan. The Ram Temple and Hanuman Garhi saw long queues stretching until late evening, reflecting the fervent devotion of the pilgrims.
For the first time since the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla at the grand temple, the Maha Kumbh is being celebrated in Prayagraj, further amplifying the spiritual energy in Ayodhya. Anticipating the unprecedented footfall, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had deployed a dedicated team of officials to oversee arrangements and ensure a seamless experience for devotees. During a public meeting in Milkipur on February 2, he reiterated his instructions to officials, emphasizing that no devotee should face any inconvenience.
The air in Ayodhya reverberated with chants of "Jai Shri Ram," alongside praises for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath. The Ram Temple remains the epicenter of devotion, drawing nearly three lakh devotees daily. To facilitate darshan, the temple trust has extended its operational hours, keeping it open for 18 hours a day. Simultaneously, Hanuman Garhi continues to be a focal point of worship, reinforcing Ayodhya’s spiritual significance.
Basant Panchami celebrations were marked with vibrant festivities across the city's muths and temples. Saints and sadhus played with gulal, adding to the festive spirit, while Ram Lalla was adorned in new yellow garments, symbolizing the arrival of spring. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirtha Kshetra Trust confirmed that gulal was ceremoniously applied to the deity, and priests exchanged it as prasad, enhancing the spiritual ambiance.
As part of the sacred offerings, kheer, puri, dry fruits, and fruits were presented to the deity, further elevating the religious fervor.
To manage the vast crowds, IG (Ayodhya Range) Praveen Kumar detailed key measures including road diversions, designated parking zones, and heavy police deployment to ensure smooth movement and security. Entry to the fairgrounds was regulated under strict safety protocols.
Divisional Commissioner of Ayodhya, Gaurav Dayal, confirmed that officers are monitoring the fair zone round-the-clock, with provisions in place to accommodate 25,000 to 30,000 devotees at a time. Additionally, vehicles have been deployed to transport those sleeping in the open to designated shelters, ensuring their comfort and well-being.
With meticulous arrangements and an ever-growing tide of devotees, Ayodhya continues to stand as a beacon of faith, witnessing one of its most spiritually charged periods in recent history.
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