Drawing attention to the massive changes in Ayodhya recently, the UP government said that people who would have come to Ayodhya some years ago will not be able to recognise the place when they visit the city now.
A government spokesperson said that ahead of the consecration of the Ram Temple on January 22, the city has been decked with a grand entrance, shining sun pillars along the road, mural paintings, clean and wide roads, a clean Saryu river, beautified ghats and uniform shops.
“CM Yogi Adityanath has turned the city around over the past few years. Projects worth several thousands of crores have been implemented on the ground and now the city is finally ready to welcome devotees. Wide roads are the first sign of a developed Ayodhya that visitors will see. The sun pillars in the middle of the road are making the city look even more grand at night. The entry gate itself will give one the feeling that they are in a divine city. All along the roads one will be able to see wall paintings associated with Lord Ram,” the spokesperson said. He added that the terrible state of the Saryu river under previous governments was not hidden from anyone. CM Yogi Adityanath gave the river and the ghats a completely new look by spending crores of rupees to develop the ghats. Arrangements were being made to ensure that there was water along the ghats all through the year and now the government is preparing to operate a cruise and boats in the river.
SpiceJet has announced a special flight operation from Delhi to Ayodhya on January 21, 2024, exclusively for passengers attending the historic ‘Pran Pratishta’ ceremony, while IndiGo has launched a new route to Ayodhya from Ahmedabad starting January 11. In a seprate development, the newly inaugurated Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhyadham (MVIAA) has already received more than 40 requests for landing of chartered flights for the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ event on January 22.
A large veena has been installed at the Lata Mangeshkar crossing The Chowk has been established as a central point of the city which is attracting coverage from national and international media.Ahead of the inauguration ceremony, various cultural activities are taking place in the city, like students of the fine arts department making rangolis on the road leading to the Ram temple.
“Serving as a link between ancient and new Ayodhya, Ram Ki Paidi is not only a centre of devotion but also a delightful spot for families to spend time together, enjoying cultural events along the riverbank. The water of Saryu river has been brought here through an artificial channel and it has emerged as a positive medium towards realising the lost glory of Ayodhya as a heritage city,” he said.
The government has spent Rs 105.65 crore on various restoration and development projects at Ram Ki Paidi. The route to Hanuman Garhi temple has been decked with saffron on both sides.
