Over the past two months since the inauguration of the newly constructed Ram temple on January 23, a staggering 1.12 crore tourists have flocked to Ayodhya. The tourism department revealed that on an average day, approximately 1.25 lakh pilgrims visit the temple town to seek the blessings of Ram Lalla. However, this number surges to 1.5 lakh on Tuesdays and weekends.
Efforts have been made to streamline the queue system for devotees seeking darshan of the deity. Those who do not need to deposit their personal belongings in lockers can now expect to receive darshan within 40 min.
A senior officer from the tourism department stated that in 2017, the average tourist count was 1.79 crore. However, the allure of the Ram temple resulted in a staggering footfall of 5.75 crore tourists in 2023. This time around, it is expected that the numbers will rise significantly as families from various parts of the country are eager to visit the revamped Ayodhya and pay their respects to the resident deity.
Both the Union and state governments have shown great interest in upgrading the infrastructure to accommodate the anticipated surge in visitors starting from January 2024. “Hotel occupancy rates have seen a significant increase compared to previous years. The local administration, police, and government agencies have actively worked towards creating tourist-friendly infrastructure, especially in the vicinity of the Ram temple complex,” stated Gaurav Dayal, the divisional commissioner of Ayodhya.
The local police have been sensitized to effectively manage the crowds. “In addition to behavioural training, regular briefings are conducted to address any gaps noticed in day-to-day operations,” explained Praveen Kumar, the inspector-general of the Ayodhya division.
With an estimated 20 to 25 lakh people expected to visit on Ram Navami, which falls on April 17, the administration has already begun making extensive preparations. The temple may remain open round the clock for three days during the Ram Navami celebrations.
“We are currently devising a strategy to ensure smooth movement of pedestrians around the temple complex,” added Dayal. Extensive traffic diversions will be implemented, and ‘durries’ will be placed on the roads to shield devotees from the scorching heat.
