Despite the prevailing heatwave in various regions of the country, there has been a notable surge in the number of devotees visiting Shri Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.
Devotees can be seen carrying umbrellas as they patiently stand in long queues, eagerly awaiting their turn to catch a glimpse of ‘Ramlala.’ When asked, they expressed their determination to seek Ramlala’s blessings despite the hot weather.
Arpana Vajpayee, a devotee, remarked, “The heat is escalating, and I advise everyone to bring umbrellas and dupattas to shield themselves. The temple administration has made adequate arrangements, ensuring all necessities are available inside the premises. Although it takes about an hour for the darshan, the experience is fulfilling.”
An elderly visitor mentioned coping with the intense heat by staying hydrated with lemon water (shikanji) and shared plans of heading to Varanasi to participate in the final phase of the Lok Sabha elections.
Aradhana Patel, who traveled from Jabalpur, praised the temple’s arrangements despite the challenging weather, highlighting the overall amazing experience.
Abhishek Vajpayee commended the excellent arrangements, including facilities for storing luggage and water stations strategically placed to minimize inconvenience to devotees, making it a wholesome experience.
Recent data indicates a growing inclination towards religious tourism post-COVID, with significant tourist footfall in Varanasi (Kashi), Prayagraj, and the Ayodhya Ram temple since its consecration ceremony. Experts predict Varanasi surpassing tourist destinations like Goa, Agra, and Shimla.
Preeti Srivastava, Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism, Uttar Pradesh government, mentioned the transformative impact of initiatives like the Kashi Vishwanath corridor, which attracted over 10 crore tourists in 2023, reshaping the tourism landscape.
The Uttar Pradesh government is actively promoting the “golden triangle” of Prayagraj, Kashi, and Ayodhya as a premier destination for religious tourism.