Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will hoist a flag at the Maa Annapurna temple located inside the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple complex in Ayodhya on Wednesday. The ceremony will be held as part of the Prana Pratishtha Dwadashi celebrations. The flag will be raised on the 65-metre-high spire of the Maa Annapurna temple.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will also attend the event.
Leaders to Visit Ram Mandir and Address Gathering
Confirming the visit, Champat Rai, general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirath Kshetra Trust, said, “Defence minister Rajnath Singh and CM Yogi Adityanath will visit Ayodhya on December 31. After darshan and aarti at Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, they will address the gathering at Angad Tila grounds.”
Rai also said that Rajnath Singh will offer prayers at the Ram Mandir and Ram Darbar on the first floor and will tour the temple complex.
Second Anniversary Celebrations Underway
The second anniversary celebrations of the Ram Mandir began on December 27 with Mandal Path and will continue until January 2.
Mandal Path is being held under the guidance of Jagadguru Madhvacharya Swami Vishwaprasanna Teertha Maharaj of Pejawar Math in Udupi. Scholars from South India are also performing Vedic rituals during the ceremonies.
Large Number of Devotees Expected
According to the Ayodhya administration, around five to six lakh devotees are expected to arrive in the city on December 31 for Ramlalla’s darshan.
To manage the huge crowd, entry of vehicles into Ayodhya has been restricted and 36 parking areas have been created.
Special Arrangements for Crowd Control
CP Tripathi, the superintendent of police of Ayodhya, said special holding areas have been set up where devotees will be asked to wait if there is overcrowding at the Ram Mandir.
The town has been divided into five zones and 10 sectors. Nodal officers have been appointed at different venues to monitor every activity.
Tight Security Across Ayodhya
Security has been strengthened not only at the Ram temple but also at Nageshwarnath, Hanumangarhi, Kanak Bhawan, Rampath and the Saryu ghats.
Around 3,000 police personnel have been deployed in the city. This includes four additional superintendents of police, nine DSPs, 50 inspectors, 150 sub-inspectors and constables from other districts.
CCTV, Drones and Anti-Drone Systems in Place
Five companies of PAC and paramilitary forces have also been deployed to maintain law and order.
The entire town will be monitored through CCTV cameras and drones. Anti-drone systems have been activated at various locations, and all activities will be watched closely from the police control room.