Ayodhya: As the city of Ayodhya anticipates the grand celebration of Ram Navami—its inaugural observance post the temple’s opening—the administration hopes to draw an unparalleled congregation of worshippers this Wednesday. The temple will extend its operations for 19 continuous hours, commencing with Mangala Aarti at 3:30 a.m. and concluding at 11 p.m.
The temple will be veiled intermittently for five minutes during the four distinct ‘bhog’ offerings to the deity. The Ayodhya officials are meticulously organizing the pilgrimage’s progression for the forthcoming significant event of the year, following the consecration ceremony held in January. ‘Ram Navami,’ the first major religious event since the temple’s unveiling, is expected to witness an extraordinary influx of devotees, according to an official from the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
The temple will operate from 3:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., with brief closures during the four ‘bhog’ offerings. The Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has advised esteemed visitors to postpone their visit to Ayodhya for the darshan of Ram Lalla until after April 19. “All visitors must use the same access route as other devotees to enter the Ram Mandir,” stated the Trust. “On the day of Ram Navami, beginning at 3:30 a.m. during the Brahma Muhurta, provisions will be made for the faithful to line up for darshan. Devotees can experience darshan of Ram Lalla until 11 p.m.,” it further elaborated.
To mitigate inconvenience during darshan, devotees are advised to refrain from bringing mobile phones and other valuable possessions. The Trust has established a pilgrim service center at Sugreev Quila. The public broadcaster Prasar Bharati will provide live telecasts of the celebrations at Ram Mandir on Doordarshan.
The Ayodhya Municipal Corporation plans to deploy approximately 100 LED screens throughout Ayodhya to broadcast live footage of the Ram Navami festivities at the Ram temple.
Crowd Management
As the festival honoring Lord Ram’s birth will occur on the ninth day of Chaitra Navratri, authorities are leaving no detail unattended to ensure the safe darshan of devotees. Members of the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust and district administration officials are concentrating on the task of crowd control.
Arrangements are in place for pilgrims who have been in Ayodhya for three days before the festival and plan to stay for an additional two to three days afterward. A series of measures have been implemented to facilitate smooth and secure entry and exit at Ram Janmabhoomi temple, while the Trust contemplates multiple access points for devotees to prevent overcrowding.
Officials are providing devotees with water and mats on open floors, considering the onset of warmer weather conditions.
“We have arranged for around-the-clock medical facilities, including extra beds in government and private healthcare institutions. Traffic management and robust security measures are also in effect. We are guaranteeing the availability and consistent supply of necessities like milk, sugar, tea, grains, and vegetables in temples, shelters, dharmshalas, and hotels hosting pilgrims,” stated a senior official.
Special Provisions
The authorities have also organized provisions for devotees to bathe in the sacred Saryu River. Focused attention is given to providing public toilets and maintaining cleanliness. Over 2,000 sanitation workers have been employed to uphold cleanliness standards. Anil Mishra, a trustee of the Ram Temple Trust, mentioned that a comprehensive plan was developed in advance to facilitate easy darshan for the devotees and ensure they experience no discomfort.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has been overseeing the preparations and instructed officials to guarantee top-tier arrangements for all attendees, according to Mishra. The Ram Navami festivities will begin with a sunrise offering. At noon, marking Lord Ram’s birth, a special prayer will take place. Devotees will recite hymns in honor of Lord Ram while holding his likeness in a cradle to celebrate the occasion.
Other highlights will include Rath yatras or chariot processions of Ram, his consort Sita, brother Lakshman, and devotee Hanuman. These processions will emanate from several temples, culminating in a gathering on the banks of the sacred Saryu River for a sanctifying dip.
