One million devotees throng Ayodhya for 14 Kosi Parikrama amid heavy rains

The 42-km-long 14 Kosi Parikrama is underway in Ayodhya with around one million devotees braving heavy rains in the city amid religious fervor and enthusiasm.

Despite the bad weather conditions and heavy rains, the devotees were unstoppable. Protecting themselves, using polythenes, sacks, and tarpaulins, they marched barefoot amid chants of “Jai Shri Ram”. Occasionally, they applied road mud to their foreheads and sought blessings with folded hands.

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According to the administration, around one million devotees have been performing the parikrama since early Thursday after taking bath in the Saryu River.
Eyewitnesses say it’s been raining heavily, leaving some parts of the route waterlogged and muddy.

Police and intelligence agencies were on high alert regarding the Parikrama. Drone cameras were monitoring the route while dog squads were also deployed. Large crowds of devotees have also gathered to visit the Ram Temple, Kanak Bhawan, and Hanumangarhi.

During the month of Kartik, followers of Sanatan Dharma perform the 14 Kosi and Panchkosi Parikramas. The Panchkoshi Parikrama begins exactly 24 hours after the 14 Kosi Parikrama.

According to the Hindu calendar, this year’s 14-Kosi Parikrama started at 4:51 a.m. on Akshaya Navami, October 30. It will continue till 4:40 a.m. on October 31. The Panchkosi Parikrama will begin at 4 a.m. on Dev Uthani Ekadashi, November 1, and will continue till 2:57 a.m. on November 2.

It is believed that each step of the circumambulation liberates one from the sins of many lifetimes.