On the New Year day, a massive surge of devotion swept through Ayodhya, the city of Lord Rama, as devotees flocked temples to the Ram Temple and Hanuman Garhi to offer prayers and worship.
Since dawn on Thursday, a steady stream of devotees has been observed at both the Ram Temple and Hanuman Garhi.
From Lata Chowk to Nishad Raj Chowk, Ram Path has been crowded with devotees since morning. Anticipating the rush, the district administration had stopped all vehicles entering Ayodhya one kilometer before the city limits and diverted traffic.
The police administration is monitoring traffic, all routes leading to the temples, the Saryu Ghats, and Ram Path from the Naya Ghat Police Control Room.
Ayodhya’s Circle Officer Ashutosh Kumar said a huge crowd of devotees had gathered from the Saryu Ghats to the main temples of Ayodhya due to the New Year, especially at the Ram Temple and Hanuman Garhi.
The number of devotees at Nageshwar Nath Temple and the Saryu Ghats is also higher than usual.
Ramesh Das, the priest of Hanuman Garhi, said faith outweighs the weather; everyone wants to start the first day of the year with a darshan (sight) of their deity. A large number of devotees are taking a dip in the Saryu River before visiting the temples for prayers and worship on the first day of the year.
The youths who have come to Ayodhya for prayers and worship today are filled with immense enthusiasm, and Ayodhya is resounding with chants of “Jai Shri Ram.
“Hotelier Bal Krishna Vaishya said on New Year’s Day, people are coming to Ayodhya to have a darshan of Lord Rama. Earlier, the same young people would enjoy snowfall in the hilly areas with their families; today, they are making plans to come to Ayodhya.
Ayodhya’s hotels are full, the roads are full, and the temples are full. Even adverse weather is not a hindrance to having a darshan of their Lord.