1. Ram temple opening day attracts five lakh devotees.
2. Security personnel face challenges controlling crowds.
3. Temple complex experiences congestion on the main thoroughfare
Ayodhya, Jan 24: On the first day of opening its doors to the public, the Ram temple complex witnessed a massive influx of around five lakh devotees, causing significant challenges for security personnel to manage the crowds.
The entry to the temple complex commenced at 6 am, and as the day progressed, the thronging devotees overwhelmed the main gateway and the streets of Ayodhya, leading to congestion on Ram Path, the main thoroughfare.
The total footfall at the temple complex on the inaugural day was approximately five lakh, according to Shishir, the Director of Information for the Uttar Pradesh government.
By 8.30 pm, an estimated four lakh people had visited the temple, with the figure standing at around 2.5 lakh at 2 pm.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath conducted an aerial inspection of the temple site and the city in the evening, offering necessary guidelines for crowd management.
In the afternoon, the crowd became unmanageable for a brief period, leading to security personnel struggling to maintain order.
Devotees waited in serpentine queues, and there were reports of some facing difficulties due to the overwhelming rush.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited the temple, discussing crowd management with trust officials and ensuring necessary arrangements for a smooth darshan of Ram Lalla.
Despite the challenges, devotees expressed their joy and fulfillment at being part of this historic event.
Security personnel, numbering more than 8,000, were deployed at the temple, with authorities implementing measures for crowd control, including holding areas, queuing, and barricading. Rumors of a temporary closure due to heavy rush were refuted by Ayodhya police.
Carrying flags with the images of Lord Ram and chanting “Jai Shri Ram,” devotees braved the cold weather, some waiting for hours before the temple doors opened.
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Many shared their journey, with one devotee cycling over 600 kilometers from Bihar and another walking from Chhattisgarh as part of a padyatra.
The temple complex, constructed in the traditional Nagara style, stands 380 feet long, 250 feet wide, and will eventually reach 161 feet at the shikhar (spire).
The overwhelming response on the first day highlights the deep reverence and enthusiasm among the devotees for the Ram temple.
