Ayodhya Sees Surge in Devotees After Ram Lalla Consecration
Over One Crore Visit Holy Site in Three Months
Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, has witnessed a significant rise in devotees visiting the newly consecrated Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple since January 22nd, 2024. Over one crore and twelve lakh devotees have performed darshan (holy viewing) of Ramlala in just three months. This marks a sharp increase compared to previous years.
Daily footfall currently averages between one lakh and 1.25 lakh devotees, with numbers even higher during festivals and on Tuesdays, considered auspicious. The surge is attributed to the temple's consecration, a long-awaited event for many Hindus.
According to the State Tourism Department, this trend reflects a broader increase in Ayodhya's pilgrimage numbers since 2017, when the Deepotsav festival began. Here's a glimpse into the past few years:
- 2017: 1,78,57,858 devotees (1,78,32,717 Indian, 25,141 foreign)
- 2018: 1,95,63,159 devotees (1,95,34,824 Indian, 28,335 foreign)
- 2019: 2,04,91,724 devotees (2,04,63,403 Indian, 28,331 foreign)
- 2020: 61,96,148 devotees (61,93,537 Indian, 2,611 foreign) - Affected by the pandemic
- 2021: 1,57,43,359 devotees (1,57,43,359 Indian, 431 foreign)
- 2022: 2,21,38,805 devotees (2,21,12,402 Indian, 26,403 foreign)
- 2023: 5,75,15,423 devotees (5,75,07,005 Indian, 8,418 foreign)
The influx of devotees has had a positive impact on the local economy. Shops, restaurants, hotels, and vendors are experiencing a boom in business. The Uttar Pradesh government, under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, is actively developing Ayodhya to accommodate the growing number of visitors. This includes expanding road networks, constructing a world-class airport and railway station, and enhancing infrastructure within the city. As Ayodhya continues its transformation, it's poised to become an even more prominent pilgrimage destination for Hindus worldwide.
