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The grand Ram Mandir at Ayodhya, located on the sacred Shri Ram Janmabhoomi, was inaugurated on January 22, 2024. A magnificent Pran Pratishtha ceremony was held to consecrate the idol of Ram Lalla in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. This historic event welcomed saints, scholars, political leaders, Bollywood stars, and business dignitaries from across the nation. As the year comes to a close, let us reflect on the temple's impact and its massive influx of devotees over the past year.
The Inauguration and First Days
On the day of the inauguration, over 5 lakh devotees visited the temple to seek blessings from Ram Lalla, the divine child form of Lord Ram. A month later, the number of visitors ranged between 1 lakh to 1.5 lakh per day. The temple officially opened its doors to the public on January 23, 2024. In the next 12 days, Ayodhya welcomed approximately 24 lakh visitors, a record-breaking figure compared to previous years.
In contrast, Ayodhya saw a total of 19 lakh visitors in the entire year of 2023. By February 5, 2024, the Uttar Pradesh government recorded a staggering 27.8 lakh devotees visiting the temple and Ayodhya since the inauguration.
Unmatched Pilgrimage Numbers
Ram Mandir's popularity has made it one of the most-visited pilgrimage sites in the world, surpassing destinations like Mecca and the Vatican. Uttar Pradesh's tourism department reported that over 11 crore devotees visited Ayodhya and Ram Mandir in the first half of 2024 alone.
To put this into perspective, the total number of visitors to other Uttar Pradesh tourist destinations during the same period was 33 crore. This shows Ayodhya's growing importance as a spiritual and cultural hub.
Impact on Air Travel
The temple's opening also boosted air travel to Ayodhya. By December 2023, around 8.1 lakh passengers had arrived via the Maharishi Valmiki Airport. The total number of passengers for 2024 will be revealed in March 2025, but the early numbers reflect a significant rise in air travel due to the temple's popularity.
The inauguration of Ram Mandir has not only revitalized Ayodhya's spiritual significance but also transformed it into a global pilgrimage destination. The overwhelming number of devotees underscores the temple's importance in the hearts of millions. As 2024 comes to an end, the temple continues to inspire devotion and unite people from all walks of life.
