Ayodhya begins major preparations for inauguration of Ram Temple

Preparations for the upcoming inauguration and consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple on January 22 are reaching their final stages with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath set to grace the occasion. The embellishments at Rampath, Bhakti Path and Sugriva Fort are nearing completion, with terracotta and fine clay murals adorning the walls.

Decorations include murals along the Dharma path depicting incidents from the Ramayana, complemented by artifacts reminiscent of Tretayuga. The temple building is full of painting, cleaning and artistic efforts in anticipation of the grand opening ceremony.

Rampath, a 13-kilometre road leading to Sahadatganj, has been widened to 40 feet, with establishments, buildings and shops adorned with vibrant paint on both sides. The main entrance of the Ram temple, named 'Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Road', will be illuminated and a 30-metre wide canopy will be installed on the road.

Beautification efforts extend to the Ramkatha Museum in Nayaghat, while the historically important Ram Ki Pauri has been cleaned and the capacity of pumping stations has been increased. Laser shows featuring Ram Katha every night and the renovation of 37 ancient temples in Ayodhya add to the festive atmosphere.

At the same time, the construction of a major railway station in Ayodhya, with modern architecture and extensive facilities, has been completed. Prime Minister Modi is expected to inaugurate the station, which will connect Ayodhya to key cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Pune, Kolkata, Nagpur, Lucknow and Jammu.

The trains will be operational from January 19, before the inauguration of the temple. After the consecration of the idol of Lord Shri Ram, the temple will be opened to public from January 23. The station offers amenities such as a food court, air-conditioned waiting room, escalators, elevator and Wi-Fi. IRCTC offers 24/7 catering service during pilgrimages.

Devotees from Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Bihar have flocked to Ayodhya to witness the ongoing construction of the Ram temple complex. On the security front, Ayodhya IG Range Praveen Kumar outlined a strict plan that includes multiple checkpoints, 2,500 CCTV cameras, restrictions on use of drones without permission and increased security along the river bank to ensure the safety of the event.