Ayodhya attracts a sea of devotees on first anniversary, and investments too

Since celebrations took place on January 11 itself, corresponding to Paush Shukla Paksha Dwadashi, no special events have been lined up on Jan 22

Hyderabad: January 22 marks the first anniversary of Shri Ram’s idol consecration at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. Last year on this day, the country witnessed the unveiling of the sacred idol with great devotion.

However, since celebrations took place on January 11 itself, corresponding to Paush Shukla Paksha Dwadashi, the twelfth day of the waxing phase of the moon in the month of Paush, no special event has been lined up on Jan 22.

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Nevertheless, the temple town continues to see huge crowds of devotees flocking to the shrine to have darshan of Lord Ram.

Adding to the first anniversary of Pran Prathista, the ongoing Kumbh Mela at Pragyaraj is also one of the reasons for the surge in devotees to the temple.

People who are visiting Maha Kumbh are also covering nearby religious places like Chitrakoot Dham, Ayodhya and Varanasi. It is estimated that more than 50 lakh devotees visited Ayodhya in the past 15 days.

With the Ramayana Circuit, the pilgrimage that begins in Ayodhya and ends in Rameshwaram, gaining popularity, the region around Ayodhya has become an attractive investment destination for both the Uttar Pradesh government and private players.

The ongoing Kumbh and makeover of Kashi have made it more lucrative.

So far, over 279 projects worth over Rs 32,508.20 crore have been launched in Ayodhya. These include hotels, transportation facilities, hospitality, waste management and horticulture by both government and private players.

Real estate is where the money is at present. While Abhinandan Lodha House has launched real estate and commercial projects with an investment of Rs 3,000 crore, PKH Ventures is planning a tourist facilitation centre with a budget of Rs 600 crore, which includes the construction of a 500-room hotel in the city.

Ayodhya is also set to get its first 5-star hotel with the Taj Group planning to build one in partnership with Pune-based realty firm Solitare. It will be ready by April next year.

Mathura and Varanasi are experiencing the spillover effects of these developmental works.

Around 277 projects with a total investment of around Rs 19,250 crore have been lined up in Varanasi. BHEL is setting up research and development (R&D) facilities and manufacturing units with an investment of Rs 500 crore.

Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, has lined up 415 projects worth Rs 16,600 crore. The city will also get a Rs 3,037 crore air separation unit.