Ayodhya saw an overwhelming surge of devotees on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, with an estimated 50 lakh pilgrims arriving in the city over the past 72 hours to take a holy dip in the Saryu River. The influx is expected to continue until Vasant Panchami, according to an official statement.
The temple town was packed with worshippers throughout the day, with long queues stretching outside Ram Mandir and Hanumangarhi Temple, extending well into the night. As pilgrims from the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela make their way to Ayodhya, authorities are bracing for an even larger crowd in the coming days.
Efforts to Manage the Crowds:
To ensure smooth crowd management and maintain order, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has been personally monitoring the situation. He has instructed local officials to implement robust measures for crowd control and security. Heavy police presence has been deployed at key locations, and the entry of all types of vehicles into the fair area has been completely restricted.
On Mauni Amavasya, thousands of devotees gathered at the Saryu Ghats, with Chaudhary Charan Singh Ghat witnessing the largest number of pilgrims. After taking their ritual bath, many devotees proceeded to visit Hanumangarhi and the Ram Mandir. The massive crowds extended from Shringar Haat to the temple premises, where large queues formed for darshan.
Local Economy Boosted by Pilgrim Influx:
The influx of pilgrims has had a positive impact on local businesses, with vendors selling ‘prasad,’ hotels, and homestays benefiting from the increased demand. The health department has also been put on high alert, with doctors’ leaves canceled until Vasant Panchami to ensure sufficient medical support for the pilgrims.
Emergency services are operational 24/7, with 13 temporary health camps set up to provide immediate medical assistance to the devotees. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pushpendra Kumar confirmed that these camps will continue to operate until February 26 to cater to the medical needs of pilgrims.
Traffic and Accommodation Management:
In a bid to prevent congestion, traffic has been rerouted, with large vehicles stopped on highways and alternative routes designated. IG Praveen Kumar stated that traffic management is in place to handle the massive footfall.
Authorities have also increased accommodation capacity in Ayodhya, with municipal officials making arrangements to house around 30,000 devotees in temporary shelters. Municipal Commissioner Santosh Sharma assured that all necessary steps are being taken to ensure the comfort of the pilgrims.
Security and Safety Measures in Place:
In light of the growing crowds, ADG Zone Lucknow, SB Shirodkar, visited Ayodhya on Wednesday to review security and management efforts, including arrangements at Ayodhya Dham Railway Station. Divisional Commissioner Gaurav Dayal and IG Praveen Kumar also conducted reviews of key locations from the control room.
Notable visitors included Nepal MP Binita Kathayat, who traveled to Ayodhya after taking a dip in the Maha Kumbh.
The ongoing preparations and proactive measures reflect the authorities’ commitment to ensuring the safety, comfort, and seamless experience for the millions of devotees attending the religious festivities in Ayodhya.
