On the inaugural day of the Ram temple opening in Ayodhya, a diverse group of devotees embarked on a pilgrimage to witness the 'darshan' of Ram Lalla. Among them were a group of friends from Maharashtra, a trio from Kolkata, and a saintly couple from Odisha accompanied by their three-month-old langur named 'Bajrangbali.'
Palash Thange and Mayur Bhor, hailing from Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, expressed their excitement about their first visit to Ayodhya. Adorned in shirts featuring an image of the Ram temple and 'Jai Shri Ram,' they visited the Hanumangarhi temple in the morning, captivated by the city's vibrant decorations.
The atmosphere on the main thoroughfare, Ram Path, was bustling with devotees from various parts of the country, causing congestion as the temple town was filled with religious fervor. The entry of devotees into the temple complex began at 6 am, and by 2 pm, an estimated 2.5 lakh people had visited, as per Ayodhya Divisional Commissioner Gaurav Dayal.
Suresh Kumar and his friend, first-time visitors from Chhattisgarh, undertook a challenging journey to reach Ayodhya, highlighting the devotion and eagerness to have a 'darshan' of Ram Lalla.
The streets echoed with 'Ram dhun' and popular songs as security personnel managed the large crowd, with devotees chanting 'Jai Shri Ram.' The vibrant atmosphere was further enhanced by 'bhandaras' (community kitchens) serving food, and the sale of Maharashtrian 'faita' (headgear) for Rs 100 each.
Chatur Sagar and his wife Hirawati Sagar, a saintly couple from Odisha, visited Ayodhya with their unique companion, a three-month-old langur named 'Bajrangbali.' They expressed their reverence for Ayodhya as the 'nagari' (town) of Prabhu Shri Ram.
The streets of Ayodhya resembled a festive fair, with saffron dominating the color scheme. Visitors from Kolkata, donning matching saffron attire and religious scarves, were elated to be part of the historic moment.
Overall, the first day of the Ram temple opening in Ayodhya witnessed a diverse congregation of devotees, each expressing their unique connection and devotion to Lord Ram.
(With Agency Inputs)
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