On the inaugural day post the consecration ceremony, the Ram temple complex welcomed an impressive count of around five lakh devotees. The temple gates opened at 6 am, initiating a massive influx of worshippers that reached unmanageable proportions in the afternoon at the primary entrance to the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Ram Path, the central thoroughfare, witnessed a congestion as devotees thronged the temple town's streets. The Director of Information for the Uttar Pradesh government, Shishir, reported that the total footfall at the temple complex on the first day exceeded 5 lakh.
Ayodhya Divisional Commissioner Gaurav Dayal informed that by 8:30 pm, approximately 4 lakh individuals had visited the temple, with the number reaching around 2.5 lakh by 2 pm. The final entry for visitors was recorded at 10 pm.
As the crowd swelled, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath conducted an aerial inspection of the temple site and the city later in the evening. In a post, Adityanath shared, "Conducted an on-site inspection of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple complex in Ayodhya today. Necessary guidelines were also given to the officials to ensure easy and convenient darshan of Ram Lalla and to run all the necessary arrangements smoothly."
People, who had been camping in Ayodhya since before the consecration ceremony, waited in long queues outside the temple, enduring the biting cold. Ram Lalla's idol was consecrated on Monday, a significant event led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
On Tuesday, 'Ram dhun' resonated in the streets while security personnel maintained order. At one point, the crowd became overwhelming, leading to challenges for security personnel in maintaining control. The administration, however, assured that measures were in place for crowd management.
A post on social media by Ayodhya police refuted rumors of the temporary closure of the temple due to the heavy rush. Security guards formed a semi-circular human fence to manage the crowd, and loudspeaker announcements were made to maintain order.
Devotees, carrying flags with Lord Ram's visages and chanting "Jai Shri Ram," expressed their joy and fulfillment. Despite the challenges, their determination to have darshan of Ram Lalla remained strong. The grand temple, built in the traditional Nagara style, spans 380 feet in length, 250 feet in width, and will eventually rise to 161 feet at the 'shikhar.'
(With Agency Inputs)
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