Ayodhya

The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has decided that nine lakh diyas (earthen lamps) would be lit in Ayodhya during 'Deepotsav' this year, while an additional 45 lakh 'diyas' would be lit in the homes of the beneficiaries of the BJP government's schemes.

According to sources, the event is held every fifth year in which RSS volunteers are apprised and trained on how to propagate nationalism, Indian culture and promote Swadeshi along with other such issues among masses. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat will reach Ayodhya on Tuesday and attend the event for three days. It is being organised outside Nagpur after a long time.

Dhami, who is on a two-day visit to Ayodhya is the first Uttarakhand CM to offer prayers to Lord Ram after the Supreme Court paved the way for construction of the temple by ruling in its favour on November 9, 2019. Dhami will preside over the bhumi pujan event of an ashram on Sunday, which is being constructed by the Delhi Seva Dham.

Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Maurya said that this would be a tribute to the contribution of the late leader in the Ayodhya movement and his commitment to the Ram temple. One road in Lucknow, Prayagraj, Bulandshahr and Aligarh would also be named after Kalyan Singh. "The PWD department will soon complete the formalities in this regard," Maurya told reporters.

"A large number of devotees expressed their desire to see the ongoing construction work at the Ram temple site. Considering their request, the trust has decided to allow devotees to see the ongoing work of the temple," said Champat Rai, general secretary, Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.

Satish Chandra Mishra came on stage in Ayodhya, chants of 'Jai Shri Ram' filled the air. The BSP began his campaign with visits to the Ram Janambhoomi and Hanuman Garhi temples and went on to say that the former would be built when the BSP comes to power.

Talking to reporters at a press conference here on Thursday, Swami Govind Dev Giri, treasurer of the trust, said that he had studied all relevant documents in the past three days and found no discrepancy in the land deals. He said that Swami Vishwaprasann Teerth and Kameshwar Chaupal had scrutinised all documents with him.

He said that the trust is working to provide the Shri Ram Janambhoomi temple a grand look according to Vastu Shastra, to make the complex safe in all respects and convenient for the visitors. He said that important temples/places falling within the boundary of the construction wall and retaining wall in the east and west part of this temple have been purchased with mutual consent.

In a statement issued around midnight on Sunday, the Trust said, the current sellers had a registered agreement years ago at a price, and after the 'bainama' (sale deed) on March 18, they sold it to the Trust. Trust secretary Champat Rai, said, "After the Supreme Court order, a lot of people started coming to Ayodhya to purchase land.

Ayodhya's borders will be sealed and nobody, including seers from Haridwar Kumbh, will be allowed entry. Hundreds of seers were scheduled to come to Ayodhya to offer prayers at Ram Janmabhoomi temple on Ram Navmi. The district administration has directed devotees to celebrate Ram Navmi at home and curtailed pilgrim presence at temples.