The inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has significantly boosted tourism, drawing pilgrims and tourists nationwide. This surge has led to enhanced local infrastructure and highlighted Ayodhya’s cultural importance, establishing it as a prominent spiritual destination.

The Ramayana Yatra program, introduced by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), utilizes the advanced Bharat Gaurav Deluxe AC Tourist train. Its inaugural journey, starting on February 4, 2024, includes a Nepal tour connecting to Ayodhya, catering to spiritual enthusiasts interested in Lord Ram’s life events. The “Shri Ramayan Yatra” tour, designed for NRI tourists from the UK & Portugal, departed from Delhi Safdarjung Railway station on February 4 via the Bharat Gaurav Deluxe AC tourist train.

TRIPURA: The Indian Railways initiated another special “Aastha” train, transporting approximately 400 pilgrims from Tripura to Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. Chief Minister Manik Saha inaugurated the train from Agartala Railway Station on Wednesday. Saha expressed, “This marks the first instance where such a large group from Tripura embarks on a pilgrimage together to the holy site. People from across the nation are visiting Lord Ram every day. The inauguration of the Ram Temple has fostered a spiritual atmosphere nationwide.”

“I am delighted to initiate the train’s journey and witness this significant event at Agartala railway station this evening. Also, I distributed dry fruit packets among the pilgrims. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji and Hon’ble Minister for Railways Shri @AshwiniVaishnaw Ji for arranging this special train for the people of Tripura,” Manik Saha mentioned in a post on X.

MAHARASHTRA: The train, carrying 1340 passengers, faced a distressing situation when it was targeted with stones by miscreants near Nandurbar on 12 February. The incident stirred panic among passengers, prompting some to hastily close the window panes to shield themselves from the attack. However, despite their efforts, stones managed to penetrate the coach, adding to the chaos. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) of Nandurbar, Sanjay Mahajan, confirmed the occurrence, highlighting the alarming nature of the incident. Authorities are investigating the matter to apprehend the perpetrators and ensure the safety of passengers traveling on the route.

KERALA: On February 9, Kerala’s inaugural Aastha Special Train to Ayodhya was ceremoniously flagged off from Kochuveli Railway Station, marking a historic milestone for the state. Departing with devout pilgrims, this train embarks on a spiritual journey to the sacred city of Ayodhya, resonating with the fervent faith and devotion of the passengers. 

Aastha Special trains:

• North India: Delhi, Jammu, Haridwar, Katra, Rishikesh
• West India: Mumbai, Pune, Indore, Ujjain, Ahmedabad
• Central India: Nagpur, Bhopal, Shirdi, Jabalpur
• South India: Chennai, Bengaluru, Madurai, Mysore, Hyderabad
• East India: Kolkata, Patna, Guwahati, Bhubaneswar
  

The Aastha trains not only provide a mode of transportation but also foster a sense of community and camaraderie among the pilgrims. As devotees embark on their spiritual odyssey, the journey itself becomes an integral part of the pilgrimage experience, offering moments of reflection, prayer, and fellowship. The train compartments resonate with the chants of hymns, the fragrance of incense, and the shared anticipation of reaching their sacred destination. The launch of Aastha trains reflects the government’s commitment to promoting religious tourism and preserving India’s rich cultural heritage. By enhancing accessibility to religious sites and pilgrimage destinations, initiatives like the Aastha Trains contribute to the socio-economic development of local communities, bolstering tourism infrastructure and generating employment opportunities.

BY – KASHISH JAIN

In a spectacle of grandeur, Ayodhya is abuzz with excitement as the city prepares for the Pran Prathistha ceremony at the newly-constructed Ram Temple. A multitude of celebrities from various fields, including entertainment, cricket, politics, and literature, have descended upon the historic town to witness the momentous occasion.

Bollywood luminaries such as Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shefali Shah, Pawan Kalyan, and Randeep Hooda were seen arriving in Ayodhya a day ahead of the ceremony. The guest list, comprising around 8,000 individuals, boasts 506 A-listers carefully chosen for this auspicious event. Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, accompanied by son Abhishek Bachchan, was spotted in a white kurta-pajama as he left Mumbai for Ayodhya.

Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, among the esteemed invitees, waved at photographers before departing from Mumbai. The star-studded list also included power couples Vicky Kaushal-Katrina Kaif and Ranbir Kapoor-Alia Bhatt, along with Ayushmann Khurrana and filmmaker Rohit Shetty.

Ace shuttler Saina Nehwal, expressing her gratitude for the opportunity, considered the day to be significant. Anupam Kher described the atmosphere as surpassing the joy of Diwali, emphasizing the presence of sentiments related to goodness and sacrifice. Vivek Oberoi and Sonu Nigam, two prominent figures from the entertainment industry, were also present at the event. Oberoi described the temple as magical and spectacular, noting that its grandeur is even more impressive in person than in images.

Telugu actors Ram Charan and Chiranjeevi, dressed in traditional attire, were seen boarding a private plane in Hyderabad for Ayodhya. Waving at fans and surrounded by security personnel, the actors expressed their enthusiasm for participating in this historic occasion along with their families. The Pran Prathistha ceremony is a significant milestone in the construction and consecration of the Ram Temple, drawing attention not only from the spiritual community but also from luminaries across diverse fields who have come together to witness and celebrate this momentous event.

by Yashasvi Raghav

Scheduled for January 22, 2024, the ceremony will be celebrated nationwide. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) issued an office memorandum, stating, “To enable employees to participate in the celebrations, it has been decided that all Central Government Offices, Central Institutions, and Central Industrial Establishments throughout India will be closed for half a day until 14:30 hours on 22nd January, 2024.”.

In a much-anticipated event, the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony for the new idol of Ram Lalla in the Ram temple’s sanctum sanctorum is slated for Monday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to be the chief guest, with over 7,000 invitations given to a distinguished guest list, including celebrities like Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Amitabh Bachchan, and businessmen like Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani.

Additionally, 4,000 seers from across the country have been invited to partake in the ceremony. Enhanced security measures are being implemented in Ayodhya, with the deployment of anti-terrorist squad commandos from Uttar Pradesh at Lata Mangeshkar Chowk.

Mainpuri City is also on high alert in light of the upcoming Pran Pratishtha ceremony on January 22 and Republic Day on January 26. Prime Minister Modi is set to officiate the ceremonial installation of Shri Ram Lalla inside the temple’s sanctum sanctorum. According to Champat Rai, the general secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, the Ram temple will open for public ‘darshan’ starting January 23.

By Yashasvi Raghav

The decision by the Shankaracharyas has added a significant dimension to the ongoing discourse surrounding the much-anticipated event. Uttarakhand Jyotish Peeth Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand has clarified his decision to abstain from the upcoming Ayodhya Ram Temple inauguration on January 22. Citing scriptural reasons, he emphasized that the temple is deemed incomplete, likening it to the body of God. According to his explanation, the temple’s peak symbolizes God’s eyes, and the ‘kalash’ signifies the head, with the temple flag representing God’s hair.

The Shankaracharya stated that performing ‘pran-pratishtha’ (instilling life) in the temple without its head or eyes contradicts sacred scriptures. He expressed concern that attending the event under these circumstances would be seen as a violation of religious principles. Discussions have been initiated with Ayodhya Trust members, urging them to celebrate once the temple is fully constructed. This decision has sparked controversy as all four Shankaracharyas are now opting to stay away from the ceremony on January 22.

The decision by Shankaracharyas, the revered authorities in Sanatan Dharma, to boycott the Ram Temple Pran Pratishtha event has sparked political and religious debates. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot highlighted the significance of the Shankaracharyas’ stance, emphasizing the politicization of the event. Aam Aadmi Party leader Saurabh Bharadwaj accused the BJP of attempting to politicize the religious ceremony, asserting that the Shankaracharyas’ refusal reflects the event’s departure from established religious traditions. Swami Nischalanand Saraswati Maharaj, the Shankaracharya of Puri, disclosed that their decision stems from deviations in the installation of the Ram Lalla idol.

The controversy surrounding the temple inauguration intensifies as political and religious dimensions collide in the run-up to the scheduled event. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has also been filed in the Allahabad High Court, challenging the government’s decision to organize religious events from January 14 to 22, culminating in the Ram Janmabhoomi Pran Pratistha ceremony.

Advocates, including Narottam Shukla and Ashutosh Kumar Tiwari, seek the annulment of the Chief Secretary’s government order, alleging it goes against tradition. The PIL contends that objections raised by Shankaracharyas and suspicions of political motives by the BJP surround the ceremony. The Chief Secretary’s order, issued on December 21, 2023, instructed District Magistrates to organize various religious events across the state.

Filed by Bhola Das from Ghaziabad, the PIL argues that the Pran Pratishtha is against the Sanatana tradition and questions the participation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The case is scheduled for a regular hearing on Friday, amid growing controversy surrounding the upcoming ceremony.

by Yashasvi Raghav

According to the Trust, over 25,000 dignitaries and 4,000 Hindu leaders are going to attend and participate in the inaugural function of the massive temple. The offials of the Trust has also requested the masses and VIPs to avoid marking their presence in the temple for initial days as it may lead to mismanagement. In addition to this, RSS chief, Mohan Bhagwat, in his recent Dussehra speech has asked people to mark the celebration with organizing programs at their nearby temples.

Admits this news, several Muslim leader and Jamiat-i-Ulama Hind president at Ayodhya, Mufti Hisbullah Badshah Khan, have expressed their thoughts on PM inaugurating Ayodhya temple. They have requested PM Modi to lay the foundation of Dhannipur village mosque in 2024 when he will be visiting to inaugurate the Ram temple. He has stated that the Prime minister of India is for both Hindus and Muslims. If he comes to inaugurate the mosque, Cancer hospital, community kitchen and a research Centre dedicated to Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah Faizabadi, 1857 freedom struggler, it will deliver a good and secular message to the society and will serve the goal.

On the other hand, the opposition has slammed the decision of accepting the invitation to the Prime minister as it will extend a wrong message to the masses and will end up being one of those BJP events. Salman Khurshid, congress leader has stated that God belongs to everyone and everyone should get the opportunity to attend such a significant event, inviting mere BJP workers/leaders might turn the occasion into a party event and end up being one of the tickets to 2024 elections.