Ayodhya: Ayodhya witnessed a sea of devotees on Wednesday as pilgrims thronged the holy city to mark the first anniversary of the Ram Mandir. Despite dense fog and biting cold, thousands of devotees lined up for darshan and puja, chanting “Jai Shri Ram” in unison, evoking an atmosphere reminiscent of the Treta Yuga. The devotion-filled queues stretched along the Janmabhoomi Path well into the evening, with robust security arrangements ensuring smooth proceedings.
First Anniversary Celebrations of Ram Mandir
The grand Ram Mandir, inaugurated with the placement of Ram Lalla on January 22, 2024, celebrated its first anniversary according to the Gregorian calendar on Wednesday. Earlier, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust commemorated the occasion as per the Hindu calendar on January 11, 2025, with three days of grand events. On both occasions, the temple saw massive crowds, underscoring its spiritual and cultural significance.
Festivities Across Ayodhya
Temples and monasteries across Ayodhya also joined the celebrations with fervor. Hanuman Garhi saw a kilometer-long queue of devotees, while other sacred sites like Dashrath Mahal and Kanak Bhavan were filled with worshippers. At Mani Ramdas Chhawani, the first day of a 41-day ritual began with a grand rath yatra, during which over 1.25 lakh chants of the Shri Ram Raksha Stotra will be recited.
Reliving the Past
Many devotees returned to Ayodhya to relive the moments of the temple’s inauguration last year. Anticipating a large turnout, the trust had made elaborate arrangements for the visitors. Hotels and dharamshalas in the city were booked in advance, and the temple premises echoed with chants and prayers from the early hours of the morning. Chief Priest Satyendra Das noted that while the Hindu calendar anniversary was celebrated earlier, most devotees marked the occasion on January 22, as per the English calendar.
Enhanced Security Measures
Ayodhya was divided into six zones and 17 sectors to ensure a foolproof security setup, according to SSP Rajkaran Naiyar. Gazetted officers were deployed in each zone, while sector-specific security was handled by CO-level officials, ensuring the safety of the pilgrims.
Devotees’ Experiences
Vijayalakshmi from Rajasthan, who visited with a group of 17 people, shared her profound experience, saying, “It is by the grace of Balaji and Ram Lalla that we had such a fulfilling darshan.” The group entered the temple while chanting the Hanuman Chalisa, overwhelmed by the spiritual vibrance of Ayodhya. “After 500 years, Ayodhya has regained its grandeur. Everyone must visit for darshan,” she added.
The celebrations reaffirm Ayodhya’s place as a spiritual epicenter, drawing millions from across the globe to connect with their faith and heritage.
