Why Ayodhya must evolve beyond pilgrimage to become global tourist hub: 'Biggest shortcoming is ...'

The chairman of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust’s construction committee has issued a stark assessment of Ayodhya’s current tourism infrastructure, warning that the town lacks the capacity to “hold back” visitors. Nripendra Misra, the officer-architect-in-chief for the Ram Temple, stated that addressing this deficiency is a critical priority for both the Trust and the Uttar Pradesh government as the monumental construction project nears completion.

According to a report in The Indian Express, Misra revealed that his concern was crystallised by a direct interaction with a foreign tourist who found himself with little to do in the city after a lunar eclipse temporarily halted temple access. The tourist, who had travelled a great distance, opted to stay overnight but highlighted a significant lack of engaging activities, cultural programmes, or other sites of interest beyond the primary religious darshan.

“He said that he would stay for a day as there is a facility but at the same time pointed out that there should be interesting programmes, more places to visit and religious events in which they can participate,” Misra was quoted as saying by The Indian Express. He described this feedback as indicative of the “biggest shortcoming” currently facing Ayodhya’s transformation.

Misra, who was in Ayodhya for a Trust meeting, elaborated that while the devout will always be drawn to the sacred site, the city must now cater to a broader, more diverse audience. He noted the increasing influx of visitors from across India and abroad, arriving via improved air connectivity and stressed the urgent need to develop Ayodhya into “one of the best tourist destinations.”