Ayodhya braces for Ram Navami rush as hotels and homestays near full capacity

The Ram Navami Mela is set to begin on March 30, with the main event, Ramnavami, falling on April 6.

Ayodhya is abuzz with preparations for the grand Ram Navami celebrations, as the city braces for an unprecedented influx of devotees. The Ram Navami Mela is set to begin on March 30, with the main event, Ramnavami, falling on April 6. Anticipating a record turnout, authorities expect over 50 lakh devotees to arrive, significantly intensifying the demand for accommodation.

Currently, securing a place to stay in Ayodhya has become a daunting task. Hotels and dharamshalas are nearly at full capacity, with 90 percent of the rooms already booked. The remaining 10 percent are being fiercely contested, with hoteliers receiving multiple recommendations for every available room. With conventional lodging options exhausted, many pilgrims are turning to homestays, monasteries, temples, and ashrams. However, these too have reached their limits, leaving thousands scrambling for alternatives.

Kamlesh Srivastava, City President of the BJP, highlighted the surge in footfall: "Every day, 70,000 to 80,000 devotees are arriving in Ayodhya for Ramlala’s darshan. Given the significance of Ramjanmotsav, over 50 lakh devotees are expected to visit during the nine-day festival, with daily footfalls reaching 2.5 to 3 lakh at the temple."

Hoteliers confirm the accommodation crunch. Ramji Pandey, a hotelier, noted that bookings have been closed for weeks, yet they continue to receive over 50 inquiries for rooms daily. Anoop Gupta, another hotel owner, echoed the sentiment: "Exams are over, and the new academic session is yet to begin. That is why we’re seeing a surge in requests. A significant portion of these inquiries is from South India."

Dharamshalas are no different. Aditya Sultania, manager of a prominent dharamshala, revealed that his establishment has been fully occupied since the Pran Pratishtha ceremony and remains booked until April 10. Homestay operator Sunil Gupta added, "Most homestay rooms are reserved until April 8. Many devotees who stayed with us during Kumbh have recommended our services, leading to this advance rush."

Traditionally, the Ram Navami Mela has drawn 15 to 20 lakh devotees, but this year’s figures are soaring due to the Pran Pratishtha of Ramlala. Over the past two months, Ayodhya has already witnessed a footfall exceeding three crore pilgrims. The nine-day celebrations will include spiritual activities like Ram Katha, Ramnam Sankirtan, Navah Parayan, Yagya, and Havan across temples and monasteries, drawing devotees from India and beyond.

Surya Tilak to Illuminate Ramlala

One of the most awaited spectacles of this year’s Ram Navami is the permanent installation of the Surya Tilak mechanism, ensuring that the sun’s rays will fall precisely on Ramlala’s forehead at 12:00 noon on Ram Navami – April 6. A team of scientists from Roorkee is in Ayodhya to oversee the installation of specialized mirrors and lenses designed to direct sunlight onto the deity.

Developed by the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) Roorkee, the Surya Tilak Mechanism is an intricate, gear-based system that operates without electricity or batteries. The sunlight will be captured through an opto-mechanical setup, reflected via mirrors and brass pipes, and then projected onto Ramlala’s forehead in a 75mm circular pattern. Scientists from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore, confirm that the Surya Tilak’s duration will gradually increase each year for the next 19 years before the cycle repeats in 2044.

Extensive Preparations for Devotees

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is leaving no stone unturned to ensure a grand and seamless Ramjanmotsav on Ramnavami day. Devotees worldwide will be able to witness the Surya Tilak, the Lord’s Shringar, and the Abhishek via live telecasts. The celebrations will commence at 9:30 AM with Ramlala’s ritualistic Abhishek, continuing until 10:30 AM. Following a brief closure for decoration, the deity will be adorned with an elaborate shringar before the offering of 56 types of bhog. At precisely noon, the much-anticipated Surya Tilak will take place. LED screens installed across the city will allow devotees to witness the divine moment in real-time.

Given the expected rush, various arrangements have been made to accommodate the influx. Free prasad distribution will be organized at the Angad Tila complex. The darshan path is being covered with matting to provide comfort for barefoot devotees, while 200 water taps are being installed along the route for drinking water. To combat the rising temperatures, coolers will be placed at multiple locations.

Apart from temple rituals, daily recitations of the Valmiki Ramayana and Ramcharitmanas will take place, alongside yagyas and other sacred ceremonies in the Yagyashala. Renowned storyteller Atul Krishna Bhardwaj will deliver Ram Katha at the Angad Tila complex. The entire temple complex will be adorned with elaborate decorations and vibrant lighting, creating an atmosphere of divine celebration. The entrance to the Ram Janmabhoomi Path will be beautifully decorated to welcome the millions of devotees flocking to Ayodhya for this grand occasion.

As the city gears up for the biggest Ram Navami celebration yet, the blend of tradition, devotion, and advanced scientific marvels like the Surya Tilak promises to make this year’s festivities truly historic.