Ayodhya Ram Mandir: Yogi govt unveils helicopter service for aerial pilgrimage of Ram Temple

Devotees of Ram Lalla, the sacred child form of Ram, and tourists can now avail helicopter services from Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Lucknow, Prayagraj, Mathura, and Agra. (Representational image)

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has unveiled a significant initiative for Ayodhya Dham, introducing helicopter services tailored for both devotees of Lord Ram and tourists. Spearheaded by the Yogi government, thorough preparations are underway to facilitate chopper visits from six districts within the state.

The inaugural ceremony for the aerial service is slated to be overseen by CM Adityanath in Lucknow. Operators for the helicopter services have been carefully selected across the designated districts, ensuring that the implementation of these services adheres to a carefully crafted operational model, according to a report on the News 18 Hindi website.

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Devotees of Ram Lalla, the sacred child form of Ram, and tourists can now avail helicopter services from Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Lucknow, Prayagraj, Mathura, and Agra. The government is actively considering expanding this service to additional districts in the state shortly. Furthermore, the Yogi government aims to offer devotees panoramic aerial views of Ayodhya city and the revered Ram temple, with the tourism department overseeing this initiative. Devotees are required to make bookings in advance to utilise these services.

Pay Rs 3,539 for aerial darshan of Ram Temple

Mukesh Meshram, the Principal Secretary of Tourism, announced that the CM has issued directives for the helicopter services for Ram devotees to kick off. The service is scheduled to launch in six districts in the state, operating under an operator model designed to accommodate both devotees and tourists. Alongside the helicopter rides, devotees will have the unique opportunity to experience an aerial view of the Ram Temple.

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The departure point for these helicopter services will be the helipad near the Tourism Guest House on the Saryu coast. The 15-minute aerial tour will include significant tourist attractions, including the Ram Temple, Hanumangarhi, and Saryu Ghat. The fixed fare per person is Rs 3,539, allowing for five devotees per journey and imposing a weight limit of 400 kg. Devotees are permitted to carry a maximum of five kg of luggage, the website reported.

Furthermore, helicopter flights from Gorakhpur to Ayodhya Dham will cover the 126 km distance in a swift 40 minutes, with a fare of Rs 11,327 per person. This initiative aims to enhance the pilgrimage experience for devotees while promoting tourism in the region.

Chopper service for Ayodhya Dham to be available from Namo Ghat in Varanasi

Prakhar Mishra, Director of the Tourism Department, disclosed that the inaugural phase of helicopter services, in alignment with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's vision, will encompass six sacred locations, including the capital, Lucknow. The expansion of services in the future will be contingent upon demand. Devotees now have the option to avail helicopter services from Namo Ghat in Varanasi, covering a distance of 160 km in a swift 55 minutes, with a fare of Rs 14,159 per devotee. Similarly, helicopter services from Ramabai in Lucknow will cover a distance of 132 km in 45 minutes, with a fare of Rs 14,159 per traveller.

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In Prayagraj, services will be accessible from the helipad near the Tourism Guest House, encompassing a distance of 157 km in 50 minutes, with a fare of Rs 14,159 per devotee. Helicopter services are also available from Govardhan Parikrama in Barsana, Mathura, and the helipad near the Agra Expressway in Agra. These routes cover distances of 456 km and 440 km, respectively, with travel times of 135 minutes and a fare of Rs 35,399 per devotee.

The fixed fare for helicopter services from the six districts is one-way, and devotees are required to pay the revised fare for the return journey from Ayodhya Dham. The frequency of helicopter flights will be adjusted daily based on the number of devotees.