Ayodhya readies for PM Modi’s flag hoisting on Nov 25; security tightened, bookings cancelled

With the Prime Minister’s visit, Ayodhya has been placed under one of its tightest security blankets in recent years.

Ayodhya is gearing up for a landmark moment on November 25 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the grand flag-hoisting ceremony atop the newly completed Ram temple. The ceremony, marking the final architectural milestone of the temple’s construction, is being described by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust as one of the most significant events since the 2024 Pran Pratishtha.

A massive saffron flag embossed with a Sun symbol will be raised on the main spire, symbolising the temple’s completion from foundation to crown. Trustee Anil Mishra said the ceremony carries deep emotional and spiritual importance. “Hoisting the flag on the shikhara is the culmination of generations of devotion and sacrifice. This moment announces to the world that the Ram temple now stands complete in every sense,” he said.

The event’s timing on Vivah Panchami, the sacred day associated with the celestial wedding of Lord Ram and Goddess Sita, has added further religious gravity. Prime Minister Modi, who presided over the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla on January 22, 2024, will again lead the rituals in the presence of saints, dignitaries and trust members. The trust expects nearly 6,000 invited guests for the historic ceremony.

With the Prime Minister’s visit, Ayodhya has been placed under one of its tightest security blankets in recent years. In line with high-level directives, police have ordered the cancellation of all advance bookings made by pilgrims for November 24 and 25 in guest houses, homestays and ashrams located within a 200-metre radius of the temple. Only rooms reserved for officially invited guests have been allowed to remain occupied.

A senior security officer involved in the arrangements confirmed the move, saying it was necessary to maintain a fool-proof security perimeter around the venue.

Restrictions will also be enforced on Ram Path, the key approach road to the temple. Movement on the stretch will remain completely prohibited from 6 am to 2.30 pm on November 25. Only designated vehicles carrying invited guests will be allowed entry, and even pedestrian movement will be barred during this period. Limited pedestrian access will be restored after 2.30 pm, though two-wheelers and four-wheelers will continue to remain restricted for the rest of the day.

With a large number of dignitaries set to arrive, Ayodhya airport has activated a specialised logistical plan. Airport director Dhirendra Singh said parking arrangements had been made for 40 to 80 chartered planes, which will be diverted to nearby airports once passengers disembark.

Around a hundred additional CISF personnel will be deployed, and a special lounge has been created for the Prime Minister. Six VIP lounges are being prepared for the chief minister, governor and other dignitaries.

Despite the cancellations in the immediate security zone, Ayodhya remains packed. A large tent city has been set up, and accommodations outside the restricted perimeter have been fully booked for days. The heavy inflow of visitors has brought a clear economic surge to the region.

The temple trust has requested all invitees to reach Ayodhya on November 24. Trust general secretary Champat Rai said the trust has secured 1,600 hotel rooms and multiple tent cities for accommodation. “Entry for the event will take place between 7:30 and 9:00 AM on November 25. All guests have been asked to arrive a day earlier to avoid congestion,” he said.

Local organiser Bhanu Singh said the enthusiasm on the ground is unmatched. “Every lane, every lodge, every shop is buzzing. People feel blessed to witness this moment. And with hotels full and new tent facilities coming up, Ayodhya is seeing a major economic upswing,” he said.

Shopkeepers, transport operators, eateries and homestays across the city are reporting high demand, with many calling the period one of the most commercially active since the Pran Pratishtha.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has been overseeing on-ground readiness, including multi-layered security checks, drone surveillance, crowd-control systems and shuttle corridors for devotees.

For Ayodhya, November 25 is shaping up to be a defining chapter—one that marks not only the architectural completion of the Ram temple but also the city’s growing spiritual prominence and economic transformation.