Day after: Nearly 3 lakh devotees offer prayers at Ram Temple

A day after the Pran Pratishtha, 2.5 lakh- 3 lakh devotees offered prayers to Ram Lalla in Ayodhya’s Ram Temple on Tuesday, state government officials said. And an equally large number of devotees are awaiting the darshan. Amid the huge rush for ‘Darshan’ of Shri Ram Lalla, devotees broke through security lines at the temple. Crowds of impatient people broke through police lines as Ram Bhakts started thronging in large numbers to the temple. Subsequently, security was steeped up at the temple. A heavy rush of devotees was witnessed at the main gate from 3 am onwards.

With the influx of a large number of devotees, senior officials of the Uttar Pradesh government were present inside the temple premises to monitor the orderly movement of devotees. Uttar Pradesh Special DG (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar and Principal Secretary (Home) were present inside the ‘Garbha Griha’ to monitor the situation.

Appealing to devotees to stay patient, Additional Director General of Police (ADG) of Lucknow Zone, Piyush Mordia said that darshan is going on as usual but since a large number of devotees have gathered the process is taking time. “Darshan is going on as usual. However, since devotees have gathered in large numbers it is taking time. We want people not to lose patience. They need to wait patiently. Those who are standing ahead will get the chance to have darshan first,” the ADG said speaking to reporters on Tuesday.

The ADG said the way to the exit is separate. “People are coming out from a separate route. Our entry and exit gates are defined,” he added. The Ram Temple was thrown open to the general public on Tuesday after the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony was performed on January 22.

According to officials, more than 8,000 security personnel are present to control the situation. “We are very pleased. We are touched even more to come to terms with the fact that we are going to have ‘darshan’ of the Ram Lalla,” said devotee. “I have come from Odisha’s Puri to Ayodhya on bike to have darshan of Lord Ram Lalla. It was a journey of 1224 kilometres. I was very eager to have the ‘darshan’ of Lord Ram Lalla.

When I was asked on my way where I was going, I said that I was going to have darshan of Lord Ram at the temple, which was not built for over 500 years,” another devotee said. The ‘Pran Pratishtha’ of Shri Ram Lalla in Ayodhya was held amid unbridled celebrations, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi performing the main rituals officiated by a select complement of priests. Celebrations were also held across the country to mark Lord Ram’s return to this throne.