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ayodhya
Ayodhya, a city located in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, holds a profound significance in the cultural and religious tapestry of India. Known as the birthplace of Lord Rama, a principal deity in Hinduism and the protagonist of the epic Ramayana, Ayodhya is a place of pilgrimage and reverence for millions of Hindus worldwide. The city's history is intertwined with mythological tales and ancient scriptures, making it a focal point of faith and spirituality.
For centuries, Ayodhya has been a center of religious and historical interest, attracting scholars, devotees, and tourists keen on exploring its rich past and vibrant cultural heritage. The city is dotted with numerous temples, ghats (riverfront steps), and historical monuments that narrate the saga of its ancient grandeur and spiritual legacy.
The Ayodhya dispute, centered around the Ram Janmabhoomi site, where the Babri Masjid once stood, has been a contentious issue, sparking widespread political, religious, and social debates. However, the Supreme Court of India's landmark verdict in November 2019 paved the way for the construction of the Ram Temple, marking a new chapter in Ayodhya's history.
Today, Ayodhya is witnessing a transformation, with efforts to enhance its infrastructure and facilities to accommodate the increasing number of pilgrims and tourists, aiming to re-establish its status as a major cultural and religious destination.
For centuries, Ayodhya has been a center of religious and historical interest, attracting scholars, devotees, and tourists keen on exploring its rich past and vibrant cultural heritage. The city is dotted with numerous temples, ghats (riverfront steps), and historical monuments that narrate the saga of its ancient grandeur and spiritual legacy.
The Ayodhya dispute, centered around the Ram Janmabhoomi site, where the Babri Masjid once stood, has been a contentious issue, sparking widespread political, religious, and social debates. However, the Supreme Court of India's landmark verdict in November 2019 paved the way for the construction of the Ram Temple, marking a new chapter in Ayodhya's history.
Today, Ayodhya is witnessing a transformation, with efforts to enhance its infrastructure and facilities to accommodate the increasing number of pilgrims and tourists, aiming to re-establish its status as a major cultural and religious destination.
AYODHYA NEWS
‘Only those seeing theft want refund’: UP Speaker on Ram Temple row
July 15, 2026 8:09 pm
Hitting out at Congress leader Digvijaya Singh who wanted his donation money returned, UP BJP leader Satish Mahana said the alleged theft should not be used to question the Ram Temple movement.
Supreme Court seeks Ram Mandir donation theft probe status report from SIT
July 14, 2026 2:40 am
The Supreme Court was hearing three petitions seeking a CBI probe into the alleged misappropriation of donations made to the Ram Temple.
In Ayodhya, BJP mum on Ram Mandir row, says Yogi, Modi will 'fix the rot'
July 12, 2026 9:25 am
BJP leaders and workers in the temple town are keeping their distance, insisting it is a matter "between the Ram Temple and the Trust" and stressing that neither has any BJP representative.
Theft at Ram Temple is betrayal of public trust. Reform must follow
July 10, 2026 6:43 pm
When burglars break in, owners are not punished. The same should apply to the functionaries of the Ram Temple Trust, except demanding corrective measures
Ram Temple donation row, Prambanan Temple's history, EPFO's new portal explained: Today's Premium reads
July 10, 2026 5:22 pm
Here are today's Premium stories from The Indian Express.
Security protocol revised in 2025, enabled Ram Mandir 'theft': SIT
July 08, 2026 10:15 am
Ram Temple Trust former general secretary Champat Rai has distanced himself from this SOP issued on February 6, 2025, claiming that the earlier SOP issued in 2024 had his signature but not the revised one.
Bureaucrats also had a responsibility, Champat Rai’s trust in driver was misplaced: Ram Mandir trust treasurer to Express
July 08, 2026 9:54 am
Govind Dev Giri acknowledges work should have been decentralised and red flags addressed earlier.
‘Mouths sealed with Fevicol on Waqf’: UP CM Yogi targets Congress, Samajwadi Party
July 13, 2026 11:36 am
The BJP government has been facing sharp criticism over the alleged theft of donations at the Ram temple, an issue the Opposition has sought to frame as an assault on the faith of Hindus.
Ayodhya temple Trust goes for key changes at the top, to appoint CEO; accepts Champat Rai’s resignation
July 07, 2026 6:18 am
Ram Temple ‘theft’ row: 3-member panel to recommend names for CEO; retired bureaucrat Krishna Mohan made interim General Secretary
Ram Mandir accused questioned in jail: Key questions police raised
July 06, 2026 12:29 pm
Begin questioning them in jail on court’s nod
AYODHYA PHOTOS
In photos: Ayodhya lights up for Diwali 2025, makes it to Guinness World Records
October 23, 2025 11:48 am
Here are a few photos that represent Ayodhya in its full glory, with more than 25 lakh diyas lighted up on the banks of Saryu River as part of the celebrations of Diwali.
Ahead of January 2024 deadline, work on Ram Temple gathers pace
January 14, 2023 12:10 pm
Ayodhya witnesses Deepotsav grandeur as over 5,00,000 diyas light up Saryu banks on Diwali eve
November 15, 2020 12:14 pm
The Deepotsav celebration in Ayodhya was started by the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh after Yogi Adityanath became the chief minister in March 2017.
Tough match: A traditional Kolkata akhada wrestles with Covid-19
August 05, 2020 9:06 pm
Chhote Lal Ki Ghat, at Mullick Ghat near the Howrah Bridge, once attracted spectators all year round. The coronavirus pandemic and the ensuing lockdown have thrown up new challenges.
This is how Ram temple in Ayodhya will look like after completion
August 04, 2020 7:18 pm
The new design was finalised in a meeting of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, the body formed to facilitate construction of Ram temple, on July 18.
A sneak peek into Ramayana Express: Chants of Jai Shree Ram, bhajans and more
November 27, 2018 9:13 am
In the course of 16 days, the passengers of Ramayana Express are to cover 8,080 km on the Indian Railways’s ‘Ramayana circuit’, from Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh to Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, covering major destinations associated with Lord Ram.
Ayodhya turns into fortress ahead of VHP, Shiv Sena events
November 26, 2018 7:37 am
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray visits the disputed site to offer prayers and addresses a gathering, speaking over the construction of Ram temple
Yogi Adityanath hosts grand Diwali in Ayodhya
October 19, 2017 12:23 pm
Yogi Adityanath said, "Good governance — or “Ram Rajya” — will return to Ayodhya, which was neglected by successive state governments."
Riots deepen communal divide in Uttar Pradesh
April 23, 2014 5:44 pm
With Lok Sabha elections being underway, the riots divided the political landscape of the region on religious lines.
AYODHYA VIDEOS
Ayodhya dispute: Centre moves SC seeking permission to release non-disputed land
June 22, 2020 6:04 pm
The Centre on Tuesday moved the Supreme Court asking that it be allowed to had over the non-disputed land acquired around the disputed site to its original owners. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath welcomed the Centre's move.
Explained: What has been the BJP’s stand over the years on Ram temple
June 22, 2020 6:07 pm
From the Vajpayee years to Narendra Modi’s BJP, a look at how the party handled the sensitive issue of building a Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya.
Is VHP’s Ayodhya mobilisation bringing back fears of the 1992 Babri demolition?
June 22, 2020 6:09 pm
Is the Ayodhya mobilisation now as powerful and potent as it was in 1992? Are there law and order concerns for the Centre and Uttar Pradesh government, both now ruled by the BJP? And most importantly, is it fair to compare 2018 to 1992?
On board The Ramayan Express, there are bhajans, chants of Jai Shri Ram and more
June 22, 2020 6:10 pm
We travelled on The Ramayan Express going to Ayodhya, Sitamarhi, Janakpur in Nepal and Prayagraj (till recently called Allahabad) and this is what it was like.
Eye for Detail EP 12: All about the Ayodhya uncertainty, RBI vs govt and Statue of Unity
June 22, 2020 6:12 pm
How the BJP and RSS are reacting to the Supreme Court deferring the Ayodhya case, why the RBI and the government are at loggerheads and what it means to have a statue worth almost Rs 3000 crores. All that and more in this week’s Eye for Detail.
How the Supreme Court verdict on Ayodhya impacts the BJP
June 22, 2020 6:12 pm
The Supreme Court has said that the date for the Ayodhya hearings will be decided in January. Here’s how it will impact the BJP and what the RSS is likely to do.
Want a dialogue with all parties to settle the Ayodhya dispute, says union minister Uma Bharti
June 22, 2020 6:12 pm
Union Minister Uma Bharti has said that leaders across party lines must come together and sort out the Ayodhya dispute through dialogue. She also said that those in the government want to build a temple at the disputed site but will need support from
Why Yogi Adityanath's Visit To Ayodhya Is Significant
June 22, 2020 7:01 pm
News Top 5: Blast In Kabul, Yogi Adityanath Visits Ayodhya And More
June 22, 2020 7:01 pm
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