Ayodhya Ram Mandir: 2 days after inauguration, over 50,000 camp outside temple overnight

According to officials, over 50,000 people had camped outside the temple premises overnight.

Devotees visit the Ram temple a day after the consecration of the new Ram Lalla idol as its doors opened to the general public, in Ayodhya, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. (PTI Photo)

Days after the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Lalla idol in Ayodhya, a sea of devotees continued to flock to the Ram temple on Wednesday. According to officials, over 50,000 people had camped outside the temple premises overnight.

When the gates of the temple opened at 7 am on Wednesday, several senior officials, including Principal Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad and Director General (Law and order) Prashant Kumar were present to oversee security arrangements. This comes after chaos broke out the previous day, when larger than anticipated crowds tried to push their way inside the temple.

However on Wednesday, barricades were placed to ensure that people stood in queues and entered in an orderly manner. “Darshan has started smoothly. For crowd management queue system has been strengthened and proper channels have been put in place for smooth flow of the visitors in and out of the temple,” DG (Law and order) Prashant Kumar told The Indian Express.

#WATCH | Ayodhya: Uttar Pradesh Special ADGLO Prashant Kumar says, “People have gathered here in huge numbers. Principal Home Secretary and I have been sent here… We have improved the queue system for crowd management. We have made channels for the people…” pic.twitter.com/9b5BC05DU5

— ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2024

A day after the consecration ceremony on Tuesday, around 5 lakh people paid obeisance to the Ram idol. At least 8,000 security personnel have been deployed to manage the rush. On Tuesday evening, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath arrived in Ayodhya to take stock of the situaiton. Those present at the temple gates said the CM had made a personal appeal to the crowd: “Darshan ke liye na harbarayen. Bheed normal hone ke baad Ayodhya aayein (do not be in a rush to pay obeisance. Let the crowd become normal and then come to Ayodhya).”

The CM also called senior police and administrative officers and held a review of crowd management efforts on the premises.

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