3 min readLucknowSep 9, 2025 05:39 AM IST
First published on: Sep 9, 2025 at 04:20 AM IST
The CHAIRMAN of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust construction committee, Nripendra Misra, on Monday expressed concern over the “inability” of Ayodhya as a town to “hold back” tourists and urged both the Trust and the state government to “work this out” as the Ram Temple construction is nearing completion.
Misra, the Ram Temple’s officer-architect-in-chief who is in Ayodhya for a meeting of the construction committee, said this concern, which was flagged to him by a foreign tourist, was the “biggest shortcoming” now and requested the Trust and the state government to look at ways to make Ayodhya “one of the best tourist destinations”.
Misra told mediapersons in Ayodhya that recently a foreign tourist approached him and told him about how he (the tourist) had to stay back for darshan at the Ram Temple after finding out that darshan was not allowed because of the lunar eclipse on Sunday. Misra said the tourist pointed out that while accommodation was not an issue and was available, there was “nothing much to do apart from the darshan.”
“The section (of people) with faith towards Maryada Purushotam will come to Ayodhya Dham. There is one thing, and in a way it is my concern also… Always, two types of sections would come here. One, from the neighbouring districts, who have been coming here for ages and the second, which has started coming now in large numbers, is from other places. People are coming from all sections at the airport and foreigners as well,” he said.
“Now, my concern is that yesterday, someone from another country came to me and told me that he had come from afar and found out that darshan was not possible because of the lunar eclipse. He said that he would stay for a day as there is a facility but at the same time pointed out that there should be interesting programmes, more places to visit and religious events in which they can participate.”
Later, he said there would be 25 watch towers on the four-km boundary wall of the temple for the security purpose and a decision would be taken on Tuesday regarding the design and structure of these towers, as well as the facilities that would be available.
Misra added that the Trust meeting on Tuesday to “give final shape to the flag-hosting event slated for November.”
As per official sources , while construction work is likely to be completed by the year-end, the landscaping would take time and is likely to continue as a “green belt is set to be developed surrounding the temple.”
Nripendra Misra. (Express Photo) 
Share
