Watch | Some injured, some faint as devotees throng Ayodhya to catch a glimpse of Ram Lalla

VIDEO | People queue up outside Ayodhya Ram Mandir to enter the temple premises.

Earlier today, security personnel drawn from police and paramilitary forces had a tough time controlling the crowd of devotees, many of whom had been queuing up since late Monday night. At least… pic.twitter.com/UxZNfZAEgX

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 23, 2024

While the administration had expected a large gathering on Tuesday, the pilgrims started arriving at the gates around 3 am. By 6 am, the pilgrims swarmed the Ram Janmabhoomi Path leading to the temple, trying to push their way inside.

Security personnel with both the Uttar Pradesh Police and paramilitary forces attempted to control the crowd of devotees.

VIDEO | Injured devotees being taken to hospital in an ambulance from outside the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. pic.twitter.com/UZnMd4VnmB

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 23, 2024

Amidst the crowd, at least one devotee has reportedly fainted as the people pushed and shoved their way towards the temple. Those injured have been taken to the nearby hospital by the police, as per PTI.

VIDEO | Security officials carry a person on stretcher from outside the premises of Ram Temple in Ayodhya. pic.twitter.com/PMonj7BkEq

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 23, 2024

Security continues to be amped up at the temple premises as devotees line up for the ‘darshan’ of Ram Lalla.

VIDEO | Security heightened outside Ram Temple in Ayodhya to control crowd. (n/1) pic.twitter.com/Dkhva0KcDF

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 23, 2024

As the influx of devotees to the temple increased during the day, ADG of Lucknow Zone Piyush Mordia said: “I appeal to the devotees not to use mobile phones inside temple premises. An appeal to devotees to stay patient.”

#WATCH | Piyush Mordia (ADG, Lucknow Zone) on the huge rush of devotees at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple after Ram Lalla’s ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony in Ayodhya

“Devotees in large numbers have gathered here. It is our primary duty to ensure that no devotee faces inconvenience. I… pic.twitter.com/LHaXfHjLm4

— ANI (@ANI) January 23, 2024

To monitor orderly movement of devotees, UP Principal Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad and Special DG Law and Order Prashant Kumar were present inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple on Tuesday.

#WATCH | With the influx of a large number of devotees to Ayodhya Ram Temple, UP Principal Secretary, Home, Sanjay Prasad and Special DG Law and Order, Prashant Kumar are present inside the ‘Garbha Griha’ of the temple, to monitor the orderly movement of devotees. pic.twitter.com/3nYcYF8aJQ

— ANI (@ANI) January 23, 2024

The ‘darshan’ which closed around 11 am after the ‘Madhya Arti’ ritual opened again around 2 pm. It will continue till 7 pm as per the schedule told by officials.

— With PTI inputs