Monday morning in Ayodhya: All roads lead to Ram Mandir

“The administration has got shutters and facades of all shops and homes painted in the same colour at the government’s expense. They are also providing yellow light bulbs to replace white LEDs in shops,” said Rajan Gupta, a sweet seller on Bhakti Path near Hanumangarhi.

Devotees cycle past book shops in Ayodhya (Express Photo by Vishal Srivastava)

Ram Chandra (77), who sells religious books on Ram Path, has seen Ayodhya during Kar Seva and Ram Janmabhoomi movement. “Ayodhya has changed. All this is because of Modi ji, who helped develop the infrastructure and facilities for pilgrims. Today, VVIPs from across the country are coming here,” said Chandra, who has not visited the makeshift Ram Temple though his home is less than 500 metres away. “Ram is in my heart. I do not need to visit any temple to see him.”

Vijay Tiwari, a local resident, said, “Helicopters and aircrafts have been flying over Ayodhya for the past few days. Earlier, Ayodhya was known for the demolition of Babri. Now, the city will be known for a grand Ram Mandir.”

In several hoardings put on both sides of the roads, the government has highlighted the double-engine ki sarkaar – at the Centre and state – and the development projects worth Rs 31,000 crore they executed to re-establish Ayodhya Dham as a spiritual and cultural centre.

Across the town, there are posters and hoardings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alongside a message – “Deen bandhu bhakt vatsal Shri Ram ki sharan me hum” and “Shri Ramah sharanam mamah” (Seeking refuge in lord Ram).

Cut outs of PM Narendra Modi in Ayodhya (AP Photo)

Apart from Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Aditynath, another politician seen on some hoardings is Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde – his posters also have photographs of Modi, Yogi, Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president J P Nadda.

In a post on X, Shinde wrote that Modi “has fulfilled this dream seen by Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray”.

A hoarding put by Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Shri Swami Narendracharya of Ratnagiri – featuring Modi, Shah and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat – too has a message: “Bina rakt ki boond bahaye, suljha sadiyon ka vivad hai. Dakshin peeth nadeej dham se, aapko karodon dhanyawad hai (A centuries long dispute has been resolved without shedding a drop of blood; gratitude to you…)”