Ayodhya has become a sight of unwavering devotion as thousands continue to pour into the temple town two days following the solemn ‘pran pratishtha’ ceremony of the Ram Lalla idol. Braving the chilly winter morning, believers are seen lining up for a chance to witness the idol of Lord Ram, with the anticipation of spiritual fulfillment drawing long queues even at the break of dawn.
In response to the influx of devotees, an astounding force of approximately 1,000 Rapid Action Force personnel is now stationed in and around the temple grounds to ensure orderly progression for darshan. These measures come as optimism runs high with the latest updates from Ram Mandir promising enhanced arrangements for the ceaseless crowd looking to pay their respects.
Senior officials, including Praveen Kumar, Inspector-General of Police, and Prashant Kumar, Special Additional Deputy-General of Police, have been actively managing the situation. Developed queue systems and dedicated passages for devotees facilitate smoother transitions amidst the hustle. The high-ranking officers reassure the public, especially advising the elderly and differently-abled to postpone visits with improved tactics in place promising a more structured darshan experience in the forthcoming weeks.
The inauguration of the public’s access to the Ram temple started on a high note on January 22, post the grand consecration of Lord Ram, with throngs of visitors from neighboring states and beyond descending as early as 3 am. The unprecedented turnout only underlines the centuries-spanning significance the site holds in the hearts of many.
Ample security personnel, under the command of Vijay Kumar, Director-General of Police, Uttar Pradesh, are deployed for crowd control, signifying the event’s success in coordination and public safety. The Devotees, eager after the Monday night accumulation near the Ram Path, were informed of the temple’s official public opening on the following day.
The temple trust has helpfully delineated specific darshan schedules on their website, with morning slots from 7 am to 11:30 am and afternoon sessions from 2 pm to 7 pm. Also, to facilitate attendees’ participation in the divine aarti rituals, the website provides details for both online and offline pass acquirement for the shringar at 6:30 am and sandhya aarti at 7:30 pm, requiring valid identification for offline procurement.
Amidst the fervent activities and conspicuous management, UP Police received commendations from Delhi Police for their proficient handling of the crowd during the consecration of Ram Lalla, recognizing the event attended by thousands of national and international dignitaries.
Director General, law and order, Prashant Kumar, acknowledged the collective efforts and advanced strategic planning inherent to their successful security deployment. With careful consideration of various temple security models across the nation, the utilization of cutting-edge technology like AI drones and extensive CCTV surveillance contributed to the impeccable execution of maintaining order during such a momentous occasion. The success, he noted, was rooted in the guidance from independent experts and the vigilant direction by the state government and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.