Ayodhya: In a momentous ceremony on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the redeveloped Ayodhya Dham Junction railway station and inaugurated the gleaming Maharshi Valmiki Airport, among several other projects for the sacred temple city. The grand consecration ceremony of Lord Ram’s temple, scheduled for January 22, is just around the corner, with Ayodhya poised to host a multitude of devotees from across the country.
Despite the city’s readiness for the historic event, Prime Minister Modi issued a heartfelt plea to devotees during his address after unveiling the Maharshi Valmiki International Airport. He urged them not to attempt traveling to Ayodhya on the highly anticipated day of the temple’s inauguration.
“This is my request with folded hands, don’t decide to come to Ram Temple on January 22. First, allow the event to happen, and then after January 23, you can come any time,” Modi implored.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the immense enthusiasm and global interest in the Ram Temple’s opening, stating that everyone wishes to attend the mega event. However, he emphasized the logistical and security challenges that come with accommodating the massive influx of devotees on the opening day.
“You have waited for over 550 years. Wait for some more time,” Modi appealed to the devotees.
In a gesture to mark the significance of the day, Modi suggested, “Instead light a diya at home on January 22. That day should be Diwali across India.”
He reassured the devotees that the temple is a permanent fixture and urged them to consider visiting in the days following the grand ceremony. “Don’t come on January 22. The temple is not going anywhere; it will be there for centuries. You can come anytime in January, February, March. But don’t come on January 22. The temple management should not have any trouble because of the devotees,” Modi emphasized.
Highlighting the limited invitations for the ceremony, the Prime Minister stated, “Only a few people have been invited to the ceremony. And after 23, it will be easier to visit.”
In addition to the plea for patience, Modi called upon the people of Ayodhya to play an active role in maintaining cleanliness, envisioning the city as the cleanest in the country. “Ayodhya will now have to be prepared to host lakhs of visitors, and that would continue till eternity. The people of Ayodhya will have to take an oath to make Ayodhya the cleanest city in the country,” he urged.
