Ayodhya (UP), Jan 9 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said that considering the emotional significance of the consecration ceremony of the eagerly awaited new idol of Lord Ram in Ayodhya Dham directed to declare of a holiday in educational institutions across the state on January 22.
Terming this special occasion as a ‘national festival’, the CM said that liquor shops should be kept closed in the state on January 22.
During his visit to Ayodhya on Tuesday, the CM held a meeting with the officials of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust following the darshan and worship of Shri Ram Lalla and Hanuman Garhi.
While taking information about the Vedic rituals of Pran Pratistha starting after Makar Sankranti, he directed the officials to extend all necessary cooperation to the Teerth Kshetra Trust for the security and other arrangements for the ceremony.
Yogi emphasised the need for enhanced hospitality for dignitaries attending the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya. “The resting place of each VVIP should be selected in advance. Considering the weather, it is possible that some guests may arrive a day or two earlier. In such a situation, better arrangements should be made for their stay,” he said.
He emphasized the availability of hotels, dharamshalas and home stay options in Ayodhya.
“There is a need to further increase the number of tent cities. On the lines of Kumbh, prepare a grand tent city on 25-50 acres in Ayodhya,” he said.
The CM emphasized that after January 22, devotees of Lord Ram from across the globe will visit Ayodhya. To facilitate their convenience, he directed the installation of multilingual signage throughout the city, covering languages from the 8th Schedule of the Constitution and the six official languages of the United Nations.
Stressing the paramount importance of cleanliness in hospitality, he sought public cooperation.
He underscored the necessity of maintaining cleanliness on major roads and streets such as Dharma Path, Janmabhoomi Path, Bhakti Path and Ram Path.
While dustbins have been strategically placed at various locations, Yogi called for enhanced arrangements for waste management.
Currently, with over 3,800 sanitation workers deployed, he recommended increasing the workforce
by an additional 1,500 employees to further ensure cleanliness and hygiene.
He said that everyone must work together to make Ayodhya a polythene-free city.
“Run a special campaign related to cleanliness in the city from January 14. Dirt should not be seen anywhere in the city,” he said.
The CM said that the upcoming historic Pran Pratishtha event is a source of joy, pride and self-satisfaction for crores of Sanatan believers.
“The whole country is imbued with the spirit of Lord Shri Ram. Deepotsav will be celebrated at every temple in the evening on January 22. Every Sanatan believer is encouraged to welcome Ramlala by lighting the Ram Jyoti in their homes and establishments,” he said.
He directed that all government buildings be adorned and arrangements be made for evening fireworks to enhance the festive ambience.
Yogi said that theme-based decoration of Dharma Path, Janmabhoomi Path, Bhakti Path and Ram Path should be done. “This celebration marks a historic occasion of joy and efforts should be made
to ensure that every visitor, devotee and tourist departs with a pleasant experience,” he said.
He said that 10-bedded health centers should be prepared in all tent cities.
“Social and cultural organizations are also eager to cooperate in this. Ambulance should be deployed here. Deploy various specialist doctors in Ayodhya,” he said.
The CM said, “Today I have personally inspected the arrangements of the tent city. There is a good arrangement here. Emphasize cleanliness and ensure that those staying here have access to hot water. To ensure availability of food grains in the tent city, necessary arrangements should be made by the Food and Logistics Department and Mandi Parishad.”
He said that night shelters should be organized further.
“There is a need to increase their numbers in many places,” he said.
Yogi emphasized the need for expanding night shelters and increasing their numbers in various locations.
He stressed that no individual seeking shelter for the night in Ayodhya should endure the cold and directed the Relief Commissioner to ensure necessary arrangements are made to address this concern.
He emphasized that a substantial number of people are expected for the consecration ceremony. In light of this, he directed the preparation of a green corridor along the routes from Lucknow, Prayagraj, and Gorakhpur to Ayodhya. Ensure continuous movement of vehicles.
The CM said, “Enhance the appeal of these passages by adorning them with verses and couplets from Ramayana and Ramcharita Manas. Additionally, install signage in different languages for the convenience of all visitors.”
He directed to develop an enhanced action plan for parking and traffic management specifically for the January 22 event.
“Ensure ample parking facilities along major roads leading to Ayodhya. Arrange for a sufficient number of electric buses to transport visitors and plan for their organized parking,” he added.
