Beggars throng 'Saavan Mela' in Ayodhya

Ayodhya, Aug 19 (UNI) Thousands of beggars are thronging the ongoing Saavan mela here, causing a major nuisance for the lakhs of devotes coming to pay their obeisance to 'Ramlala' at the makeshift temple at the disputed site.

A large number of the beggars are present outside the famous temples, including Hanuman Gadi, Kanak Bhavan and Nageshvar Nath.

Several of them have occupied the stairs to the Hanuman Gadi temple.

Priest of a prominent temple here Ram Gopal Das said, ''thousands of beggars come from other cities during the 'Saavan Mela.'' They bring along with their families and most of them hail from Bihar.'' Majority of them are physically fit and able to earn their living by doing some work, the priest said.

However, the devotees have to face problem, if they deny money to these beggars, he added.

Elderly devotees from Varanasi and Patna, Battu Ram and Deen Dayal said, ''the beggars surround people, forcing them to pay money. They even rob befool people and steal their luggage.'' According to sources, a beggars' house was established in the city in 1997. However, the house was in a dilapidated condition.

UNI