Ram Temple Trust Makes Extensive Arrangements Ahead Of Heavy Devotee Rush

With a surge in pilgrim footfall expected during the festive season, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is making extensive arrangements at the Ram Temple complex in Ayodhya, focusing on crowd management, infrastructure expansion and security preparedness.

General Secretary of the Trust, Champat Rai, on Saturday outlined the ongoing construction work and detailed the measures being put in place to handle crowds on a scale comparable to major religious gatherings such as the Kumbh Mela. Speaking to the media, Rai said the Trust is planning facilities keeping in mind the possibility of exceptionally large numbers of devotees visiting the temple on special occasions.

He said several aspects of pilgrim management are being strengthened to ensure smooth movement, safety and convenience. Footwear management, he noted, has emerged as a major focus area due to the volume of visitors expected at the Ram Temple complex. Rai explained that if crowd situations similar to the Kumbh Mela were to occur, existing systems would need to be expanded multiple times.

"Some information has been given regarding temple construction. If a scene like the Kumbh Mela appears at the temple, shoe storage arrangements will have to be increased severalfold. That is why shoe rooms are being constructed at two locations," Rai said.

He added that once completed, these facilities will be able to securely store footwear for about 25,000 people at a time. Additionally, arrangements are being made to manage the storage of up to two lakh pairs of shoes over the course of a day. Rai said these measures are part of a broader plan to avoid congestion and ensure orderly entry and exit for pilgrims at the temple premises.

Referring to the earlier phase of the Ram Temple, Rai recalled that when Ram Lalla was brought to Ayodhya, the idols were initially placed in a small wooden temple, which devotees regard as sacred. He said construction of a new small temple is also underway at that site.

"When Ram Lalla was brought, they were placed in a small wooden temple, where they stayed until January 18, 2024. That wooden temple is considered sacred, and a new small temple is being built there," he said.

On security arrangements, Rai said a 3.5-kilometre-long boundary wall is being constructed around the remaining temple complex. He added that the design and specifications of the wall have been finalised in line with the requirements and recommendations of security agencies, including the Central Reserve Police Force, the Central Industrial Security Force and the Special Security Force.

"The type of wall has been decided based on their requirements. The construction will continue for some time, and at present it cannot be said whether it will be completed by 2026," Rai said.

Rai also said that Pran Pratishtha Ekadashi will be observed on December 31. He confirmed that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has been invited to the event and has accepted the invitation, adding that the Chief Minister may also attend on the occasion.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the saffron 'Dharma Dhwaj' atop the spire of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya, symbolically marking the formal completion of the temple's construction.