Security personnel stand guard at the entry point of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.
Credit: PTI Photo
The extended timing to offer prayers at the new Ram temple in Ayodhya came into effect on Thursday with 'darshan' being allowed from 6 am as key roads leading to the temple town remained closed to regulate vehicular movement.
According to a report by Hindustan Times, the Ayodhya district administration has sealed off the city's borders for the time being due to the huge pilgrim rush which was seen on day two after the consecration of the Ram temple, officials confirmed.
As more Rapid Action Force (RAF) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel have been deployed outside the temple area to for better crowd management, the administration has also formed blockades 15 km ahead of the borders from Basti, Gonda, Ambedkar Nagar, Barabanki, Sultanpur and Amethi routes.
State-run buses and trains destined to Ayodhya have also been cancelled.
Only emergency vehicles and others carrying perishable items are allowed to enter specific sections of the city.
Ayodhya Commissioner Gaurav Dayal said, "We are trying to ease the situation. We have allowed emergency vehicles and vehicles carrying perishable items to enter Faizabad but all entries into Ayodhya town are sealed off. All traffic towards Ayodhya district have been prohibited."
On Wednesday, the temple management decided to let people offer prayers from 6 am to 10 pm, and allotted 15 minutes for 'aarti' and 'bhog' from 12 noon. Earlier, it was 7 am to 6 pm with a two-hour break in between.
On Thursday, devotees started arriving in the temple town on the occasion of 'Paush Purnima' and thousands were seen taking a holy dip in the Saryu river.
Dayal also told the publication, "A multitude of devotees from across the country are flocking Ayodhya Dham eager to catch a glimpse of their revered deity, Shri Ram Lalla. Given the extraordinary influx, VIPs and distinguished individuals are kindly urged to notify the local administration, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust or the Uttar Pradesh government before scheduling their visit to Ayodhya over the next seven to 10 days."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also has advised his cabinet colleagues to avoid or delay Ram temple visit temporarily, citing concern over the heavy rush of devotees and the inconvenience they would experience due to VIP visits who follow protocol.
Modi suggested Union ministers to plan their Ram temple visits after March to ensure smooth crowd management and avoid chaos.
The two days after its consecration ceremony, the Ram temple witnessed 5 lakh and 3 lakh devotees on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also held a meeting in Lucknow to review the crowd management measures and urged VIPs planning to visit the temple, to inform the state government or the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in advance (a week beforehand).
(With PTI inputs)