Ayodhya Ram Temple event: Police plan routes, boost security

The upcoming consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, scheduled for January 22, has prompted a meeting chaired by the Lucknow Joint Commissioner of Police. During the gathering, discussions revolved around alternative routes and security arrangements for the event, with a focus on ensuring a smooth journey to Ayodhya.

Presently, the primary route to Ayodhya is through Kamta to Chinhat Matiyari via Barabanki, but the utilization of the alternative Sultanpur route has declined. In response, efforts are being made to raise awareness about these alternative routes, as stated by Upendra Kumar Agarwal, Lucknow Joint Commissioner of Police.

Simultaneously, security measures and patrolling have been intensified in anticipation of the grand ceremony. Scheduled for January 22 at 12:20 pm, the consecration ceremony will be attended by numerous VVIP guests, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The invitation cards for the ceremony reflect the grandeur of the temple. Each set comprises the main invitation card, the “Pran Pratishtha” program card, and a booklet detailing the journey of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and the individuals involved.

The main invitation card features a silhouetted image of the upcoming Ram temple with the inscription ‘Shree Ram Dham’ and ‘Ayodhya.’ The “Pran Pratishtha” program card also carries a silhouetted image of the temple, describing the event as “Ceremony Special” in Hindi.

Inside the ceremony card, details mention the presence of dignitaries such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat, UP Governor Anandiben Patel, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and temple trust president Mahant Nritya Gopal Das.

The ceremony extends invitations to actors Arun Govil and Dipika Chikhlia, who portrayed Lord Ram and Goddess Sita in the TV serial “Ramayan,” along with 4,000 seers from across the country.

The main invitation card includes images of the temple and “Baalrup Prabhu Ram,” depicting the deity in a youthful avatar. Details about the ceremony, including the date and auspicious moments, are outlined on subsequent pages.

Furthermore, the invitation card delves into the historical struggle to build the temple, referencing the Supreme Court’s 2019 verdict that paved the way for the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The ruling directed the Centre to allocate an alternative five-acre plot for the Sunni Waqf Board to build a new mosque in a prominent location in Ayodhya.