Ayodhya: With just a week left for the grand bhoomi pujan of the Ram temple here by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Lord Ram's birth place is swiftly turning saffron with paintings depicting Ramayana adorning the city and sounds of Chaupai reverberating from the speakers.
Ayodhya District Magistrate Anuj Kumar Jha told UNI here on Wednesday that August 5 would be a memorable day though the functions, including religious rituals for the Bhoomi pujan, would commence from August 3.
He said the PM is also likely to announce several projects, including some religious, for Ayodhya."Ayodhya is being decorated with paintings depicting Ramayana period on the walls and other places while celebrations will start from August 3 when all the shrines, ghats, mutts would be illuminated and bhajans and religious songs would be sung continuously, " he added.
Mr Jha, however, hastened to add that due to Corona pandemic, all precautions would be in place with restrictions on large gatherings.An another official said that around 3,000 loudspeakers would be installed around the temple city which will create a religious atmosphere with broadcast of bhajans throughout the day. These sound system will also broadcast the speech of the PM live and other information, including the religious rituals of the bhoomi pujan.
According to sources, already over 20,000 earthen and copper Kalash have arrived with sacred waters of different rivers along with soil to be used for the pooja. However, several more thousands are on the way and around one lakh kalash are likely to arrive before August 5 from far-flung areas.
On the other hand, Uttar Pradesh government is leaving no stone unturned to make the event a grand one in line with Prayagraj Kumbh held in January 2019. The sources further said that on the occasion PM is expected to lay the foundation and inaugurate projects with over Rs 25,000 crore for Ayodhya to develop it as the most modern and religious city of the world.
The expected projects were 251 meter high idol of Lord Ram on the Saryu banks, a new hi-tech city in 600 acre area, Shree Ramchandra International airport, Cruise from Ayodhya to Kolkata along with chain of roads and beautification of the city.
Meanwhile, Shree Ramjanambhoomi Tirath Khetra Trust, office in-charge Prakash Gupta said here that pilgrims have started pouring in from different parts of the country for participation in the Bhoomi pujan.They also brought sacred water and soil from different rivers and temples and deposited it in the Trust office.(UNI)
