Ayodhya is observing the first anniversary of the consecration of the Ram Darbar with religious ceremonies beginning early in the morning with the Mangala Aarti. Large numbers of devotees gathered at the temple premises from the morning to offer prayers.
Devotees raised chants of “Jai Shri Ram” while offering prayers to Lord Ram, Mata Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman. The temple has been specially decorated with flowers and decorative lighting.
A devotional atmosphere was witnessed during the Mangala Aarti at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, where special adornments for the deities were carried out amid Vedic chants and conch shell sounds. Devotees stood in queues from the morning awaiting darshan.
A ceremonial offering of 56 bhog will be presented to the deity in the afternoon, with special preparations made in the temple premises. Various sweets, fruits and traditional dishes have been included in the offering. According to priests, the bhog is regarded as a symbol of devotion and dedication to the deity.
Religious programmes have led to festival-like activity across Ayodhya, with large numbers of devotees arriving from distant states. Crowds have also been reported at hotels, dharamshalas and ghats.
A grand Maha Aarti will be organised at the banks of the Saryu River in the evening. The Saryu ghats are expected to be illuminated by thousands of lamps amid chants during the ceremony. The administration expects a large turnout of devotees.
The Uttar Pradesh Police and district administration have made extensive security arrangements. Additional police personnel have been deployed at the temple premises and key routes, while surveillance is being carried out through drone cameras and CCTV systems.
Special arrangements for drinking water, medical assistance and traffic control have been made for devotees. The administration has appealed to people to remain patient and follow designated routes.
Crowds of devotees have also increased at Hanumangarhi and other prominent temples, with many worshippers visiting additional religious sites alongside the Ram Temple.
Photographs and videos of the religious programmes in Ayodhya are also being widely shared on social media, with devotees posting visuals of the temple decoration, aarti and bhajan-kirtan.
Religious leaders said the anniversary of the consecration of the Ram Darbar represents not only a religious event but also a symbol of faith and cultural sentiment for millions of devotees.
The Ayodhya district administration said bhajan, kirtan and religious programmes will continue until late at night, with devotional and festive activity continuing across the city.
