Ayodhya:

Police intercepted a drone camera flying over the Ram temple route here during a trial of an anti-drone system on Tuesday and shot it down, officials said.

Police lodged an FIR stating that it was a deep conspiracy to create chaos at the Ram temple that might kill devotees in large number.

However, police refused to give further details saying a probe is on in the case.

According to sources, the conspirator has been identified and he is from Gurugram, Haryana.

Earlier, officials said a bomb disposal squad conducted a thorough examination of the drone camera and confirmed that there was no security threat. The case has been registered at the Ram Janmabhoomi police station.

The authorities in Ayodhya have activated the anti-drone security mechanism. Flying drones over the Ram temple is strictly prohibited.

“This system can detect any drone within a 2.5-kilometre radius. During the drill, security forces intercepted a drone camera hovering over the Ram Janmabhoomi temple route,” a police official said.

Police have launched an investigation to trace the drone operator, with intelligence agencies maintaining strict vigilance.

Earlier this year, a senior officer in Lucknow told PTI that the Uttar Pradesh Police had used the high-tech and sophistication anti-drone system for the first time during the consecration of Ram Lalla’s idol at the Ram temple here on January 22, 2024.

The same anti-drone technology has been used for aerial cover at the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj and only a few states like Gujarat in the country have till date used it, the officer had said. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Ayodhya:

Ayodhya witnessed a huge surge of devotees on the Republic Day with more than 25 lakh people visiting the Ram temple, according to a statement.

According to the statement, the devotees are visiting the Ram Lalla temple and the Hanumangarhi temple.

With the Maha Kumbh going on in Prayagraj, the state government had anticipated the possibility of a large number of devotees reaching Ayodhya.

The Janmabhoomi Path, leading to Ram Mandir, and the Bhakti Path and Dharam Path, leading to Hanumangarhi, are witnessing a huge influx of devotees.

Municipal commissioner Santosh Sharma said all arrangements have been made for the visitors.

In view of the crowd, additional police force has been deployed at the Ram temple and Hanumangarhi. Women police personnel have also been deployed.

Police in plain clothes are keeping an eye on suspects.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Indore:

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Monday said the date of consecration of Ram Temple in Ayodhya should be celebrated as “Pratishtha Dwadashi” as the “true independence” of Bharat, which faced “parachakra” (enemy attack) for several centuries, was established on this day.

An idol of Ram Lalla was consecrated at the grand Ayodhya temple on January 22, 2024, in a landmark event led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, as per the Hindu lunar calendar, the consecration ceremony completed one year on January 11, 2025.

Bhagwat asserted that the Ram temple movement was not started to oppose anyone.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief insisted this movement was started to awaken the “self” (swa) of Bharat so that the country could stand on its own feet and show the path to the world.

He was speaking after presenting the “National Devi Ahilya Award” to Champat Rai, general secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, in Indore.

Bhagwat pointed out there was no discord in the country during the consecration of Ram temple in Ayodhya last year.

After receiving the award, Rai declared he is dedicating this honour to all known and unknown people of the Ram Mandir movement who helped in building the grand Ram temple in the Uttar Pradesh town.

Referring to different phases of struggles faced by the movement, Rai said the temple was a symbol of “Hindustan ki Moonchh (moustache)” (the national pride) and he was just a medium for its construction.

The prestigious award is given every year by the Indore-based social organization, “Shri Ahilyotsav Samiti”, to prominent persons in recognition of their contribution in different social spheres.

Former Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan is the president of this organization.

Addressing the gathering, Mahajan said a grand memorial dedicated to Devi Ahilyabai, the iconic ruler of the former Holkar dynasty of Indore, will be built in the city so that people become familiar with her life character.

Over the years, the National Devi Ahilya Award has been given to well-known personalities like Nanaji Deshmukh, Vijaya Raje Scindia, Raghunath Anant Mashelkar and Sudha Murty. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has announced that the first anniversary of the Ram Mandir’s Pran Pratishtha ceremony will be observed on January 11, 2025, instead of January 22 — the consecration date in 2024. 

The decision to shift the celebration date stems from the trust’s desire to follow the traditional Hindu calendar rather than the Gregorian one.

According to the Hindu lunar calendar, the consecration ceremony took place on Paush Shukla Paksha Dwadashi, also known as Kurma Dwadashi, the 12th day of the waxing moon in the month of Paush. In 2025, this auspicious date falls on January 11.

प्रतिष्ठा द्वादशी के पावन पर्व पर आप सबको हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ

Best wishes to everyone on the occasion of Pratishtha Dwadashi pic.twitter.com/ywpi185qQ5

— Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra (@ShriRamTeerth) January 11, 2025

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the trust wrote, “The first anniversary of the Prana Pratishtha of Shri Ram Lalla Vigraha at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya will be celebrated on January 11, 2025. This occasion will be known as ‘Pratishtha Dwadashi’.”

To commemorate the first anniversary, the temple trust has planned a series of rituals, prayers, and cultural programmes from January 11 to January 13. These events will give devotees and saints a chance to honour Lord Ram and participate in the temple’s ongoing spiritual journey.

The Pran Pratishtha ceremony on January 22, 2024, was attended by thousands of devotees and dignitaries. While the core structure was ready for the consecration of  Ram Lalla’s idol, the entire temple complex is still under construction. Initially slated for completion by June 2025, the project has been delayed to September 2025.

The construction of the Ram Temple comes after a prolonged legal battle that concluded with the Supreme Court ruling in favour of the temple in November 2019. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the nation, declared the consecration of Ram Lalla’s idol as the advent of a new era.

The first anniversary of the Prana Pratishtha of Shri Ram Lalla Vigraha at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya will be celebrated on January 11, 2025. This occasion will be known as “Pratishtha Dwadashi,” and shall feature the following programs:

1. Yajna Mandap (Mandir…

— Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra (@ShriRamTeerth) December 26, 2024

Constructed in the traditional Nagara style of architecture, the temple spans 380 feet in length, 250 feet in width, and rises to a height of 161 feet. Once fully completed, it will feature three floors, 392 intricately carved pillars and 44 gates.

Since the consecration, Ayodhya has emerged as a major pilgrimage hub. In the first half of 2024, Uttar Pradesh attracted 32.98 crore tourists, with Ayodhya and Varanasi accounting for a significant share, according to state tourism data.

Ayodhya:

The temple towns of Ayodhya and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday witnessed an unprecedented rush of devotees on the first day of the New Year.

The Ram temple at Ayodhya was consecrated on January 22 last year.

According to local administration estimates, over two lakh devotees had already set up camps in Ayodhya on New Year Eve. On Wednesday morning, approximately three lakh more people arrived to pay homage to the deity of Ram Lalla.

The eagerness of devotees was palpable as they lined up for ‘darshan’ of the idol which was unveiled at sunrise on the first day of the year.

In Varanasi, a massive crowd of devotees thronged the sacred premises of Baba Shri Kashi Vishwanath temple from 3 am on Wednesday. The rush continued till late evening as part of New Year celebrations.

The temple administration reported that by 4 pm, a whopping 3.5 lakh devotees had visited the temple to offer prayers and seek the blessings of Baba Shri Kashi Vishwanath.

In a statement, Ram Temple Trust general secretary Champat Rai said the entire world is celebrating the New Year according to the Gregorian calendar. The winter season coupled with a holiday break contributed to the high number of visitors, he explained.

With schools, courts and agricultural work closed for the season, he said “people often take vacations during this time”.

“Increasingly, Ayodhya has become a prime destination for pilgrims instead of more traditional tourist spots like Goa, Nainital, Shimla or Mussoorie,” Rai said.

The Ayodhya administration divided the city into multiple sectors and zones to regulate the large crowds. Heavy police presence was deployed to manage the surging crowds. Traffic restrictions were imposed and round-the-clock vehicle inspections were conducted, local officials said.

The increase in the number of devotees had begun a day earlier. By Tuesday evening, more than two lakh pilgrims had already completed ‘darshan’. Hotels, dharamshalas and homestays were fully booked as both local and outstation visitors poured into the town.

Similar scenes unfolded at the Hanumangarhi temple, where the crowds remained steady from the early morning ‘aarti’ until the ‘shayan aarti’ in the evening.

To accommodate the massive influx, the administration had prepared 10 additional visitor galleries along the Ram Janmabhoomi path, expanding the number of darshan lines from 10 to 20. Special security measures were also enforced to ensure the safety of the devotees.

Ayodhya Deputy Superintendent of Police Ashutosh Tiwari added that the city has been divided into seven security sectors and 24 zones, with senior officers deployed in each area. Drone cameras are used to monitor crowded locations and traffic movement was strictly controlled to avoid congestion and ensure public safety.

In Varanasi, the Chief Executive Officer of Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Vishwa Bhushan Mishra, said the number of visitors has been rising steadily since December 28. On the occasion of New Year, temple authorities had anticipated the high influx and took steps to manage the situation efficiently.

“The crowd started gathering early in the morning and by 4 pm, we had already witnessed 3.5 lakh devotees. The numbers continue to rise and devotees are still queuing to seek darshan,” said Mishra.

In response to the overwhelming crowd, temple officials had imposed certain restrictions. To manage the large number of visitors, Baba’s “touch darshan” was prohibited on both December 31 and January 1. Additionally, entry into the sanctum sanctorum was restricted and vehicles were banned from entering Maidagin to Godaulia road to ensure smooth movement of pilgrims.

To ensure public safety and prevent any untoward incidents, the district police have been on high alert. DCP Kashi Zone, Gaurav Bansal, stated that extensive security measures were in place with five sectors created and 45 duty points established within the Kashi Vishwanath temple complex.

Security personnel have also been deployed at key temples and ghats across the city, including the Baba Kaal Bhairav temple and Sankat Mochan temple, where 11 and 8 duty points respectively were set up.

Special forces, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Water Police and Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) have been stationed at various ghats, anticipating a large crowd for the New Year celebrations. In case of emergencies, 12 quick reaction teams (QRTs) are on standby.

The security arrangements and crowd control measures reflect the temple’s efforts to ensure a safe and peaceful experience for the devotees visiting the Kashi Vishwanath temple on this special occasion, Bansal said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Lucknow:

The controversy over the alleged adulteration of Tirupati Temple laddus has sparked reactions from Ayodhya, Prayagraj, and Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, with calls for reform in the preparation and distribution of ‘prasad’.

In Ayodhya, the chief priest of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, Satyendra Das, demanded a “complete ban” on prasad prepared by external agencies.

He expressed concerns over the purity of ghee used in temple offerings, urging that “all prasad should be prepared under the supervision of temple priests”.

“The controversy over the alleged use of fat and meat in Tirupati Balaji’s prasad is escalating across the country,” Das noted, emphasising the need for stringent inspections of the quality of oil and ghee sold nationwide.

He alleged that there was an international conspiracy to desecrate temples by mixing inappropriate substances in offerings.

In Mathura, the Dharma Raksha Sangh announced its decision to revert to the “ancient style” of ‘prasadam’ recipes, replacing commercially produced sweets with offerings made from fruits, flowers and other natural ingredients.

Saurabh Gaur, the national president of the Sangh, stressed the need for significant reforms in the prasadam system, saying, “A consensus had been reached among religious leaders and organisations to return to traditional practices of offering and accepting pure, Satvik Prasadam.” In ‘Sangam city’ Prayagraj, several temples, including Alop Shankari Devi, Bade Hanuman, and Mankameshwar, have banned devotees from bringing sweets and processed items as offerings.

Shiv Murat Mishra, the chief priest of the Lalita Devi Temple, said the management decided to request devotees to bring only coconuts, fruits, and dry fruits.

“Until the purity of the sweets is clear in the investigation, they will not be allowed to be offered in the temple,” said Mahant Shridharanand Brahmachari Ji Maharaj of the Mankameshwar Temple.

Yamuna Puri Maharaj, chief patron of the Alop Shankari Devi Temple and secretary of Shri Panchayati Akhara Mahanirvani, said devotees will not be allowed to bring sweets and prasad from outside.

Mahant Balbir Giri Ji Maharaj, the patron of the Bade Hanuman temple located on the Sangam coast and head of the Shrimath Baghambari Gaddi, said, “After the construction of the corridor of the temple is completed, the temple management itself will prepare ‘laddu-peda’ prasad for the Shri Bade Hanuman temple.”

On Monday, the famous Mankameshwar temple in Lucknow also banned offerings bought by devotees from outside and said they could offer homemade ‘prasad’ or fruits.

The temple management said it was also taking steps to ensure the purity of prasad offered on the site, with plans to conduct quality checks and potentially establish its own prasad production facilities.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had last week claimed that substandard ingredients and animal fat were used in the preparation of laddus at the Tirupati Temple during the previous government.

The YSRCP responded by accusing Naidu of making baseless allegations for political gains, leading to the formation of a Special Investigation Team to probe the claims. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Washington:

A replica of Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir would be on display during the India Day parade in New York on August 18, which attracts thousands of Indian Americans from in and around New York.

The replica of the temple would be 18 feet long, nine feet wide and eight feet in height, according to Amitabh Mittal, general secretary of Vishva Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA). This would be the first time that a replica of the Ram Mandir would be on display in the United States.

The annual India Day Parade in New York is the largest celebration of India’s Independence Day outside India. More than 150,000 people normally watch the annual parade which runs from East 38th Street to East 27th Street in Midtown New York.

Organised by Federation of Indian Associations (FIA), the parade will see scores of floats representing various Indian American communities and a diversity of culture running through the streets of New York.

The VHPA-A recently organised a Ram Mandir Rath Yatra that visited 851 temples in 48 States over 60 days.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Six months after the grand opening of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the first round of showers has caused heavy waterlogging in the temple town raising questions over its swift and massive infrastructure overhaul.

The newly built Ram Path road in Ayodhya – which leads to the Ram Temple – has suffered several cave-ins since seasonal rain hit the temple town.

After potholes came up on the 14-km stretch, authorities said they immediately got the road repaired to avoid any inconvenience for the devotees. The Yogi Adityanath government has suspended six civic officials over “gross negligence,” officials said.

Ayodhya mayor Girish Pati Tripathi said that efforts to flush out the rainwater were launched soon after the waterlogging was reported.

Leakage was also reported at the temple after heavy rain at midnight last Saturday. The Chief Priest of the Ram Temple, had on Monday claimed that rainwater that was leaking from the roof of the temple was collecting inside the complex. He also claimed that there was no arrangement to flush out the rainwater from the temple premises.

Rejecting the leakage claims, Champat Rai, General Secretary of the Temple Trust, however, said “not a single drop of water” dripped from the roof, nor had water entered the Sanctum Sanctorum or ‘Garbha Griha’.from anywhere. He also said that “excellent arrangements” have been made at the temple to drain rainwater.

Mr Rai said that while it appeared that water was leaking from the roof, it was in fact coming from a conduit pipe due to ongoing construction work on the first floor of the temple.

Nripendra Misra, chairman of the Ram Temple Construction Committee, had earlier said that the alleged water leakage at the Ram Mandir was “expected because the Guru Mandap is exposed to the sky” as the construction work was still on, but the water never entered the ‘Garbha Griha’.

“I am in Ayodhya. I saw the rainwater falling from the first floor. This is expected because Guru Mandap is exposed to the sky as the second floor and completion of Shikhar will cover this opening. There is no drainage in the Sanctum Santorum because all the Mandaps have measured slope for clearance of water and the water in Sanctum Santorum is manually absorbed,” Mr Mishra had told ANI on Monday.

The opposition leaders, however, were quick to pounce on the BJP, alleging that there was large scale corruption in the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. ”Even the places of worship are sources of loot for the BJP,” UP Congress President Ajay Rai said.

The Ram Temple in Ayodhya was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 22. Considered the birthplace of Lord Ram, Ayodhya’s Ram Temple is one of the holiest sites in Hindusim.

Ayodhya:

The construction of the entire Ram Temple complex in Ayodhya is likely to be completed by March 2025, while the first and second floors of the temple will be completed by July-end and December this year, respectively. This information was given by Nripendra Mishra, Chairman of the Ram Mandir Construction Committee.

“Construction of the first floor of the temple will be completed by the end of next month. Thereafter, work will begin for the second floor,” Nripendra Mishra told reporters.

“We have set a target to complete the second floor by the end of December this year and the entire temple complex by March next year,” he added.

The statues to be installed at the temple will be carved out of Makrana marble from Rajasthan and the trust has floated a tender to select four sculptors for the job.

More than 1.75 crore devotees have visited the Ram Mandir till date, after its opening on January 22 this year.

“On average, one lakh devotees visit the temple every day. Since its opening, around 1.75 crore devotees have visited the temple. This figure will reach two crore by the end of this month,” said Nripendra Mishra.

He added that the work on the Ram Katha Museum was starting now and a concept note had been made for it.

The galleries for the displays would be built according to requirement with arrangements for power and air conditioning.

He added, “Our tourism department has made films on Ram Katha. We will try to open the digital gallery for devotees by July 15 or latest by August 15.”

“With the help of the Union government a film on the life of Lord Hanuman will be made in 7D in a gallery. The work for this will be completed in the next five to six months,” he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Ayodhya:

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan visited the Ram temple here on Wednesday and bowed before the deity.

Kerala Raj Bhawan, in a post on X, said the governor visited the Ram Temple and had a darshan.

“I came to Ayodhya twice in January. The feeling at that time is the same even today. I have come to Ayodhya many times. It is not just a matter of happiness for us, instead it is a matter of pride, that coming to Ayodhya and worshipping Shriram,” the governor told reporters.

Hon’ble Governor Shri Arif Mohammed Khan at Prabhu Shri Ram Temple Ayodhya: PRO KeralaRajBhavan pic.twitter.com/wCzZCSirLt

— Kerala Governor (@KeralaGovernor) May 8, 2024

In a video posted on the official X handle of the Kerala Governor showing Mr Khan bowing before the idol of Ram Lalla, the chant ‘Jai Shree Ram’ could be heard in the background.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)