Ayodhya has become the world’s religious capital, with over a crore devotees visiting in just 50 days after the inauguration of the Ram Lalla idol. This surpasses the numbers seen in Vatican City and Mecca. From January 22 onwards when the idol installation took place, no city like Ayodhya has ever seen such an unprecedented increase in devotees. This is one milestone that this sacred city will always celebrate with over one crore pilgrims within just 48 days. Such visitor numbers dwarf those recorded annually even at famous religious sites like Mecca and Vatican City.
The revival of its ancient splendor is almost tangible in Ayodhya. Devotees’ congregations from all parts of the earth here take them back to Treta’s Ayodhya. On festivals and holidays, approximately two lakh people visit the temple each day according to Ram Temple Trust figures. During such times, Ayodhya can be seen jubilantly decorated by thousands of followers who sing and dance their way through its busy streets.
But the spiritual arena is not the only realm affected by this religious reawakening. The city of Ayodhya has become a global pilgrim destination, and this has brought about economic opportunities. Hotels are fully booked, airlines are experiencing heavy traffic, and local businesses are booming. Tourism in the city is at its peak with increasing number of both domestic and foreign tourists who come here to find solace in divine atmosphere prevailing over it.
Ayodhya: The World’s Emerging Spiritual & Religious Capital:
Ayodhya is on a continuous development path when it comes to tourism, according to the Tourism Officer Rajendra Prasad Yadav. From January 22 to March 10, Ayodhya had almost one crore Ram devotees who came to see Ram Lalla. Currently approximately one to one and half lakh devotees visit Ram Lalla every day with initial days recording four to two and half lakh devotees numbers. According to local tourist authorities, Ayodhya has become the spiritual capital of India with hotels fully booked and flights occupied. Some foreigners as well as non-resident Indians are among those arriving in Ayodhya.
| City | Religion | Description | Annual Visitors (in millions) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jerusalem | Judaism, Christianity, Islam | Holy to three major religions, Jerusalem boasts sacred sites like the Western Wall and the Dome of the Rock. | 5 |
| Mecca | Islam | Mecca is the holiest city in Islam and the destination for the Hajj pilgrimage undertaken by millions worldwide. | 13.5 |
| Vatican City | Christianity | As the headquarters of the Catholic Church, Vatican City holds immense significance for Christians worldwide. | 9 |
| Varanasi | Hinduism | Varanasi, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities, is a major pilgrimage destination for Hindus. | 10 |
As per the government records, more than a crore and twenty five lakh devotees have worshipped Ram Lalla since the establishment of the Trust by the government’s record. Now Ayodhya previously being called spiritual capital of India have seen its past glory being revived which is seen as good news for Hindu society. Prakash Gupta, a Trust representative compares pilgrimage done in Ayodhya with Mecca during Hajj or Christian’s pilgrim sites at special days. Every day about two lakhs people come from all over India just leading up until Ram Lalla birthday celebration where there could be between five to ten lakhs on an average.
Champat Rai, Secretary of the Ram Temple Trust, explains that the count of Ram devotees in the temple is monitored using technology. CCTV cameras and software are employed for accurate counting. Devotees spend around an hour for darshan and puja. Rai estimates that approximately one and a half crore devotees have visited the temple in 48 days.
Thus, increase in religious tourism serves to emphasize Ayodhya’s economic potential along with its spiritual importance. Development of infrastructure would occur within such cities as employment opportunities arise from them becoming religious world capitals for example; cultural exchange shall also be found due to influx of tourist into these pilgrim towns like Ayodhya whose inhabitants embrace their heritage and welcome visitors with open hearts.
Also Read – Top 10 Best Must Visit Tourist Places To Visit In Ayodhya
