The Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra has urged devotees living near Ayodhya to postpone their visits by 15-20 days to prioritize those traveling from distant locations for darshan. The appeal comes in response to an overwhelming influx of devotees during this period, creating challenges for crowd management.

The ongoing preparations for the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, beginning January 13, and the upcoming Mauni Amavasya snan on January 29, have resulted in heightened activity in religious hubs like Ayodhya and Varanasi. This has placed immense pressure on the state administration to handle the rising number of pilgrims.

Champat Rai, Chairman of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, addressed the issue on X, stating that the sudden rise in the number of devotees has caused difficulties for those seeking darshan of Ramlala. He acknowledged the limitations posed by Ayodhya’s size and infrastructure in accommodating the growing crowd effectively.

He added that to prevent any untoward incident, it’s necessary to make appropriate changes in the systems.

“It is our request that the devotees from nearby areas should come to Ayodhya for darshan after 15-20 days so that the devotees coming from far away places can easily have darshan of the Lord. This will provide convenience to everyone,” Champat Rai said, appealing to the devotees.

He further urged the ‘nearby’ devotees to plan a visit after Basant Panchami (February 2) as the weather will also be more pleasant.

Meanwhile, the Mauni Amavasya snan on January 29 in Prayagraj is expected to draw approximately 10 crore devotees. Many are likely to proceed to Ayodhya after the ritual, further increasing the pressure on transportation networks and local facilities.

The trust’s request aims to streamline the flow of pilgrims and enhance the overall experience for all visitors during this spiritually significant period.

–IANS