Since the grand consecration of Lord Ram at the newly built Ram Temple on January 22, 2024, Ayodhya has experienced an extraordinary surge in pilgrim footfall. According to the Uttar Pradesh government, over 5.5 crore devotees from across India and abroad have visited the temple in the past five months, establishing the temple as a premier global spiritual destination.
The influx has included not only the general public but also a significant number of VIPs. Around 4.5 lakh dignitaries, including Union ministers, governors, chief ministers, and noted personalities from the entertainment, business, and sports sectors, have visited the temple to offer prayers.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken personal interest in ensuring a smooth experience for all visitors. The administration has been directed to maintain efficiency in arrangements for darshan and uphold security measures for the comfort and safety of pilgrims.
With the completion of the temple’s first phase and Lord Ram now seated on the first floor, Ayodhya’s spiritual and cultural prominence has grown further. In response to the influx, the state government has strengthened public transport connectivity and enhanced infrastructure to accommodate the growing number of visitors.
The temple’s inauguration ceremony was attended by prominent Indian and international dignitaries. Since then, the stream of high-profile visitors has continued. Celebrities such as Amitabh Bachchan, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Anushka Sharma have paid their respects at the temple. More recently, Errol Musk, father of entrepreneur Elon Musk, visited Ayodhya with his sister. Clad in traditional Indian clothing, he described the visit as a “wonderful” experience.
Divisional Commissioner Gaurav Dayal confirmed the ongoing efforts to maintain crowd management and security. To facilitate orderly darshan, the temple authorities have introduced an online pass system, allowing both regular devotees and VIPs to plan their visits conveniently.
With pilgrim numbers expected to rise further, Ayodhya is poised to continue its transformation into a vibrant global center of faith and heritage.