Festival and celebrations

IIE DIGITAL DESK : Ayodhya, March 26: The holy city of Ayodhya has come alive with an overwhelming surge of devotees arriving to celebrate Ram Navami, as thousands throng the Ram Temple complex to offer prayers and seek blessings. From early Thursday morning, pilgrims from different parts of the country began gathering in large numbers, turning the temple town into a sea of faith and devotion.

Long queues were seen outside the newly constructed Ram Temple, where worshippers waited patiently for a glimpse of Ram Lalla. The atmosphere reverberated with chants of “Jai Shri Ram,” devotional songs, and the rhythmic sound of temple bells, as families, elderly pilgrims, and youth groups participated in rituals marking the birth anniversary of Lord Ram. Many devotees described their visit as a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual experience, especially after the grand consecration of the temple earlier this year.

Authorities have significantly strengthened security arrangements across Ayodhya to manage the massive influx of visitors. Additional police personnel have been deployed around the temple premises and key entry points, while surveillance systems and crowd control measures have been put in place to ensure a smooth and safe celebration. Administrative officials are closely monitoring the situation to prevent overcrowding and maintain order during the festivities.

Religious scholars have clarified that the main Ram Navami celebrations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple will take place on Friday, March 27. According to noted astrologer Pandit Rakesh Tiwari, all the auspicious planetary alignments and ritualistic combinations are falling on March 27, making that day the most appropriate for observing the festival. He stated that the grand Surya Tilak ceremony, a unique ritual in which a beam of sunlight is precisely directed onto the forehead of Ram Lalla’s idol at the sanctum, will also be performed on Friday.

The Surya Tilak ritual has drawn significant attention, as it symbolizes divine blessings and is carefully timed according to astronomical calculations. Temple authorities have made elaborate arrangements for the ceremony, which is expected to be witnessed by thousands of devotees and broadcast widely.

Although large crowds gathered on Thursday, the numbers are expected to swell further on Friday, with pilgrims continuing to arrive in anticipation of the main rituals. Hotels, dharamshalas, and local establishments in Ayodhya are reporting heavy bookings, reflecting the spiritual fervor surrounding the occasion.

The celebrations underscore Ayodhya’s renewed prominence as a major pilgrimage destination, with Ram Navami marking one of the most significant festivals in the Hindu calendar. As preparations intensify for the main observance on March 27, the temple town remains immersed in devotion, anticipation, and elaborate ceremonial arrangements.