Overwhelming Response: 3.5 Lakh Devotees Throng Ram Mandir on Opening Day Despite Chilling Cold

In a heartening display of faith, an astounding 3.5 lakh devotees flocked to Ram Mandir on its opening day, undeterred by the chilling winter cold. The long-awaited moment witnessed an immense turnout, with devotees braving the shivering mornings to seek darshan of Ram Lalla.

The pilgrimage to Ram Mandir began on a grand scale, with as many as 10,000 devotees occupying the temple premises from the early hours of Tuesday. The atmosphere was charged with devotion as the faithful embarked on the sacred journey to witness the majestic temple.

To ensure a smooth flow of pilgrims and maintain security, no vehicles were allowed on the road connecting to the temple, and devotees were permitted to reach the temple only on foot. Even e-rickshaws were restricted, emphasizing the focus on pedestrian access.

However, the overwhelming rush led to concerns, as devotees had to wait for long hours, prompting some to attempt pushing through the security cordon. The surge in crowd size raised fears of a potential stampede, causing a few devotees to reluctantly return without darshan. Many expressed their intention to return when the rush subsides.

The temple authorities have established darshan hours from 7 am to 11.30 am and from 2 pm to 7 pm, providing a structured approach to managing the devotee influx. Uttar Pradesh Police, in collaboration with the temple trust, has implemented crowd control measures, deploying additional forces to prevent untoward incidents.

To further enhance safety, disaster relief forces have been stationed at the location, ready to respond to any emergency situation. The authorities anticipate an increase in pilgrim numbers in the coming days and are actively working to ensure a secure and spiritual experience for all devotees visiting the historic Ram Mandir.