Ram Mandir inauguration: Adityanath says 100 chartered flights expected at Ayodhya airport on Jan 22

Shri Ram International Airport will be inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi on December 30/ PTI

As the historic Ram Mandir inauguration at Ayodhya nears, the Uttar Pradesh's chief minister said that around 100 chartered flights are expected to land at the Ayodhya airport on January 22. As the ceremony is nearing, hundreds of devotees and tourists have already started reaching Ayodhya.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday said 100 chartered flights are expected to land at the Ayodhya airport for the Ram Mandir inauguration ceremony on January 22. The Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 30. The UP tourism recently also announce its plan to start water ways and helicopter services for the pilgrims wanting to be present at Ayodhya for Ram Mandir inauguration event.

Adityanath said he estimates that around 100 chartered flights are expected to land at the Ayodhya airport on January 22. He was speaking at the virtual function for the inauguration of the Ayodhya to Ahmedabad flight by IndiGo.

Meanwhile, as the Ram Mandir inauguration nears, the Hindu rituals ahead of the ceremony have begun. On Thursday, the Yajurveda verses recitation started in the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir complex in Ayodhya. The verse chanting will continue for the next four days.

From January 14 to January 22, Ayodhya will mark the Amrit Mahotsav. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, during his first visit of the year 2024 to Ayodhya on Tuesday, directed officials to implement the 'Kumbh model of cleanliness' in Ayodhya and ensure that the 'Ramnagari' must appear as the cleanest and beautiful city. "Dust should not be visible on the roads, and toilets must be cleaned daily," he said.

The local civic body has decided to deploy 800 cleaning staff in Ayodhya to present a clean city for the devotees ahead of Makar Sankranti festival and Lord Ram's Pran Pratishtha ceremony. As the number of tourists and pilgrims visiting Ayodhya continues to rise, the city is facing an increasing demand for facilities and services to meet the growing demand. The deployment of the cleaning staff will be completed with the engagement of appropriate manpower for a limited period of two months. During this time, there will be 24x7 deployment of temporary workers in shifts.

(With ANI and PTI inputs)