As Ayodhya gears up for the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple next month, a set of imposing sun-themed pillars -- 'Surya Stambhs' -- are being installed along a prominent road of the temple town. Pics/PTI
Updated On: 2023-12-27 09:42 PM IST
Compiled by : Asif Ali Sayed
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to arrive at the temple town on December 30. During his visit, Modi will inaugurate the redeveloped Ayodhya railway station and a new airport, and address a rally, officials earlier said
From a temple motif along with 'Jai Shri Ram' chant to Swastika symbol, shutters of shops located along the Ram Path and other prominent streets in Ayodhya have been decorated with Hindu-theme artwork ahead of the consecration ceremony in January
The work has been done by local authorities as part of the efforts to deck up the city for the 'pran pratishtha' that will take place on January 22, a senior official said
The Ram Path, a name now given to a redeveloped 13-km road that connects Sahadatganj and Naya Ghat, has a large number of shops on both sides. The stretch from Birla Dharmshala to Naya Ghat is currently dotted with vendors selling saffron flags bearing 'Jai Shri Ram', images of Lord Ram, Ram Durbar, and an artistic rendition of the upcoming Ram temple
Artworks on shutters of shops located along Ram Path include a temple silhouette with a chant 'Jai Shri Ram', Swastika symbol, images of a conch, a mace, or 'Shri Ram' written in Hindi in a calligraphic style, a fluttering saffron flag, a Sun, bow and arrow, and images of 'tilak' as sported by followers of different sects of Hinduism
Framed images of Lord Ram and replicas of Ram temple are also being sold by many vendors along this stretch
As part of the redevelopment, a new facade has been lent to the frontage of the structures along this route, bearing a creamish hue while shutters have been largely painted in a uniform dark maroon
Shops along the Ram Path and streets leading to the temple site carry uniform boards displaying their names and also the logo of the Ayodhya Development Authority
Each shutter bears one artwork and after the markets close at night, present a very different view of the area