Passengers dress as Lord Ram and Hanuman on first flight to Ayodhya from Ahmedabad

The holy city of Ayodhya, famous for being the birthplace of Lord Ram, witnessed a unique spectacle on January 11, 2024, when the first direct flight from Ahmedabad arrived with passengers dressed as Lord Ram, Lakshman, Sita, and Hanuman. The devotees, who boarded the IndiGo flight, were excited to visit the newly constructed Ram temple, which is scheduled to have its grand consecration ceremony on January 22 this year.
The flight, which took off from Ahmedabad at 8:15 am, was part of the new connectivity initiative launched by IndiGo to link Ayodhya with other major cities in India. The airline started its first flight to Ayodhya from Delhi on January 6, coinciding with the inauguration of the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The airport, which is expected to boost tourism and pilgrimage in the region, will also have direct flights from Mumbai in the coming weeks.

The passengers, who arrived at the Ahmedabad airport in their costumes, said they wanted to express their devotion and joy for the historic occasion. They also said they hoped to get a glimpse of the Ram temple, which has been built on the site where Lord Ram is believed to have been born. There was clear excitement in the air as joyous chants of Jai Shri Ram rang through the airport. The temple, which has been a matter of faith and controversy for decades, was finally cleared for construction after a Supreme Court verdict in 2019. The foundation stone was laid by PM Modi on August 5, 2020, amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The temple, which is being built in the Nagara style of architecture, will have a height of 161 feet and a width of 270 feet. It will have five domes, 360 pillars, and 106 spires. It will also have a museum, a library, a research center, and a food court. The temple complex will cover an area of 67 acres, which will also include a garden, a water body, and a meditation center.
The consecration ceremony, which is expected to attract lakhs of devotees from across the country and abroad, will be held on January 22, which coincides with the Basant Panchami festival. The ceremony will be performed by the chief priest of the temple, Satyendra Das, along with other priests and dignitaries. The ceremony will involve various rituals, such as the installation of the idol of Lord Ram, the invocation of the deities, and the offering of prayers. The ceremony will also be broadcast live on various platforms, such as TV, radio, and social media.