The Yogi Adityanath government has approved the renaming of Ghaziabad’s Turab Nagar market to ‘Sita Ram Bazar’ and Pakora Chowk to ‘Ayodhya Chowk.’ This move, which has been widely welcomed by local traders and residents, marks yet another shift in reclaiming Bharat’s traditional heritage from colonial and Mughal-era impositions. The renaming proposal was tabled in the Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation Board meeting on March 7, 2025, by Ward 88 Councillor Neeraj Goyal.
The decision has been met with jubilation in the business community, with traders in Turab Nagar celebrating by putting up new signboards and distributing sweets. Speaking on the occasion, Turabnagar Vyapar Mandal Chairman Rajneesh Bansal said, “This market has always been a centre of faith and prosperity. Renaming it as ‘Sita Ram Bazar’ aligns with its cultural essence and will further boost its popularity.”
Local traders had been demanding this name change for over a year, arguing that a place known for selling auspicious wedding attire, beauty products, and daily essentials should bear a name that reflects its spiritual and cultural ethos.
“Turab is an Arabic word – It had no relevance here”
Councillor Neeraj Goyal, who led the proposal, emphasised the lack of historical or cultural relevance of the name ‘Turab Nagar.’ He stated, “There is no word ‘Turab Nagar’ in Hindi. In fact, ‘Turab’ is an Arabic word meaning clay, soil, or dry land. This market, however, is vibrant, prosperous, and a place of cultural significance. It deserves a name that reflects its essence.”
He further added, “By renaming it ‘Sita Ram Bazar,’ we are restoring its true identity, one that resonates with the people who trade and shop here.”
Ayodhya Chowk – A tribute to Bharat’s spiritual legacy
Another major highlight of the renaming initiative is the transformation of Pakora Chowk into ‘Ayodhya Chowk.’ The name ‘Pakora Chowk’ lacked any cultural or historical significance, and its renaming serves as an ode to the city of Bhagwan Ram, the revered deity of Sanatan Dharma. Local residents hailed the move as a “bold step toward reclaiming Bharat’s civilisational heritage.”
Adding to the cultural realignment, various lanes within the market have also been renamed after Ramayan and Mahabharat figures. These include:
- Ram Gali
- Laxman Gali
- Bharat Gali
- Shatrughan Gali
- Hanuman Gali
- Arjun Gali
Similarly, lanes on the opposite side have been renamed:
- Sita Gali
- Kaushalya Gali
- Sumitra Gali
- Yudhishthir Marg
This is not the first time the Yogi Adityanath government has taken decisive steps to reclaim historical and religious identity. Earlier, Allahabad was renamed Prayagraj, Mughal Museum in Agra was renamed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum, and Faizabad was renamed Ayodhya. These moves have been part of a broader vision to restore Bharat’s indigenous culture, narratives, and history.
Councillor Goyal concluded by thanking the Mayor and all councillors for their support, stating, “This is not just a renaming; it’s a movement to reclaim our heritage. With this decision, we have taken another strong step toward cultural revival.”
