“I have been associated with the Kumbh since 1989 and have always spent at least a month there. Typically, after Basant Panchami, the number of visitors declines, but this time, the crowds remained high until March 1. This is because this Kumbh occurred after 144 years, and everyone wanted to be part of it. The impact of this extended to Ayodhya as well, and I had to travel from Prayagraj to Ayodhya four times for crowd management. A journey that usually takes four hours took ten hours”, said Shri Champat Rai, General Secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra while addressing the valedictory session ‘Virasat Ka corridor’, a one-day confluence “Manthan – Mahakumbh & Beyond” jointly organised by Organiser and Panchjanya at Hotel Taj Mahal in Lucknow on March 12.
While talking about the importance of pilgrimage in Ayodhya, Champat Rai Ji said, “In Ayodhya, three major melas are held prominently, where devotees come for pooja and darshan and then return. But, after the construction of the Ram Mandir began in 2020, the number of visitors increased significantly. Around 25,000 people started visiting on Saturdays and Tuesdays and after the Pran Pratistha on January 22, 2024, the number surged to 75,000 daily, reaching one lakh on weekends. Considering this increase, nearly four crore people must have visited Ayodhya between January 22, 2024, and January 22, 2025. Ayodhya, a relatively small city with a population of just 60,000 in 2011, witnessed significant improvements in its infrastructure after the construction of Ram Mandir. Earlier, the roads were narrow, and cleanliness was a challenge. However, since 2017, the Government has systematically addressed these issues, ensuring daily cleanliness”.
“Recognising the influx of devotees in Ayodhya during the Mahakumbh, the Ram Mandir authorities adjusted the darshan schedule by extending visiting hours, and the midday rest period for Ram Lalla was removed to allow continuous darshan. Between January 15 and February 28, over four lakh people visited Ayodhya daily, with ten trains running between Prayagraj and Ayodhya. People not only visited Prayag and Ayodhya but also Kashi,” he informed. The teerth triangle of Prayagraj, Ayodhya, and Kashi brought immense benefits to society. This boom significantly boosted the local economy. “People who earlier earned Rs 100 a day now earn Rs 1,500,” he added.
Citing an anecdote, Champat Rai Ji said, “One individual took a Rs 1 lakh loan to buy an e-rickshaw in Ayodhya, and by ferrying passengers across only two points, he repaid the loan within a month.” People who questioned the Ram Mandir must see the economic impact of temple construction. All this has instilled a sense of self-respect and uplifted the entire society. The infrastructural development in Ayodhya, Kashi, and Prayag has attracted a large number of people to this teerth triangle.
Champat Rai Ji called upon the Government to establish a dedicated pilgrimage desk separate from tourism to maintain records of the contribution of yatras and melas to the Government fund. “Between February 5, 2020, and February 28, 2025, the Teerth Kshetra Trust has contributed Rs 375 crore to the Government treasury through GST and TDS on the purchase of construction materials and electricity bills. This revenue showcases the economic advantages of pilgrimage,” he informed.
Shedding light on the relevance of teerth yatra, Champat Rai Ji said, “Teerth purifies the mind and fosters a sense of sanctity. It brings people of different castes together, sending a strong message to those who try to divide society.”
