Ayodhya: For thousands who flocked to Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh earlier this month, the ‘pran pratishtha‘ of an idol of Ram Lalla at the newly constructed temple was an epoch-making moment. The temple town was swarming with devotees and security personnel attached with the UP Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), Rapid Action Force (RAF), and state police.
On the day of the consecration, thousands of devotees lined up the streets of Ayodhya to catch a glimpse of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and other VVIPs who were to take part in the ceremony. Officials estimate that Ayodhya could witness a daily footfall of as many as 4-5 lakh devotees in the coming weeks.
ThePrint’s Senior Photojournalist Suraj Singh Bisht captures the fervour that swept over Ayodhya in the run-up to and after the ‘pran pratishtha‘.