Ayodhya, Varanasi see unprecedented pilgrim influx

Ayodhya: With the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj drawing millions of devotees for its sacred bathing rituals, the spiritual fervour has spilt over to nearby holy cities, Varanasi and Ayodhya, turning them into bustling hubs of devotion, cultural celebration, and economic activity.

In Varanasi, also known as the City of Temples, over 10 crore devotees are expected to arrive in the coming weeks, with thousands already gathering after participating in Makar Sankranti’s holy dip at the Sangam. By dawn on Wednesday, pilgrims crowded the ghats for the ritualistic Ganga snan and thronged iconic temples like Kashi Vishwanath and Kalbhairav to offer prayers. “After the Kumbh, coming to Kashi for darshan feels like completing a spiritual circuit. The energy here is unmatched,” said Anita Singh, a pilgrim from Delhi.

Local residents are both awed and overwhelmed by the massive turnout. “Varanasi has always been a center of devotion, but the crowds this time are something else,” said Rajesh Verma, who owns a flower stall near the Vishwanath Dham. “While it’s great for business, we’re constantly running out of stock, and the rush makes it difficult to serve everyone.”

Authorities have ramped up temple management, with Vishwanath Dham ensuring seamless darshan arrangements. However, the turnout has posed logistical challenges. “The crowd is a blessing, but we need more facilities to handle it,” said Sunita Mishra, a local resident.

Meanwhile, Ayodhya, the city of Lord Ram, is witnessing historic footfalls, fueled by the Pran Pratishtha Dwadashi celebrations at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple and the influx of pilgrims from Prayagraj after the Maha Kumbh’s first Shahi Snan. Over 2 lakh devotees visited Shri Ram Lalla on Wednesday alone, with the line for darshan at Hanuman Garhi stretching over a kilometre.

Residents of Ayodhya are experiencing a mix of joy and challenges. “Ayodhya is alive with devotion like never before,” said Kavita Mishra, a resident of Ram Kot. “But the streets are so packed that even getting basic supplies is difficult. The government needs to act fast to improve traffic management.”

Local businesses, however, are thriving amidst the surge. “We’ve never seen sales like this,” said Sunil Yadav, who sells sweets near the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple. “The demand for prasad, souvenirs, and snacks is overwhelming. It’s good for business, but we need better infrastructure to sustain this.”