Bus services between Lucknow and Ayodhya have been temporarily halted due to a significant influx in the temple town according to several media reports, following a star-studded ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony that opened the doors of the Ram Mandir to the public. Authorities state that no buses will operate on this route until the situation normalizes.
In Ayodhya, morning visuals depicted a substantial gathering of devotees outside the temple. With an expected daily footfall of over a lakh visitors, the city has witnessed heightened security measures.
Media reports suggest, that approximately 8,000 security personnel from the Uttar Pradesh police, Rapid Action Force (RAF), and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) are stationed at the temple, with eight magistrates overseeing different areas within the temple premises.
Praveen Kumar, Inspector-General of Police Ayodhya talking to news agency ANI, has advised the public to avoid rushing and consider scheduling their visits after two weeks. Despite the continuous crowd, preparations are complete, and he has appealed especially to the elderly and differently-abled individuals to plan their visits for a smoother experience when the temple opens for everyone with enhanced arrangements.