Yogi pitches for Ram Rajya at Ayodhya

Shahira Naim

Tribune News Service

Lucknow, October 18

Recreating the grandeur of the 'Treta Yug' Diwali in Ayodhya, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said Ram Rajya means no poverty, grief or discrimination and asked his critics not to see political designs behind his government's efforts to develop this historic city.

The government's mega 'Deepotsav' event saw actors portraying the characters of Ram, Sita and Lakshman descending from the skies in a helicopter resembling the mythological ‘Pushpak Viman’ to a grand reception or 'Raj Tilak' led by Yogi.

In a speech that began amid shouts of 'Jai Shri Ram' and 'Bharat Mata ki jai' at Ram Katha Park, the Chief Minister said by envisioning such a magnificent and unique Diwali eve celebration in Ayodhya his government intended to make the city a hub of Indian tourism.

He profusely thanked all main saints associated with the Ramjanambhoomi movement who were present on the dais to grace the occasion. Reinterpreting Rama Rajya, Yogi said the concept of such governance where the last person on the ladder mattered had emerged from Ayodhya, the kingdom of Ram.

"Today under PM Narendra Modi the country is moving towards such a Ram Rajya. Ask those who are to get a house under the Prime Minister Awas Yojana, or have received a free gas connection or free power connection," he said. CM Yogi bestowed schemes worth Rs 137 crore for the all-round development of the holy city, which has recently been elevated to a municipal corporation.

Earlier, Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya said while legal issues had prevented the construction of a grand Ram Temple, none could prevent restoring Ayodhya to its pristine glory.

A picturesque 'Saryu aarti' was started this evening. Interestingly, as part of establishing Ayodhya as a tourist hub another distinctive feature of Benaras has been adapted when close to two lakh diyas were lit on the about half a kilometre stretch of Ram ki Pauri on the Saryu ghats, reminiscent of Dev Deepawali celebrated on Kartik Purnima in Benaras when thousands of diyas illuminate the ghats and are floated on the Ganga.

The sparkling lights of the large number of diyas and the illuminated temples in the backdrop truly provided Ayodhya an enchanted look.

Locals enthusiastically participated in lighting large number of diyas in the hope that their city would create a world record as the previous record of 1.54 lakh diyas was clearly set to be broken.

Union Minister for Tourism KJ Alphons and Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma, ministers of the UP government and saints and seers of Ayodhya as well as a few visible representatives of the minority community were present at the Ram Katha Park which reverberated with chants of 'Jai Shri Ram'. Earlier in the day, a Ram Shobha Yatra with 11 tableaus showcasing the life of Ram from his birth to his return to Ayodhya was taken out on the streets of Ayodhya turning the entire city into a sort of Ramlila stage.

Ram arrives on ‘Pushpak Viman’

Chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ echoed on the banks of the Saryu river as actors portraying the roles of Lord Ram and Sita arrived on a chopper decked up to resemble the mythological ‘Pushpak Viman’ — in a recreation of Lord Rama's return from 14 years of exile to Ayodhya — as part of a grand ‘Deepotsav’ celebration. Close to two lakh diyas were lit on the about half a kilometre stretch of Ram Ki Pauri on the Saryu ghats, reminiscent of Dev Deepawali celebrated on Kartik Purnima in Benaras. Sparkling lights of diyas and illuminated temples in the backdrop provided Ayodhya an enchanted look.