Bengaluru, Aug 4: Police barricades, yellow banners, walls with a fresh coat of paint and the sounds of bhajan mark parts of Ayodhya as the city awaits its big day Wednesday, when the first brick will be laid for the Ram temple.
Ayodhya is decked up for the bhoomi pujan that will be attended at the Ram Janmabhoomi by 175 people, who figure in a select guest list of seers and politicians topped by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Concerned over the spread of coronavirus, the authorities are encouraging others not to come to the temple town, asking them to mark the occasion by celebrating at their homes. The groundbreaking ceremony will be telecast live.
Roads leading to Ayodhya display hoardings with the picture of the proposed Ram temple and of Ram Lalla, the infant Ram, the deity now housed in a makeshift temple.
Around the town’s Hanumangarhi area – named after a well-known temple which Modi will visit on Wednesday – both police sirens and ‘bhajans’ in praise of Ram are heard.
Most of the shops in the locality wear a new look, with their fronts painted in bright yellow. A large number of policemen were deployed there on Tuesday. Some sat in the sweet shops, waiting for their next instructions.
Roads leading into the area are barricaded. Yards of yellow cloth and marigold garlands were being hung on poles.
Even on the day before the event, security checks on vehicles heading to Ayodhya begin from adjoining Barabanki district itself on the Lucknow-Ayodhya road. Policemen take down details, including mobile numbers of the travellers.
Senior Superintendent of Police Deepak Kumar said the focus of the force is on maintaining the Covid-19 protocol.
“So we are not going to allow any outsider to enter Ayodhya city,” he said. Prohibitory orders are also in force and not more than four people will be allowed to gather.
“The markets and shops will remain open but with strict adherence to the Covid protocol,” he said. Outsiders will be stopped from entering the city, but Ayodhya residents will be allowed in if they produce any identification document.
“We are also carrying out random checks on people living in Ayodhya to ensure that no outsiders are staying here,” he said.
The city’s temples and mosques will remain open, but no other religious event – except for the bhoomi pujan – will take place on Wednesday.
Pickets have been set up at sensitive points in the city.
Sub-inspector Ram Chandra Yadav and constables Avnish Kumar and Ankit Chaudhary man the Terhi Bazar Chauraha picket near the Ram Janmabhoomi site.
"We are here for the past some days, and were on duty on the Rakshabandhan day. Duty comes first and only after that come other things in life, like festivals," Yadav said.
Mayank Gupta, who runs a restaurant, was handing out food packets to policemen, his customers.
"For the last two months, I have been providing tiffin to them twice a day. There are around 100 policemen to whom I supply tiffin," Gupta said.
He also said that he would never accept the award.
Comments
who cares? go to hell
Media made her popular. No valve for this award. I strongly support raviji for this.
I wish that in your next birth you born as a girl in a backward country like Pakistan or Afghanistan , and if then you are able to raise your voice after being shot at and then if you still stay strong and become an inspiration to millions and the word then and only then would you deserve the respect that your are seeking so desperately.
Malala was also a western drama.... More people deserve to be honoured..... But why shriji just opposed malala only..... Shows comunal mentality clearly
I agree with Ravishankarji.
I agree with Ravishankar ji.
Bro Mohammad, #2
There is medicine for JEALOUSY, HATE, CRIME, EVIL habits... But the person should take the change to change himself.
Let the Jealous person read the biography of Prophet Muhammad Pbuh. and also let him read the QURAN which is the Guidance for humanity and how to live life according to the law of God. JEALOUSY will run away automatically if We PONDER on what DIVINE knowledge says to us.
Mr sri sri sri
We all know that your work/service doesn’t come free free free
It’s not a Nobel Prize offer Mr sri sri sri we all know that, at the most, it might have been just a nomination for the prize, which are in hundreds and this information is for you for free free free
He is the no. one duplicate & feku. any one shake him well all his originality will come out. No doubt one day will be soon.
Master Ravi Jeeee First I Thought would have our Great Leader Master Scorer C T Ravi jeee he is right person to award Nobel Peace award. any way Sri / Siri says he was rejected and against to Ms Malala's selection, you all surely know very well, Malala totally un fit to award it but discriminated fools around the world chosen not Maste Narendra Modi selected Ms Malala because you all fools of this criminal minded world knows against of a group or de polarise the entire group. Sri Sri is good to magic man in this world making beautiful woman Fools.
Jai Hoo Narendra Modi.
They gave noble prize for Obama, for what???....I did not find any reason for it....Malala is an inspiration and hope for millions of underprivileged girls around the world...
Really... these awards should be given to Narendra Modi, Mohan Bhagwat, for their rolE to implement successfully Acche din in the country, if this award would have been given to Ravishankar could be better also...Now all are silent this fellow started Barking
Malala Yousafzai has done nothing to deserve Nobel Peace Prize
why did you congratulate #Malala two years ago if you don't think she deserved the @NobelPrize?
WHO CARES FOR U SRI SRI SRI ,
BEC U RAISED THE SLOGAN PAKISTAN ZINDABAD PLEASE GO TO PAKISTAN U HAVE NO RIGHT TO STAY HERE ANYMORE ....
I agree with him. I love Malal for her bravery, but when it comes to Nobel prize what was her contribution?
100% i Agree With Shri Shri Ravi Shanker....
After being shot in the head.. she is still fighting for the rights of girls and children.. you say that she is not deserving one.. then who deserves more??
Shri Shri Ravishankar please stop your non-sense,
This swamiji dont have any work simply putting nose to everything. if this swamiji dont want any award let him sit at ashrama, there is no rule to follow him,
Ravi shankar received padmavibhushana this year,
There is no Medicine for JEALOUSY. Dont waste your precious time try to learn about ISALM. And be prepared for your Future.
Dear Sri,
First pay the Pending TAX to the Govt then give the lecture.You did right thing of giving back the Nobel prize as you your self know that you really dont deserve.
He is a Man with Two Faces.
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