Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 1 (HBTV): Highlighting the development carried out by the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh government in Ayodhya, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said that where bullets were once fired at those coming to the city, today devotees are welcomed with a shower of flowers.

The Chief Minister was apparently referring to the police firing on karsevaks during the Ram Janmabhoomi protest in 1990.

‘At one time, only a few devotees used to come here, but today lakhs of devotees are coming here for darshan. Today, Ayodhya is getting an identity. Those who came to Ayodhya 10 years ago will not be able to recognise Ayodhya today,’ Adityanath said while addressing a gathering at Pushpavatika. He attended the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Darbar at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple.

‘Earlier, bullets were fired at people coming to Ayodhya, lathis were used, but today, people are welcomed to Ayodhya with a shower of flowers,’ he added.

The Chief Minister credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the cleanliness and restoration of the Ganga.

‘Modi ji has done the work of maintaining the purity of Maa Ganga. There was no development under the previous government, but Ganga got polluted,’ he said.

‘We are continuously working for the development of Ayodhya. This is the reason why Ayodhya is being discussed far and wide. Ayodhya is connected to the country and the world. Today, all the ghats of Ayodhya are attracting the world,’ he added.

CM Yogi said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had re-established India's pride in Ayodhya.

‘Today is an important day. On 22 January 2024, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, ending the long wait of 500 years, the programme of Pran Pratishtha of Lord Ram was completed in Ayodhya Dham... India’s pride was re-established in Ayodhya Dham by PM Modi... The programme of Pran Pratishtha of the grand Ram Darbar has been completed in Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Ayodhya Dham,’ he said.

The Chief Minister congratulated the people of Ayodhya and all followers of Sanatan Dharma.

‘On this occasion, I heartily congratulate the people of Ayodhya, the people of the state and all the followers of Sanatan Dharma living in the country and the world and bow to all the officials associated with the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple Trust and express my gratitude to our Prime Minister...’ he added.

CM Yogi attended the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Darbar on the first floor of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. In this ceremony, the idols of Lord Ram, seated on the throne with Maa Janaki, with Bharat, Laxman and Shatrughan standing beside them, along with the idol of Lord Bajrangbali, were consecrated as per Vedic rituals.

(ANI)