Paramilitary forces have been deployed in Ayodhya to tackle the rush of devotees even as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is monitoring the arrangements.
On Wednesday, after the snan of the Mauni Amavasya at Prayagraj, devotees began pouring in at Ayodhya filling up the temple town during the night itself.
On Thursday, many took dips in the Sarayu, starting at 4 am, before staring on a darshan of Hanumangarhi and then the Ram Mandir. All roads and lanes were choked by the afternoon as chants of Jai Shri Ram reverberated non-stop.
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Senior administrative and police officials patrolled the city through the night to make sure there were no mishaps.
Ram Path and Bhakti Path were completely choked with traffic.
Over the past few days, at least three lakh devotees have been reaching Ayodhya every single day.
Darshan timings have been extended to 18 hours.
Police have not only been maintaining smooth flow of devotees but also handing out water to those in the long queues. Medical camps have also been arranged on the temple premises.
The administration is also in constant touch with railway and highway authorities to anticipate how many people are making their way to the city.
In view of the ever-increasing number of devotees, holding areas have been made at Gonda, Ambedkarnagar, Sultanpur and the Lucknow road. The Temple trust had asked devotees from nearby places to delay their visit to Ayodhya as those from far off places like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat are reaching Ayodhya from Prayagraj.
Municipal Commissioner Santosh Sharma took it upon himself to make appeals on loudspeakers for devotees to stay at the shelter near the railway station as the city was already overcrowded.
Senior officers of the district are also present at the temple premises.
