Nov 16, 2017
The Yogi Adityanath government has proposed to build a ‘grand statue’ of Lord Ram on the banks of Saryu river in Ayodhya, according to reports. It is being planned as part of the Navya Ayodhyaproject which is seen as an initiative by the Uttar Pradesh government to promote religious tourism.
The proposal was presented by Principal Secretary of Tourism, Awinash Awasthi, to Governor Ram Naik, according to the press communique released by Raj Bhavan. The Indian Express reported that the presentation also included information on programmes scheduled for Diwali celebrations in Ayodhya on 18 October.
The statue is proposed at a height of 100 metres but Awasthi said that this was a concept proposal and the letter to NGT for clearance is yet to be sent.
A “deepotsav” will be organised on ‘Ram Ki Paidi‘ where 1.71 lakh earthen lamps will be lit, Awasthi said.
Prominent building and ghats will also be illuminated to attract tourists. The objective of the entire programme will be to promote Ayodhya, the birth place of Lord Ram, as a tourist destination.
A heritage walk, a yatra reminiscing return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya, and launch of several schemes by chief minister and other dignitaries will be part of the programme, the officer said.
A grand “aarti” of river Saryu will also be performed by the chief minister and the governor and a laser show will be held on the banks of the river.
During the programme, Ramlila will be staged by artists from Indonesia and Thailand.
The Union tourism ministry has sanctioned Rs 133.70 crore for making Ayodhya a tourism hub.
The money sanctioned will be utilised in renovating ghats, including Guptar ghat, where Lord Ram had taken ‘Samadhi‘, installing CCTV cameras, making police booths, construction of guest houses for tourists and auditorium at Digamgar Akhara.
The budget presented by the Yogi government, which came to power in March, had special mention of Ayodhya, Varanasi and Mathura, earmarking Rs 1,240 crore for the Ramayan, Buddhist and Krishna circuits in these cities.
Source : First Post
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