One Year After The Ram Mandir: Has Life In Ayodhya Improved? A Ground Report

Upon landing at Ayodhya's airport, Deepa ji rose from her wheelchair and, in reverence to the Ram Janmabhoomi, bowed to touch the sacred soil as she deboarded the aircraft.

Not just her, many elderly passengers expressed similar devotion after deboarding at the newly opened Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram International Airport in Ayodhya.

Deepa ji had travelled all the way from New Zealand with her son and daughter-in-law.

Her son, Ashish, in his late thirties, tells Swarajya, “My mother wanted to visit the temple the year it opened. After all these years and the stories, she kept insisting we come as soon as possible. Many times, she even referred to this as her last wish, urging us to take it seriously and urgently.”

This is Ashish's second trip to India, planned solely with the intention of visiting Ayodhya.

Over the past year, many such stories have emerged, with elderly devotees from India and beyond travelling to the Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Temple.

For most pilgrims, this journey marks the realisation of a long-cherished dream.

Ram Mandir’s Anniversary

The date 22 January 2024 marked the historic opening of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The temple trust, Ayodhyavasis, and the entire nation are now preparing to celebrate its first anniversary in January 2025.

The temple has come to symbolise not only faith and devotion for millions of people but also Ayodhya's transformation over the past year.

The town has undergone significant economic and infrastructural changes, driven by the temple's construction. These include enhanced connectivity, improved hospitality services, and numerous civic amenities, positioning Ayodhya as a key destination in India and on the global stage.

A year ago, during the making of this temple town, Swarajya was on the ground to cover the anticipation surrounding the Ram Mandir’s opening and its impact on Ayodhya’s residents.

We saw the development surge that brought new hotels, expanded businesses, and facilities to accommodate the growing influx of visitors.

However, the development arc also involved the demolition of several local properties, resulting in mixed feelings among the affected communities. Still, most people remained optimistic, focussing on the economic opportunities the temple promised.

A year later, Swarajya revisited Ayodhya to document the changes that have unfolded, the challenges faced, the experiences of residents and visitors, the town’s economic progress, and whether Ayodhya has lived up to people's aspirations.

The Year of Change for Ayodhya

Recent reports reveal that Ayodhya has become Uttar Pradesh’s most visited city, attracting over 135 million tourists in 2024 amid a surge in spiritual travel.

“Many see this as a dramatic shift in their lives,” says Rajesh, a bookshop owner running his business for over two decades. “We have given ourselves to the mandir, to Ayodhya. My kids will also stay here and place their future in the hands of Ram.”

“This is the change and recognition that Ayodhya’s residents have awaited for generations. People from across India and the world are here now,” he says.

Six out of every 10 vehicles on the roads are taxis. Streets leading to the temple are packed with pilgrims, travelling on foot or by rickshaws, auto-rickshaws, golf carts, and electric buses.

Buildings surrounding the temple prominently display hoardings for eateries, guest houses, and hotels.

“None of this was visible at this same time last year. Everything was either under construction or in anticipation,” says Karthikey, a tour operator who launched Ayodhya Darshans to promote religious tourism in India.

“Today, things have improved for the people alongside the temple’s development."

“A town once known only to a few is now globally recognised, connected by an airport, railways, and road transport. Businesses in Ayodhya have grown, with many experiencing four to five times growth in just one year,” says Karthikey.

This rapid development has also attracted many youths, who have returned to start their own ventures. Most locals view these changes positively, attributing them to the temple and the global attention it has garnered.

However, the boom has not been without challenges. "New issues and gaps now demand attention from authorities, the government, and local residents," he observes.

Those who invested in other parts of the district have found growth slower than expected, leaving several newly constructed hotels and facilities unused. Owners are now searching for alternative uses or seeking outside investors to manage these properties.

The uneven spread of benefits has caused frustration among some locals who anticipated immediate returns. “People need to understand that this growth will take time to spread and gradually benefit the wider region,” Karthikey explains.

This disparity also contributed to a surprising political outcome — the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) losing the Faizabad Lok Sabha constituency, he adds, reflecting on how expectations and realities have shaped the community’s sentiment.

After BJP’s Loss in Faizabad

The BJP's unexpected loss in the Faizabad constituency has sparked debates over public dissatisfaction and unmet expectations regarding the Ram Mandir's broader impact.

Locals point to various micro issues tied to Ayodhya's development as key factors. Interestingly, it wasn’t Ayodhya's legislative seat — home to the Ram Mandir — that showed significant voter shifts but rather the surrounding four assembly constituencies.

The months following the election, from June to September, saw a sharp decline in tourism and business activity.

“Many tourists refused to stay in homestays or interact with the locals,” he added. "They seemed disappointed or even ashamed, which created a tense atmosphere across the town.”

New Challenges Accompany the Changes

As Ayodhya's infrastructure continues to adapt to the growing demand, several new challenges have emerged that now require focus and attention.

City Mobility and Roads

Even after significant widening, the roads leading to the temple remain mostly congested. This is due to the fact that they now serve both as walking paths for pilgrims and main thoroughfares for the increased number of cars and buses.

The path from the entrance of the temple compound to the temple itself is well designed to manage the influx of devotees. However, the journey along the Ram Path to the temple gate remains crowded.

Even with the authorities redirecting vehicles and limiting traffic, the other streets surrounding the temple remain narrow. “Many times, they do not allow our vehicles to cross through this road, and divert us,” says a local resident.

“The road widening was done only for the Ram Path, but now they don’t allow vehicles or our movement through this road. So, we are again stuck in the narrow lanes, now with even more vehicles after the temple opening,” he adds.

Another local expresses frustration, saying, “It feels like this town is no longer ours. We are always redirected or washed off to random roads near the temple. How do we manage our daily lives?”

The problem remains with the roads available to cater to the growing crowd and vehicles.

To address this issue, the government introduced 100 electric buses in the town, and the number of taxis has increased dramatically.

“Additionally, for these taxis, there is only one CNG station, which also adds to the queue of 70–80 cars throughout the day, again on the same widened road,” he adds.

The infrastructure needs further expansion and rethinking, particularly when it comes to crowd management. There is a pressing need for dedicated roads for pilgrims visiting the temple and for vehicles separately.

Hotels and Homestays

The number of hotels in Ayodhya has grown massively over the past year, with many locals seizing the opportunity to develop properties. Additionally, the government’s push for homestays has successfully resulted in over 1,000 such facilities being established.

While the quantity has increased, issues remain with quality, pricing, and the availability of options for different income groups. Many small hotels offer only basic facilities but charge inflated rates — up to Rs 7,000–10,000 per night.

There is an understanding among locals about the growing demand, but many owners are unwilling to invest in improving their facilities, which has resulted in a negative impression. Most international guests currently find only a few (two or three) high-quality hotels catering to their needs.

“These hotels are located far from the temple, which limits these visitors' ability to immerse in the cultural experience and religious richness that Ayodhya offers,” says a tour operator.

“It gets very difficult to offer a great experience compared to any standard, good-quality hotel in other cities and tourism destinations,” he adds.

He suggests that training programs for hotel owners and regulations to establish benchmarked services are necessary. Even with new hotel chains being developed, the properties near the temple will always be critical due to their proximity and should receive special attention from authorities to maintain high standards.

For homestays, the impact has been largely positive, though some were rushed into existence to capitalize on the opportunity and have failed. “These are people who have opened homestays just to make quick money without putting in any real effort,” says CP Srivastava, a retired senior manager from a private bank, who now runs a homestay close to the temple.

“For many of us, though, it has been a great way to host pilgrims visiting the Ram Janmabhoomi. It is our responsibility to welcome them, guide them, and share our traditions,” he adds.

This past year has been decent for his homestay and many others, with almost 50 percent occupancy throughout the year. However, they noticed a drop in pilgrim arrivals for a few months following the elections.

For many, like Srivastava, who runs the homestay with his daughter, it has been an opportunity to reinvent themselves. Similarly, homemaker women and retired couples in Ayodhya are finding success with this model.

“The issues stem from those focused solely on profits, often fleecing pilgrims without offering proper services. Some establishments operate without registration, misleading visitors by branding themselves as homestays.

“These unregulated operations have started creating problems, and there’s a growing consensus that authorities should intervene to curb this trend,” he adds.

“More than half of our guests stay for one night. Very few stay for two or three nights. We try to guide the guests with a list of historic pilgrimage spots and other things at our level, but it needs greater attention from the authorities,” he concludes.

Short Durations

The pilgrimage demand in the town has largely remained centred on the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, with visits to the Hanumangarhi Temple, Kanak Bhavan (an ancient shrine dedicated to Lord Ram and Sita), Dashrath Bhavan (believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram’s father, King Dashrath), and Saryu Ghat.

Every evening, the ghat comes alive with the Saryu Aarti, followed by an immersive light and music show based on the Ramayana.

However, many locals believe that more sites of religious significance within the town need to be brought into focus to offer a fuller experience of Ayodhya’s spiritual heritage. In and around Ayodhya, there are numerous temples, ashrams, and places related to the Ramayana that remain largely unexplored.

Ayodhya is often referred to as a town of temples. Locals say that temples are not just places of worship in their homes, but that their homes are built within the sacred temples.

According to an Ayodhya Development Authority (ADA) official, the town is blessed with 108 water bodies, 59 of which have significant historical importance. While the government has made efforts to rejuvenate these water bodies, many still lie in deplorable conditions, awaiting restoration to their former glory.

“The development of these kunds (water bodies), temples, and ashrams will allow pilgrims to learn more about the town.

“Ayodhya still remains a brief stop on the pilgrim's journey. Most people come from Varanasi or Prayagraj and plan their trips accordingly, as these places offer more in terms of comfortable stays, amenities, and connectivity,” he adds.

Connectivity Expansion

The expansion of railways and airways has played a key role in enhancing accessibility to Ayodhya. Flight connectivity has certainly improved travel convenience, but it caters to only a fixed section of the pilgrim population.

For many pilgrims travelling from outside Uttar Pradesh, reaching Ayodhya still remains a challenge. Most pilgrims first reach Lucknow or Varanasi and then continue their journey to Ayodhya by bus.

Locals have expressed hope that Ayodhya’s connectivity will increase, similar to developments in Varanasi, Lucknow, and Prayagraj.

"We thought that connectivity would improve significantly with the increasing demand, but the situation remains more or less the same," says a local resident. "The town has not yet become a direct destination for pilgrims, and many prefer to reach Varanasi or Prayagraj, where the connections are more frequent and reliable," he adds.

The Way Forward

This year, many of the anticipated outcomes for both the residents and the town seem to have been delivered. The residents believe that the blessings and divine grace of Lord Ram will continue to guide the town’s prosperity, with no end in sight to the growth and development that the temple has ushered in.

While the focus remains on this growth, some important aspects now require further attention. Locals are concerned that, in the race to enhance the town's global appeal, some core values and local issues are being overshadowed.

Historically, Ayodhya has been deprived of growth, relying heavily on just two to three major festivals each year for its economic activity.

“In the past, all celebrations—whether for childbirth or weddings—were held only after these festivals, as they were the only times people could make money to spend.”

"Now that there are new opportunities, we must not let the focus shift away from the essence of this town, which has been preserved for centuries," he adds. “Many ashrams, gurukuls, and temples remain neglected and require urgent attention and financial support.”

A Global Religious Tourism Hub

“To make Ayodhya the capital of global religious tourism, the state government must integrate the industrial and economic potential of the surrounding areas,” says a local resident. “This will bring in more people, improve the local economy, and ultimately attract even more visitors.”

According to officials at the Ayodhya Development Authority (ADA), the focus has been on three key parameters for tourism—reach, stay, and local facilities.

In terms of transportation, buses and golf carts have become game-changers for pilgrims visiting the temples. The introduction of golf carts under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model has proven very helpful, providing easy access to nearby places of worship. "This coming year, we plan to increase the number of these golf carts for better facilities,” says Ashwini Kumar Pandey, Vice Chairman, Ayodhya Development Authority.

Further, strengthening internal lanes is underway to ease the town's congestion issues, especially near the temple areas.

On the accommodation front, the ADA has approved several new hotel openings. The agency is carefully reviewing proposals with due diligence. Most new hotels are being built along the Lucknow-Gorakhpur Expressway, offering direct road access to the temple area. This region, along with areas near Mani Parvat Road, is emerging as a key zone for development, located within a 5-6 km radius of the temple.