The New Hindu Hub

From a backwater town to a religious tourism hotspot, Ayodhya’s transformation story has positives as well as negatives

- Anil Kumar Singh

There was a time, not very long ago, when Ayodhya belonged to all. There was a sense of localness in the festivities. Farmers from nearby districts would come to the temple town to celebrate festivals like Chaitra Ramnavami, Ramvivah, Chaudahkosi and Panchkosi Parikrama. Pilgrims from all over the country arrived as well. They stayed at the modest dharamshalas and the few small hotels that were there.

Ayodhya was a typical temple town then. Several temples belonging to different castes made it a unique destination. Pilgrims not only visited these temples but also stayed at the humble accommodation on the premises. The local markets sold simple things, very basic stuff, keeping in mind the buying capacities of the majority of incoming tourists and pilgrims. There was a sense of belonging, a sense of oneness, a sense of simplicity. Not anymore.

The Ram temple has changed the dynamic of the temple town. The dazzling lights on Rampath—one of the four new pathways that have been created inspired by the four Vedas—the neon lights of fancy showrooms that have come up across the town and flashy signboards are disorienting the humble pilgrims who arrive with their minimal belongings. The farmers who come during festivals with a bundle of clothes on their heads are feeling lost as well. In Ayodhya 2.0, they have nowhere to go. Even though more hotels and homestays have come up recently to cater to the increased inflow of tourists and pilgrims, the tariffs have shot up as well and many can’t afford to check-in. The brand new town has a cosmopolitan vibe now. Not all, especially those with limited spending capacity, feel welcomed.

The fact that these changes have happened in the short span of two years says a lot about the changing face of Ayodhya as an upcoming religious tourism destination.