Lord Shri Ram’s temple in Ayodhya will give wings to the local economy

Finally, that moment has come very close, for which the followers of Hindu religion have been waiting for the last 500 years. On August 5, 2020, the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi had laid the foundation stone for the construction of a grand temple of Lord Shri Ram in the presence of the respected Sant Mandal and the most revered Sir Sanghchalak Mohan Ji Bhagwat of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Now on 22 January 2024, the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi is going to inaugurate the newly built grand temple of Lord Shri Ram in Ayodhya in the presence of respected Sant Mandal and most respected Sir Sanghchalak Mohan Ji Bhagwat. Not only in India but all over the world, followers of Hindu religion are very excited and the atmosphere is going to be filled with joy all over India.

The Shri Ram temple being constructed in Ayodhya is not only being developed as a center of great faith for the followers of Hindu religion living all over the world but it will also promote religious tourism in the country and is expected to be of tremendous benefit to the Indian economy. Is going. On the auspicious occasion of recently concluded Diwali festival, 22.23 lakh lamps were lit in Ayodhya, this in itself is being considered as a Guinness World Record. At present 2.5 crore tourists visit Ayodhya every year. After the construction of the grand temple of Lord Shri Ram, this number of tourists can increase up to 10 times i.e. 25 crore tourists can come to Ayodhya every year. If a tourist spends even Rs 2000 while staying in Ayodhya, then there is a possibility of doing business worth Rs 50,000 crore in Ayodhya alone every year. Along with religious tourism, many cultural programs and various grand ceremonies will also be organized in Ayodhya throughout the year, overall it is being estimated that a business worth one lakh crore rupees will be done every year in Ayodhya alone. The Uttar Pradesh government has received 20 proposals for construction of hotels and resorts in Ayodhya, which include many five star hotels. International level infrastructure and international airport are also being developed in Ayodhya. Ayodhya railway station has been developed. After the development of the above mentioned systems, lakhs of new employment opportunities are going to be created due to increasing religious tourism in Ayodhya.

With approximately 25 crore tourists reaching Ayodhya every year, small businessmen at the local level will also get immense economic benefits. The demand for Dharamshala, hotels, transport system, food items, fruits, flowers etc. and many other types of goods will increase, to maintain the supply of which many types of small industries will also develop in the villages around Ayodhya. The production of fruits, vegetables, flowers etc. will also start in rural areas, due to which the farmers of this area will also start getting huge benefits. Ayodhya in itself is going to develop as a center of faith as well as a commercial centre. Overall, it can be said that not only will Lord Shri Ram reside in his temple, but the citizens living in this area are also going to get immense financial benefits. With the arrival of tourists from all over the world in Ayodhya, the economy of Uttar Pradesh will get wings.

In India, other religious places have also been developed on the lines of Ayodhya. Kashi Vishwanath Corridor has been developed in Varanasi. The Somnath temple has been rebuilt in Gujarat. Maa Kalka temple has been rebuilt in Pavagadh Gujarat itself. Work on Kedarnath Dham project in Uttarakhand is also progressing rapidly. Mahakal Corridor has been constructed in Ujjain. Mata Kamakhya Corridor is being built in Assam. Religious and regional tourism is being promoted in the country by developing religious places all over India. According to an estimate by the Ministry of Tourism of India, tourism activities in India have generated an income of Rs 1.34 lakh crore in the year 2021-22, while the income from religious tourism in the year 2020-21 was Rs 65,000 crore. Thus, due to the various religious places developed in India, the income from tourism activities has more than doubled in a span of just one year.

According to the Center for Social Impact and Philanthropy, domestic donations to various temples in India have increased by 14 percent to Rs 27,000 crore during the year 2021-22. Whereas, in the year 2020-21, donations worth Rs 23,700 crore were received by various temples. Especially after the development of Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi, donations received to Kashi Vishwanath Temple have increased by 500 percent. In the year 2021-22, Kashi Vishwanath Temple had received a donation of Rs 100 crore. Also, religious tourism in Varanasi has also increased by 1000 percent during this period. Similarly, after the development of Mahakal Corridor in Ujjain, religious tourism in Baba Mahakal Temple has increased by 1800 percent. Since business is increasing due to increase in tourism at these religious places, thousands of new employment opportunities are also being created in these areas. Now Banke Bihari Corridor is being developed in Vrindavan also so that it becomes easier for devotees to reach Banke Bihari Temple.

Especially in Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Shri Ram, it has been envisaged that not only a grand temple will be built, but along with the grand temple, a huge library, museum, research centre, Vedapathshala, Yagyashala, Satsang Bhawan, Dharamshala, exhibition, etc. will also be developed. This is being done so that today’s young generation finds it easier to do research on the times of Lord Shri Ram. The temple of Lord Shri Ram is also being called the National Temple because this temple will introduce the Indian Sanatan culture to every person coming here. This temple is going to become a center of faith for people who believe in Hindu Sanatan Dharma all over the world, hence there will be a continuous influx of tourists from all over the world. This temple is going to become an important center of faith for the followers of Hindu religion all over the world and is also going to develop as a special center of tourism, hence by the grace of Lord Shri Ram, the wishes of crores of people will be fulfilled as well as the wishes of millions of people will be fulfilled. Will also get employment opportunities.

-Prahlad Sabnani

Retired Deputy General Manager

state Bank of India