Chaos in Ayodhya: Bhakti too big for this Ram rajya?

As pilgrims make their way to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh Mela from all corners of the country and halfway around the globe, many are tacking on a nearby attraction. Ayodhya's Ram Temple has witnessed a sudden surge of devotees — which that has significantly strained the city's infrastructure and administrative capabilities.

Day ago, the tragic incidents at both New Delhi railway station and in Prayagraj itself have highlighted the immense challenges of crowd control — and adding religious fervour is unlikely to make things easier.

Following the Mauni Amavasya holy dip at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, an estimated 65 lakh devotees arrived in Ayodhya over a span of 96 hours, according to an IANS report.

The religious fervour in Ayodhya is palpable, with devotees chanting “Jai Shri Ram” as they navigate the packed streets. This deep devotion, while inspiring, also underscores the immense pressure on the city’s infrastructure must grapple with.

The situation escalated at around 4 a.m. on 17 February, as thousands of vehicles were halted 25 kilometres away from the city, leaving passengers frustrated and distressed.

The combination of inadequate police deployment and overwhelming crowds led to a volatile situation in Ayodhya, with some frustrated travellers even breaking through barricades.

This kind of traffic bottleneck highlights the logistical challenges of handling such a massive influx of pilgrims at key religious sites such as the Ram Mandir, Janmabhoomi Path and Hanuman Garhi.

Despite the huge expenditure — and shifting out of local businesses and homes — for infrastructural improvements, Ayodhya’s narrow roads and limited entry points continue to struggle under the sheer volume of visitors.

In response to the unprecedented crowds, the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple committee has now been urging local devotees to postpone their visits to allow pilgrims from distant areas better access.

Senior officials have been actively monitoring the situation, inspecting arrangements throughout the night to manage the overwhelming number of visitors, the Times of India reported.

The influx of pilgrim has repeatedly tested the city's infrastructure, especially with record-breaking crowds around Republic Day and after the Maha Kumbh holy dip.