Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday asserted that the entire world is waiting for the historic moment of 'pran pratishtha' ceremony of Lord Ram in Ayodhya slated to be held on January 22.
"On January 22, I appeal 140 crore Indians, from here, from Lord Ram's Ayodhya, I am requesting citizens when Lord Ram's idol will be consecrated, light a lamp at your houses and celebrate Diwali," Modi said.
Modi, who inaugurated a slew of projects in the holy town added, "The strength of 'vikas' (development), 'virasat' (heritage) will take India forward."
The Prime Minister also requested people not to visit Ayodhya on Jan 22, adding only a few have been invited and they would come.
"We have waited 550 years, we can wait for more days. I have requested you several times - the Lord Ram temple is open for visitors - so don't crowd on January 22 (the inauguration day). I am repeatedly requesting not to crowd on January 22," the Prime Minister said.
He also inspired people to launch a cleanliness drive at pilgrimage sites across the country from January 14. "Lakhs of people will come for years, so Ayodhya residents have to make the city the cleanest in India. I am appealing to all temples in the country, from January 14 - Makar Sankranti - the cleanliness campaign should be run - till January 22," he added.
"Lord Ram belongs to the entire country, when Lord Ram is coming, all our temples should be clean," he added. "There was a time Lord Ram was 'living under a tent', now he will get a concrete house like four crores poor who got 'pucca' house. The campaign for making India a developed country is getting new energy from Ayodhya," he said.
"Today, the foundation stone of development works worth more than Rs 15,000 crore has been laid and inaugurated here. These infrastructure-related works will once again establish modern Ayodhya with pride on the map of the country. Today's India is beautifying its pilgrimage sites and is also immersed in the world of digital technology," the Prime Minister noted.
“Not only Awadh region, but Ayodya will give a new direction to the development of the entire Uttar Pradesh”, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He pointed out the projected increase of pilgrims and tourists coming to Ayodhya in the wake of the grand temple and said that infrastructure is being revamped to meet the demand.
Earlier in the day, Modi inaugurated the redeveloped Ayodhya Railway Station and flagged off new Amrit Bharat trains and Vande Bharat trains. He also opened the Ayodhya Airport.
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