Chhattisgarh
Annual Free Train Scheme to Ayodhya Ram Mandir
- 12 Jan 2024
- 2 min read
Why in News?
Recently, the Chhattisgarh government sanctioned an annual free train travel scheme for devotees who want to visit the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya.
- It will be implemented by the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board and the state tourism department would allocate a necessary budget for the same.
Key Points
- Not everyone can avail this scheme as of now as a committee would be set up under the collectors to select pilgrims.
- As per a state government release, those eligible to avail this scheme should be fit individuals aged between 18 and 75 years and those above 55 years will be given priority in the initial phase.
- Around 20,000 people would be taken to Ayodhya on yearly pilgrimage by train.
- Stations for boarding are Raipur, Durg, Raigarh, and Ambikapur, with the 900-km journey culminating in Ayodhya.
- There is also a stopover at Varanasi for devotees to visit the Kashi Vishwanath temple and attend the Ganga Aarti.
- A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will also be signed with the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to implement the scheme.
- A weekly special train will also be arranged for pilgrims wanting to visit Ayodhya.
Note
- The state government had declared January 22 as a dry day in the entire state, given the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
- Chhattisgarh is the 'nanihal' (the place of his maternal grandparents) of Lord Ram.
- Chandkhuri, a village located 27 km from Chhattisgarh capital Raipur, is considered as the birthplace of Mata Kaushalya, mother of Lord Ram.
- The ancient Mata Kaushalya temple situated in the village was given a magnificent look during the previous government in the state.
