Ayodhya fast emerging as economic hub

Ayodhya: The atmosphere in Ayodhya is electric, with vibrant energy pulsating through every corner of the city. Whether it’s Rampat, the road leading to Ram Janmabhoomi, Ram kiPaidi, where leading TV channels have set up their pandals to broadcast live content, banks of Sarayunadi (river), GuptarGhat, where Lord Ram took Jal Samadhi, Hanuman GarhiMandri, a must-visit before heading for Ram Lalladarshan- each place is lit-up and decorated for the once-in-a-lifetime event on Earth. Even LataChowk, named after the legendary singer LataJi, contributes to the city’s rich historical and cultural significance.

AyodhyaDham is alive with the astha of lakhs of Ram bhakts, who have assembled from across the globe to immerse themselves in the spiritual aura of Ayodhyanagari. The synchronized music of drum beats, nagadas, and bells, accompanied by the chanting of mantras, bhajans, and the resounding cheer of ‘Jai Shree Ram,’ creates a symphony that captivates the hearts and minds of the crowds of people who have gathered for the PranaPratishta of Lord Ram.

It’s impossible not to be moved by the vibes, energy, and the festive atmosphere.This is my third visit to the land of Ram Lalla in the past 18 months, and during this time, I have observed a complete transformation of this sacred city. My association with Ayodhya spans 27 years, with my initial connection dating back to when I served as a young Indian army officer posted here in 1997. Over the course of my two-year stay, I forged meaningful friendships, learnt local stories about the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, and developed a deep connection with the land. My recollections of Ayodhya from that period is of a small, crowded town with minimal infrastructure. I remember visiting Ram Janmabhoomi when Ram Lalla was seated in a tent.

Since then, a lot of water has flowed in Sarayu, and I bring the three transformative factors that are reshaping Ayodhya, and their impact is poised for further growth in the upcoming years..

1. Real Estate Boom:

Harish Kumar Mandhyan, a local businessman and Head of SantNavalramPanchayata, whom I know from my early days in Ayodhya, says the land rates are beyond the reach of most locals. Large land parcels are either held or are on the verge of being acquired by the Ayodhya Development Authority. Large business houses, HNIs, and celebrities, too, have fired up the local real estate.

While strolling along Ram kiPaidi, Harish points out a built-up property. He says:“This was available for sale for Rs85 lakhs during the Covid lockdown - today, even if you offer five crores, the property is not available, given its location and new opportunities”. Land dealing is in square feet, and the prevailing market rate within a 1 km radius of the temple area is in the range of Rs10,000-15,000 per square foot. This amount is at least three times beyond what the locals can afford, says ShatruganSinha, a real estate agent. Sinha hails from a village 60 km outside Ayohodya and has lived and worked as a real estate agent in Mumbai for over a decade. He was my fellow passenger on the Mumbai- Ayodhya flight, and he says he has been flying and out with clients eager to invest in land within and around Ayodhya city. According to Shatrugan, prices are escalating exponentially with each passing day.

The greater Ayodhya area covers about 120.8 sqkm (46.6 sq mi), and the planned new township, ‘NavyaAyodhya,’ will spread over a 200-hectare (500-acre) site next to the Faizabad-Gorakhpur highway, which will have luxury hotels and apartment complexes.

“These projects are yet to take off, and once they do - the real estate is going only one way pointing to the sky,” says Harish. Shatrughan told me that if he manages to finalize a few deals, he will seriously consider returning to his roots. He believes in local opportunities and asserts that Ayodhya is a place where he can establish a reputation as a businessman, no longer confined to the role of an agent.

Tourism opportunities: Historically recognized as a religious pilgrimage site for Sanatana Dharma (Hindus) followers, the city’s appeal has always drawn spiritual tourists. However, the longing to visit the dham heightened after Prime Minister NarendraModi laid the ceremonial foundation stone for a new temple on August 5, 2020. Even during my visits last year in April and December, I noticed hotels with lengthy waiting lists and tourists waiting in buses for rooms to become available.

Due to the shortage of accommodation, enterprising locals have converted their homes into hotels, resulting in the mushrooming of hundreds of small, unorganized hotels across the city, each offering 5-10 rooms. However, there is a need for professional training, as I encountered instances where my bookings were cancelled at two places due to higher room rates offered by others in the last two days.

Street food & Food Joints:

MukeshRamani, a co-founder and investor in Good-Day Sweets & Bakers situated in the Naka area, which is six kilometres from the temple and one kilometre from the airport, says his business has seen a remarkable 20-fold jump in revenue due to the influx of tourists. Interestingly, this surge has also galvanized local youth to hang out at the food joints and set up their own food ventures across the city. As I strolled around Rampat, Ram kiPaidi, along SarayuNadhi, Hanuman Garhi, and Latachowk, my conversations with street vendors selling Kulhad chai, dudh (milk), Chaat, and other local street food revealed a sentiment akin to the upbeat seen during Diwali. According to Sanjay Vasnanai, a store owner near LataChowk on Ram kiPaidi, “Thousands of bhakts are arriving from across the country,” pushing up sales of small business like never before.

I came across individuals from my coastal hometown, Mangaluru, conversing in my mother tongue - Tulu, a language spoken by the Bunt community. These individuals have travelled over 2,000 kilometres to participate in the event.

Ayodhya is evolving beyond being solely a religious destination for lakhs of Lord Ram’s devotees. It is rapidly transforming into a commercial hub that promises to reshape infrastructure and improve the lives of locals by generating new opportunities.