Mahant Satyendra Das, the 85-year-old head priest of Ayodhya’s Ram Janmabhoomi temple, passed away on Wednesday at Lucknow’s SGPGI after suffering a stroke. He served as head priest since he was 20, including during the Babri Masjid demolition.
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Mahant Satyendra Das, 85, head priest of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple, suffered a stroke and is in critical condition at SGPGI, Lucknow. He was admitted on Sunday and is under close observation. Though critical, he is responding to commands and his vitals are stable. Das has a long history with the temple, serving as priest since 1992.
Ayodhya is experiencing a massive influx of devotees for Mauni Amavasya, with over 50 lakh pilgrims visiting in 72 hours. Authorities have implemented strict security and health measures to manage the crowd, while local businesses see a significant boost. Pilgrims are coming from across India, including many from the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.
The Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in Ayodhya has requested nearby devotees to postpone their visit for 15-20 days due to an unprecedented rush of pilgrims. This is to prioritize devotees traveling from faraway places, given the large number of people visiting during the Maha Kumbh period.
Over 25 lakh devotees visited Ayodhya’s Ram and Hanumangarhi temples on Republic Day. The state government made elaborate arrangements to manage the huge crowd, deploying additional police forces to ensure smooth operations and devotee safety. This large-scale pilgrimage highlights the deep religious significance of Ayodhya.
Chandrakant Sompura, architect of Ayodhya’s Ram Temple, receives the Padma Shri award. He designed the temple over 30 years ago, using his footsteps for measurements. The temple, built without iron in the Nagar style, spans 2.7 acres. Sompura comes from a family of temple architects and has designed over 200 temples.
Ayodhya celebrated the first anniversary of the Ram Temple’s Pran Pratishtha on January 11, 2025, with a large gathering of devotees. A young girl dressed as Ram Lalla and a six-year-old boy who ran over 1000km to attend captured attention. The day featured religious rituals, chants, and cultural programs, highlighting Ayodhya’s religious and tourism significance.
Prime Minister Modi extended greetings on the Ram Temple’s first anniversary. Celebrations in Ayodhya included religious rituals, cultural programs, and the participation of numerous devotees, with a special focus on inclusivity. The event was seen as a symbol of India’s cultural heritage and national unity.
The Ram Temple in Ayodhya witnessed a record-breaking number of devotees on New Year’s Day, exceeding two lakh visitors. The influx was attributed to the holiday season, the temple’s recent consecration, and Ayodhya’s increasing popularity as a pilgrimage site. Enhanced security measures and infrastructure accommodated the large crowds.