Amid an outbreak of COVID-19 across the country, there has been concern regarding the Ram Navami mela on 2 April with lakhs traveling for celebrations to Ayodhya every year.

While several saints have appealed devotees to not come to Ayodhya and cancelled large-scale events, the Ayodhya district administration finally broke their silence on the matter on 21 March evening.

Addressing the media, Ayodhya DM Anuj Kumar Jha said, “Devotees will not be allowed to enter Ayodhya from now (21 March) to 2 April. Along with that community bathing in Saryu river and all other places in Ayodhya have been stopped. Advanced bookings in all lodges, hotels etc to be cancelled till 2 April 2020. No crowds at temples will be allowed.”

Before DM Spoke, Hindutva Outfits Appealed Devotees to Not Leave Homes

The latest amongst those who have made appeals due to the Coronavirus scare, is the Shri Ram Janma Bhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which is tasked with building the Ram mandir in Ayodhya. The trust, which includes the district magistrate of Ayodhya, had appealed to the district officials to avoid the Ram Navami fair.

Additionally, they also asked devotees to not come to Ayodhya for Navrati.



Earlier on 21 March and 20 March, The Quint had spoken to leaders of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), Vikramaditya Mahtosav Samiti and the chief priest of the Ram Temple, who said that no grand celebrations for Ram Navami will be held in Ayodhya.





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Champat Rai, who is Ram Mandir trust general secretary and senior VHP leader appealed to people to not step out for Ram Navami celebrations in a video message.

“The Ram Navami festival is going to come soon in the country. Thousands have visited pilgrimage centers for these festivals for thousands of years. This year, however, the coronavirus pandemic is upon us, it is only a matter of 15, 20 to 25 days. Hence keep yourself from getting sentimental and follow the rules of the government. Take care of yourself and your family, neighbours. Only leave the home for essential work, otherwise stay at home and conduct the pooja,” Rai said in his appeal.

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Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s Lucknow office also confirmed, “We have been intimated by authorities that the celebrations have been cancelled. None of the grand celebrations will happen.”

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Dr Surendra Kumar Jain, All India Joint General Secretary of the VHP, told The Quint that “All big ceremonies of the VHP have been cancelled in Ayodhya as well as across India. Smaller celebrations will happen only after taking into consideration the local rules regarding the health emergency. All rules will be followed. For example, in Delhi not more than 50 can gather, so in mohalla and temples, we will keep that in mind. For mass awakening, we will hoist small saffron flags at every Hindu house across India. The spread of coronavirus is a global emergency, so it is important to respect the law and order of the country and we will.”

Mahant Satendra Das, head priest of the Ram Mandir, as well as Mahant Kalyan Das, both of whom are close to the members of the Ranjanmabhoomi Vyas, told The Quint, that “No big celebrations are going to happen anymore. We will conduct smaller celebrations. We are in support of this government. We are going to help the government in every possible way.”

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