"As bhakts, we would not like to cause any problems to Lord Ram": PM Modi urges devotees to postpone Ram Mandir visit, asks them to light lamps on January 22

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday urged devotees across the country to not travel to Ayodhya on January 22 for the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple. He emphasized that only a select few have been invited to attend the event and requested that only those invitees should be present in Ayodhya for the ceremony. “As bhakts, we would not like to cause any problems to Lord Ram. You all can come starting January 23 till eternity... Ram Mandir is now there forever and ever," suggested the Prime Minister.

"I have a request to all. Everyone has a wish to come to Ayodhya to be a part of the event on 22 January. But you know it is not possible for everyone to come. Therefore, I request all Ram devotees that once the formal program is done on 22nd January, they should come to Ayodhya at their convenience, do not make up their minds to come to Ayodhya on 22nd January," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.

The Prime Minister also requested every Indian to illuminate a lamp in their homes on January 22. “This historical moment has very fortunately come into the lives of all of us. We have to take a new resolution for the country and fill ourselves with new energy. For this, all the 140 crore countrymen should light Ram Jyoti in their homes on 22 January and celebrate Diwali," said PM Modi.

Addressing a public gathering in Ayodhya, Prime Minister Modi stated that the completion of the Ram Temple's construction would draw a significant influx of visitors to the sacred city. He highlighted that the government has undertaken extensive development projects to transform Ayodhya into a smart city. “After the construction of a grand temple of Lord Ram here, there will be a huge increase in the number of people coming here. Keeping this in mind, our government is carrying out development work worth thousands of crores of rupees in Ayodhya and is making Ayodhya smart," assured the Prime Minister.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated a new airport and a renovated railway station in Ayodhya. The highly anticipated inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya is slated to take place on January 22, drawing devotees from various parts of the country who have already started arriving at the site to witness the development of the temple complex.