• Source:JND
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As the Ayodhya Ram Temple opened for the public on Tuesday, nearly 2.5 lakh to 3 lakh devotees offered prayers to Lord Ram, and almost the same number of devotees are awaiting, reported ANI.

Since the devotees were present in large numbers, senior officials of the Uttar Pradesh government were present inside the temple premises to monitor the orderly movement of devotees. Prashant Kumar, the Special DG (Law and Order) for Uttar Pradesh, and the Principal Secretary (Home) were inside the "Garbha Griha" keeping an eye on the situation.

The Ram Temple was opened to the public on Tuesday, a day after the Pran Pratistha ceremony was held on January 22. According to officials, more than 8,000 security personnel are present to control the situation.

Since early morning, devotees have arrived at the temple to offer prayers.

"We are very pleased. We are touched even more to come to terms with the fact that we are going to have 'darshan' of the Ram Lalla," said Tejender Singh, a devotee from Chandigarh.

On the huge crowd gathered at the gates of the temple, he said, "Lakhs of people will have the darshan of Lord Ram. So it is bound to be crowded."

Another devotee said that he had come all the way from Odisha to have the darshan of Lord Ram at Ayodhya.

"I have come from Odisha's Puri to Ayodhya on bike to have darshan of Lord Ram Lalla. It was a journey of 1224 kilometres. I was very eager to have the 'darshan' of Lord Ram Lalla. When I was asked on my way where I was going, I said that I was going to have darshan of Lord Ram at the temple, which was not built for over 500 years," he said.

The 'Pran Pratishtha' of Shri Ram Lalla in Ayodhya was held amid unbridled celebrations, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi performing the main rituals officiated by a select complement of priests. Celebrations were also held across the country to mark Lord Ram's return to this throne.

(With ANI inputs)