- Tuesday, February 25, 2025
The flight, which took off from Ahmedabad, was part of the new connectivity launched by India’s biggest airline IndiGo to link Ayodhya with major Indian cities.
By: Shubham Ghosh
AS the north Indian temple town of Ayodhya continued to steal the headlines ahead of the inauguration of the Ram Mandir on January 22, something unique was witnessed at its airport on Thursday (11).
When the first direct flight from Ahmedabad in the western state of Gujarat landed at Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya, passengers were seen embarking from the flight dressed as Lord Ram, his brother Lakshman, wife Sita and ally Hanuman. The devotees, who boarded the flight operated by India’s biggest carrier IndiGo, were excited to visit the newly constructed temple dedicated to Lord Ram, which will witness a grand consecration ceremony on January 22.
The flight, which took off from Ahmedabad at 8.15 am local time, was part of the new connectivity launched by the airline to link Ayodhya with major Indian cities.
Read: PM Modi begins ‘special ritual’ 11 days ahead of Ram Mandir inauguration
#WATCH | Gujarat: As the first flight for Ayodhya leaves from Ahmedabad, passengers arrive at the airport dressed as Lord Ram, Lakshman, Sita, and Hanuman. pic.twitter.com/3EviO4mxzV
— ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2024
IndiGo started its first flight to Ayodhya from Delhi on January 6, just days after prime minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the airport in Ayodhya.
Read: Expecting mothers in India’s UP want to give birth on January 22
Soon, flights from other major cities such as Mumbai are expected to connect Ayodhya.
The passengers dressed as the Hindu god and members of his family and Hanuman, said it was their way of commemorating the historic occasion.
They said they hoped to see the temple, which is built on the site where Lord Ram is believed to have been born. They were seen accompanied by airline officials and other enthusiasts who chanted ‘Jai Shri Ram’. Enthusiasm around their appearance was also seen at the airport in Ahmedabad before the flight took off.
The consecration ceremony, which will be presided over by Modi, will see the presence of millions of people, including high-profile Indians from the fields of politics, films, sports and industries.
