On Sunday, Uttar Pradesh Assembly and Legislative Council members embarked on a momentous journey to visit Ram Lalla at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. With resounding chants of ‘Jai Shree Ram’, the visibly enthusiastic MLAs boarded buses bound for Ayodhya, marking a significant pilgrimage to the sacred site.
The initiative to visit the Ram Mandir was spearheaded by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Uttar Pradesh Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana. Invitations were extended to legislators to partake in this spiritual journey and offer prayers before Ram Lalla, the presiding deity at the newly inaugurated temple.
Amidst an atmosphere charged with devotion, MLAs gathered outside the Uttar Pradesh Assembly in Lucknow, chanting ‘Jai Shree Ram’ as they prepared to embark on their pilgrimage. The sight of legislators coming together in reverence to visit the revered Ram Mandir underscored the significance of this religious and cultural event.
Speaking to the media, Satish Mahana, Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker, expressed his profound joy at being part of the ‘Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mukti Andolan’. Reflecting on the occasion, he stated, “This is a special moment for me because I was part of the ‘Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mukti Andolan. This is an emotional moment for me. I am very happy. God has bestowed upon me the opportunity to be with all legislators in this form, and it is a matter of great fortune for me.”
The sentiment of gratitude and reverence echoed among the legislators, with BJP MLA Ritesh Gupta expressing his fortune at having the opportunity to have darshan of Lord Ram Lalla. He remarked, “After the Pran Pratishtha ceremony, everyone wanted to visit Ayodhya and have a darshan. Today, because of CM Yogi Adityanath, all the MLAs will be traveling to Ayodhya together.”
MLA Sarita Bhadauria shared her sentiments of feeling blessed to visit Ayodhya and have darshan of Ram Lalla. She remarked, “I consider myself very lucky that I got the opportunity to go to Ayodhya. I am fortunate enough to get the Ram Lala Darshan. Our whole generation is lucky. I belong to the village which is in between the Madhya Pradesh & Uttar Pradesh border. People were getting beaten up and still chose to say Ram’s name.”
The visit to the Ram Mandir was not merely a religious pilgrimage but also a moment of unity and solidarity among the legislators. Rajpal Balyan, a leader of the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), acknowledged the decision to visit the temple as a positive step, emphasizing the importance of coming together for such a significant occasion.
However, amidst the overwhelming sense of unity, there were notable absences. The Samajwadi Party (SP) chose to abstain from visiting Ram Lalla in Ayodhya, citing their decision not to partake in religious or communal events. This decision, while respected, underscored the diverse perspectives within the political landscape of Uttar Pradesh.
Nonetheless, for the legislators who embarked on this journey, the visit to the Ram Mandir symbolized more than just a religious pilgrimage. It represented a reaffirmation of their faith, a demonstration of solidarity, and a momentous occasion to pay homage to the revered deity at the heart of Ayodhya’s cultural and religious heritage. As they chanted ‘Jai Shree Ram’ in unison, their journey to Ayodhya echoed with the spirit of devotion, unity, and reverence.
