Ayodhya, the ancient city of India, is witnessing a surge of spiritual tourism and development after the historic verdict of the Supreme Court in 2019 that paved the way for the construction of a grand temple at the disputed site where Hindus believe Lord Ram was born.
The temple, which is expected to be completed by 2025, has attracted millions of devotees and visitors from across the country and abroad, who come to witness the progress of the project and offer their prayers and donations.
The city, which is also considered one of the seven holy places for Hindus, has seen a transformation in its infrastructure and amenities, with new roads, bridges, hotels, guest houses, parks, museums and cultural centers being built or renovated.
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The government has also announced several schemes and projects to boost the economy and employment of the region, such as the Ayodhya airport, the Ramayana circuit, the Ayodhya-Shri Lanka ferry service and the Ayodhya film city.
The city’s spiritual hub, however, is not limited to the temple alone. There are many other places of worship and historical significance that draw pilgrims and tourists alike. Some of these are:
Hanumangarhi: A temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman, the monkey god and devotee of Lord Ram. It is believed that Hanuman lived here in a cave and guarded the Ramkot hill where the temple is located. The temple has a 76-step staircase that leads to the main shrine where a statue of Hanuman is installed.
Kanak Bhawan: A palace gifted to Sita by her mother-in-law Kaushalya after her marriage to Ram. It is also known as Sone ka Ghar or the house of gold, as it is adorned with gold and silver ornaments. The palace has a temple where idols of Ram and Sita are worshipped.
Ram Janmabhoomi: The birthplace of Lord Ram, where the temple is being constructed. It is also the site where a 16th-century mosque, known as Babri Masjid, stood until it was demolished by Hindu activists in 1992, sparking communal riots and a long legal battle. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Hindus in 2019 and allotted the land to a trust for building the temple.
Nageshwar Nath Temple: A temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is believed to have been worshipped by Kush, the son of Ram and Sita. It is said that Kush lost his armlet in the Sarayu River, and it was found by a Nag (snake) who recognized it as belonging to Ram.
The Nag then built a temple for Shiva and placed the armlet there. The temple is one of the oldest in Ayodhya and has a unique architecture with intricate carvings.
Ram ki Paidi: A series of ghats or steps along the bank of the Sarayu River where devotees take a holy dip and perform rituals. The ghats are illuminated with lamps and lights in the evening, creating a spectacular view.
The ghats also host cultural events and festivals such as Deepotsav, when millions of earthen lamps are lit to mark the return of Ram to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile.
Tanzania and Indonesia strengthen cooperation in Gas, Health and Agriculture sectors
Meanwhile, Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan recently concluded a successful two-day official visit to Indonesia, where she met with her counterpart Joko Widodo and signed five bilateral agreements to boost cooperation in various sectors. The agreements cover the areas of agriculture, minerals, marine economy, education, diplomatic relations, technology and trade.
One of the highlights of the visit was the agreement on gas development, which will see Tanzania benefit from Indonesia’s expertise and investment in the oil and gas industry.
According to the deal, about 100 employees of the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) will receive scholarships from Indonesia’s state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina to enhance their skills and knowledge. Pertamina will also partner with TPDC to manage the Mnazi Bay gas block and process natural gas into chemical products and fertilizers.
Another key area of cooperation is health, where Indonesia will support Tanzania’s pharmaceutical sector by investing in local production and distribution of medicines and medical equipment. Indonesia will also share its experience and best practices in handling the Covid-19 pandemic and other health challenges.
In agriculture, Indonesia will assist Tanzania to improve its productivity and quality by providing funding and training to the Farmers Agriculture and Rural Training Centre (FARTC) in Morogoro.
The center will receive human resources and technical support from Indonesia to enhance its capacity to train farmers and extension officers. Indonesia will also explore opportunities to invest in Tanzania’s agricultural value chains, such as palm oil, coffee, tea, spices and horticulture.
The two countries also agreed to enhance their cooperation in education, technology and trade. The University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) and the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) signed a memorandum of understanding to conduct joint research and academic exchange in various fields.
The two countries also agreed to facilitate trade and investment promotion by establishing a joint business council and holding regular business forums. They also pledged to strengthen their diplomatic relations by opening embassies in each other’s capitals.
President Samia expressed her satisfaction with the outcome of the visit, saying that it marked a new chapter in the relations between Tanzania and Indonesia. She said that her government was committed to implementing the agreements and ensuring that they translate into tangible benefits for both countries. She also invited President Widodo to visit Tanzania at his earliest convenience.
President Widodo welcomed President Samia’s visit as a historic milestone that reflected the strong friendship and partnership between the two nations. He said that Indonesia was ready to increase its investments in Tanzania, especially in the strategic sectors of gas, health and agriculture. He also thanked President Samia for her support for Indonesia’s candidacy as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2024-2025.
The visit was President Samia’s first to Indonesia since she assumed office in March 2023 following the death of her predecessor John Magu Fuli. It was also part of her tour of Asia, which included stops in China, Japan and South Korea.