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Ayodhya's new airport (about two weeks old) features motifs from the Indian epic Ramayana based on the life of Ram. In the background is a depiction of the scene when Ram returns with Sita to Ayodhya after a 14-year exile. In the foreground, a more mundane reality plays out. A couple is worried about their missing baggage. Others are struggling to fit the giant mural into their selfie or making calls to check on their airport pick-up.
Heritage buildings in Ayodhya, such as the nearly century old Asharfi Bhawan, are getting a new coat of paint. The Asharfi Bhawan is a temple and pilgrim resthouse but is also the most colourful post office in Ayodhya.
Ayodhya is a city under construction. An important throughfare in Ayodhya leading to the Hanuman Garhi temple is lined with shops that have recently received a government-sponsored facelift. The Raj Dwar temple (seen on the left) is an example of a structure that has not yet benefited from just-in-time renovation.
Street scene from Ayodhya two days before the Ram temple consecration ceremony. Otherwise a dusty rundown city, in recent months Ayodhya has seen a rapid urban rejuvenation project. Here a recently painted local monument stands out from the rubble.
In an extreme display oif devotion, Shubam Garg has travelled 130 Km from Lucknow to Ayodhya by prostrating every step of the way.
Constables of the Uttar Pradesh Police pose for a picture in the children's park under the new flyover connecting Faizabad to Ayodhya.
The only aggressive locals in Ayodhya are the monkeys that snatch food from vendors' streetcarts and tourists with plastic bags. The monkeys are feb by locals (humans) in the hope that they may refrain from disturbing the peace. In the background is Raj Sadan, the palace of the erstwhile royal family of Ayodhya, now in disrepair. Descendants of the ⁠family still live there so it is a private residence.
Raj Sadan, the palace of the erstwhile royal family of Ayodhya, is lit up ahead of the consecration ceremony on Jan 22nd.
Several locations in Ayodhya have public screenings of the 1980s hit TV serial, 'Ramayana'.
Street scene from Ayodhya two days before the Ram temple consecration ceremony. Ram Path.
A godman is overjoyed by the charged atmosphere in Ayodhya.
Banks of the River Saryu is a center of activity for tourists and pilgrims. The devout undertake ritual baths in the cold waters and families go on boat rides. Every evening, offerings are made to the lord by way of a lamp lighting ceremony.
Banks of the River Saryu is a center of activity for tourists and pilgrims. The devout undertake ritual baths in the cold waters and families go on boat rides. Every evening, offerings are made to the lord by way of a lamp lighting ceremony.
Baba Ramdev, the king of Hindutva capitalism, arrives in Ayodhya. 8000 VVIP guests are expected to arrive in the next 24 hours.
A godman arrives in Ayodhya from Gujarat on a saffron painted Honda motorcycle.
One day before the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Performing artists entertain crowds with draditional dances from the various states of India.
Two women are perched at the edge of an under-construction building to watch the celebrations on the street. Behind them is a poster showing Modi and an artist's impression of the Ram temple.
Devotees gather on the streets and the rooftops across Ayodhya to watch the live telecast and also catch a glimpse of celebrities invited to the consecration ceremony.
Devotees cheer, worship and prostrate before one of the many LCD screens placed across Ayodhya city showing a live telecast of the Ram temple consecration ceremony. The same telecast was also shown at Times Square in New York and other parts of the world.
Devotees cheer, worship and prostrate before one of the many LCD screens placed across Ayodhya city showing a live telecast of the Ram temple consecration ceremony. The same telecast was also shown at Times Square in New York and other parts of the world.
Devotees cheer, worship and prostrate before one of the many LCD screens placed across Ayodhya city showing a live telecast of the Ram temple consecration ceremony. The same telecast was also shown at Times Square in New York and other parts of the world.
First views of the newly consecrated but still under-construction Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Mediapersons throng the room of the sanctum sanctorum to get a glimpse of the newly consecrated Ram Lalla idol.
A laser light show at the newly consecrated but still under-construction Ram temple in Ayodhya.
By day, Ram ki Paidi is a cultural hub of Ayodhya where pilgrims come for ritual bathing. In the evenings, it turns into a sort of nerve centre for night life. The water is lined with stages set up by various news channels for political debates telecast to a national audience. Tourists also enjoy a laser show that illuminates what counts as Ayodhya's skyline.
A woman in prayer on Ram ki Paidi.
Photogallery

Ayodhya '24

Photo essay for TIME magazine on the frenzy leading to the consecration of the Ram temple.