Develop Ayodhya, one must feel like visiting it at least once, says Prime Minister Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the temple city of Ayodhya should be developed as a spiritual and tourist centre that draws even the coming generations.

Modi was chairing a review meeting on the development work in Ayodhya. Among the attendees were Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, deputy CMs Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma, according to sources.

Describing Ayodhya as a place that is etched in the cultural consciousness of every Indian and one that should manifest the finest traditions as well as the modern, Modi said the city encompasses both "the spiritual and the sublime", the sources said.


"The human ethos of this city must be matched by futuristic infrastructure, which is beneficial for everyone including tourists and pilgrims... The coming generations should feel the desire to visit Ayodhya at least once in their lifetime," the sources quoted Modi as saying.

The PM underlined that while the city will continue to develop, the momentum towards heralding Ayodhya to this "next leap of progress" must begin now. The development work in the city should blend identity with infrastructure, he said, according to the sources.

"It is our collective endeavour to celebrate the identity of Ayodhya and keep its cultural vibrancy alive through innovative ways.... The way Lord Ram had the ability to bring people together, the development work of Ayodhya should be guided by a spirit of healthy public participation, especially by the youth," Modi was quoted as saying. He said the skills of talented youngsters should be leveraged for the development of Ayodhya.