Ayodhya, a city whispered in ancient poems and etched in the pages of the Ramayana. Today, it resonates with its voice not just in India, but all over the world.
To truly understand its soul, Rajesh Karkera/Rediff.com spoke to Ayodhya nivasis to find out how they respond to the new Ram temple in their midst, and the changes in their lives.
Photographs and Videos: Rajesh Karkera/Rediff.com
The Guptas, owners, Shree Radhe Bhojnalay
For 14 years, Shree Radhe Bhojnalay has been a Rampath cornerstone, nurtured by the Guptas.
Though Radhe Shyam Gupta could easily retire, his sons wouldn't hear of it. He still insists on frying fluffy puris and shaping rotis with practised ease, his hands whispering his love for this land.
He has witnessed Rampath's transformation firsthand, from village to bustling town.
"With my eyes, I have been seeing all that has been happening for a long time now....I saw the '90s, then the riots in '92... saw it all.... but now the divine look of Shree Ram.. which is here now... All the public... The world will now see Shree Ram's divine form," he says.
"Mahol bahut uttam hai (The atmosphere is fantastic), Shree Ramchandraji has arrived, Now there is nothing else we desire. A new age has come. The old age is over. A new Ayodhya has come into being."
Shashi and Vedprakash Mishra, owners, Mishra Tea Stall
Shashi and Vedprakash Mishra began making tea and selling it in 1996.
Soon after they married they realise they had no income, but tea was the one thing Vedprakash was good at making.
Shashi suggested opening a tea stall and 27 years later its income pays for their leased house and the education of their four children.
Jagdish Prasad Tiwari, Nagar Nigam official
Jagdish Prasad Tiwari, who works at the Ayodhya Nagar Nigam office, is relaxed on Tuesday as his assignment supervising some of the arrangements for the opening of the temple concludes.
Upasana Tripathi, medical student
A medical student, a dancer and speaker, Upasana Tripathi shares the meaning of Dharampath.
Falguni Sinha, yoga trainer.
A yoga trainer from Gonda and one of the performers at the events in Ayodhya on Monday, Falguni Sinha is impressed to see everyone around so happy.
Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
