Sudipta Dev – Mumbai
Saryu Mahotsava has been celebrated in Ayodhya for the last 109 years. Completely, a community initiative, it has been attracting about 30,000 to 40,000 tourists every year. Tornos Destinations, a UP based inbound tour operator, that has been engaged with this event, is launching a curated tour of Ayodhya for international markets that have a sizable Hindu populace. “We have worked upon improvising the event and integrating it as a part of an attractive tourism product. The Mokshdayni Ayodhya Walk is an experiential product designed for international visitors,” said Prateek Hira, president and CEO, Tornos Destinations. The UP chapter of FICCI is also actively supporting the tourism product that can go a long way in bringing Ayodhya on the international tourism map.
Pointing out that there is a large Hindu market abroad, from Trinidad & Tobago to South Africa, Fiji, Surinam, Mauritius, Canada, US and the UK, Hira stated, “This is an untapped market and the significance of Ayodhya does not need to be explained to them.” Mokshdayni Ayodhya Walk along the river Saryu will start from Kanchan Bhawan and pass through Rinmochan Ghat, Laxman Quila, Seshawtar Temple, and other important landmarks before culminating at Nageshwarnath Temple. Guests will take part in rituals like Rudrabhishek, Kanya Bhoj, and meal at a temple, etc.
The name of Ayodhya has always been associated with controversies that have not been beneficial for the local populace. “There is a lot of community engagement in this tourism initiative. Local support has been sought to make this product a success,” said Hira adding that some local industrialists have also come forward to lend support.
In terms of hospitality the palace of the Raja of Ayodhya is being converted into a heritage hotel. There are also a few good dharamshalas (religious resthouses) where international guests can stay.