Ayodhya's visitor numbers exceeded 16 million in 2024

Ayodhya has seen a remarkable increase in visitors over the past few years, according to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. He noted that while 2.34 lakh pilgrims visited in 2016-17, over 16 crore came to the city in 2024. Daily visitor numbers now exceed 2 lakh. Yogi made these remarks at the opening of the Timeless Ayodhya Literature Festival, which featured Vedic chanting. He highlighted the importance of Ayodhya in Indian culture, saying it is the foundation of Sanatan Dharma. The area is known as the karmabhoomi, or place of action, for Lord Ram. He spoke about the significance of the Ramayana and Ramcharitmanas, authored by Maharishi Valmiki and Saint Tulsidas. These texts continue to be cherished in homes across India and beyond. Yogi emphasized that the ongoing Ram Mandir movement has brought deserved respect to Ayodhya. Reflecting on literature, Yogi mentioned its role in capturing society’s values and preserving culture. Despite the shift to digital consumption, he expressed hope that events like the literature festival would revive traditional reading habits. The Chief Minister congratulated the festival team and stated that such events will inspire future generations and elevate Indian literature. Several government officials and cultural figures attended the opening ceremony.