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As the historic inauguration of the Ram Mandir approaches in Ayodhya on January 22, the holy city is immersed in religious fervor. Local reports indicate a significant surge in demand for saffron flags adorned with images of Lord Ram, Hanuman, and the upcoming grand temple.
Surge in Demand for Saffron Flags and Temple Merchandise. Devotees visiting Ayodhya for an early ‘darshan’ of Ram Lalla are enthusiastically purchasing these flags, along with other merchandise featuring the name and images of Lord Ram. The city is gearing up for the grand event, with a surge in demand for saffron flags bearing religious symbols.
Surge in Demand for Saffron Flags and Temple Merchandise ahead of Ram Mandir. Local shopkeepers confirm that saffron flags displaying images of Lord Ram and the upcoming Ram temple, accompanied by the ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogan and an image of Lord Hanuman, are highly sought after. This demand has notably increased since the 2019 Supreme Court verdict on the Ram Mandir issue, with a fresh spike in the weeks leading up to the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony.
Surge in demand for saffron flags bearing images of Lord Ram. Pradip Gupta, a restaurant owner along the significant thoroughfare of Ram Path, notes the popularity of these saffron flags among devotees. He mentions that, in the past, households rarely hoisted such flags on their rooftops, but now it has become a common practice.
The apex court’s historic verdict in 2019 supported the construction of the Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya, settling a contentious issue spanning over a century. Local businesses, especially those dealing with religious items, have experienced significant growth ahead of the ‘Pran Pratishtha.’
Walking down Ram Path, one can observe these high-demand flags displayed next to various shops and on pedestrian walkways, showcasing a range of sizes with prices varying from Rs 50 to Rs 1,000.
Shopkeepers, such as Mukesh Kumar, highlight the surge in sales, attributing it to the ongoing ‘yagyas’ and increased demand for flags during religious events like ‘kathas’ and ‘bhagwats.’ Ayodhya anticipates a vibrant atmosphere with flags on rooftops, balconies, and a flourishing market of temple-related merchandise as the inauguration day approaches.
