The Gujarat government has begun construction of a Rs 80.25-crore Yatri Niwas in Ayodhya to provide accommodation and other facilities for devotees and tourists travelling from the state to the temple town.
The facility, being developed by the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd (TCGL), will have a capacity to accommodate 308 people and feature a large hall with seating arrangements for 864 visitors.
According to the state government, the project is being constructed on 6,929.28 square metres of land in an upcoming township in Ayodhya. Construction is underway, and the facility is expected to become operational within a year.
The Yatri Niwas will offer different categories of rooms, along with a reception centre and visitors’ lounge. Other amenities will include a souvenir shop, multipurpose hall, auditorium, meeting rooms and dining facilities.
The complex will also feature a terrace garden, digital display systems and landscaped areas to enhance the experience of visitors.
Officials said the project is being developed under the guidance of Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi.
The state government said the facility aims to provide comfortable accommodation and essential amenities to pilgrims and tourists from Gujarat visiting Ayodhya for religious and cultural purposes.
The Yatri Niwas is also expected to serve as an accommodation centre for groups undertaking organised religious and cultural tours to the city.
The project comes amid increased religious tourism in Ayodhya following the consecration of the Ram temple in January 2024, which has attracted devotees from across India and abroad.
The Gujarat government had earlier announced plans to construct a Yatri Bhavan in Ayodhya to facilitate pilgrims from the state. In March 2024, it had earmarked Rs 50 crore for the proposed facility.
The latest project, with an estimated cost of Rs 80.25 crore, envisages expanded accommodation capacity and a wider range of amenities to meet the needs of visitors.
According to the state government, the initiative is intended to provide pilgrims with a comfortable, home-like stay while strengthening the cultural and spiritual ties between Gujarat and Ayodhya.
(IANS Inputs)
