Ayodhya, 14 June (HS): Ram Darbar, which was constructed on the first

level of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, was opened to worshipers on Saturday,

according to authorities. Beginning Saturday, pilgrims visiting Ram Mandir will

be able to access Ram Darbar, after a decision made by the temple trust late

Friday evening. Anil Mishra, a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth

Kshetra Trust, stated that because the decision was taken late in the evening,

only a limited number of passes for two slots - 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and 7 p.m. to

9 p.m. - had been reserved for Saturday's visits.

Champat Rai, the general secretary

of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, approved devotees' visits to

the Ram Darbar during a meeting with the local authority, according to Mishra. Passes

would be granted for anyone intending to attend Ram Darbar, just as they were

during Ram Lalla's darshan, he added.

On June 5, the consecration of Ram Darbar - Lord Rama in his royal form - and

the installation of idols in eight newly-built temples within the Ram

Janmabhoomi complex marked a significant step toward the completion of the

grand temple, which has been at the center of political and religious discourse

for decades. Mishra stated that 300 passes will be offered for each of the

following two-hour time slots: 7 to 9 am, 9 am to 11 am, 1 pm to 3 pm, 3 pm to

5 pm, 5 to 7 pm, and 7 pm to 9 pm. The district administrative authorities and

temple trust have each been allotted 150 passes.

According to Mishra, 100 permits

are for'special darshan' and 50 for 'easy access darshan'.

The Ram Darbar houses idols of Sita, Lakshman, Bharat, Shatrughan, and Hanuman

in addition to Lord Ram's.

According to the temple trust, among the deities dedicated were Lord Shiva in

the northeast corner, Lord Ganesha in the southeast corner, Lord Hanuman in the

southern wing, Surya in the southwest corner, Bhagwati in the northwest corner,

and Annapurna in the north wing.

The temple, constructed in the ancient Nagara style, is 360 feet long, 235 feet

wide, and stands 161 feet tall. The three-story edifice, which spans 2.77

acres, contains 392 carved pillars, 44 entrances, and intricately sculpted

images of Hindu deities.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi