The temple town of Ayodhya was again abuzz with activities as restrictions were eased, additional security forces withdrawn and more pilgrims started trickling down today, three days after the judgement on the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute.
The life in the city returned to normal as major portion of security forces deployed in the run-up to the court verdict were removed from markets, roads and residential localities.
All entry points to the city are now open for vehicles and even check barriers were removed. Also, the supply of vegetables and other essential commodities improved, resulting in exorbitant prices to fall after nearly two weeks.
Ram Nath Maurya, a vegetable seller, said, "in the last fifteen days we were not getting enough supply of vegetables and other items to meet the demand of locals and security forces, which resulted in shooting up of prices."
People of Ayodhya are determined to maintain communal harmony, irrespective of the court verdict.
Mahant Sarohar Das, a priest of Saryu temple, said "construction of mosque or temple at the disputed site may be an agenda of our faith and belief but the major and greater agenda is our peaceful coexistence."
{{/usCountry}}Mahant Sarohar Das, a priest of Saryu temple, said "construction of mosque or temple at the disputed site may be an agenda of our faith and belief but the major and greater agenda is our peaceful coexistence."
{{/usCountry}}Ram Narain Mishra, manager of a local school, echoed similar views, "religion is our priority ... but maintaining peace is our religious duty."
After the verdict there has been a marked increase in devotees flocking into the temple town especially from far-off states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat.
"From Saturday, we are observing rapid growth in the numbers of devotees offering prayers at the temple," a security personnel deployed at the famous Hanuman Gharhi temple here said.