As the date for the consecration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya approaches, Bengaluru residents eager to witness the historic event are facing exorbitant airfares and soaring hotel rates. Ticketing agencies report a surge in demand, with flights nearly sold out around the inauguration day on January 22.
For a one-way flight from Bengaluru to Lucknow, the nearest city to Ayodhya, on January 20, the cheapest available ticket is priced at approximately Rs 8,000. Flights around that weekend are almost fully booked, with only a limited number of seats still available. While there are currently no direct flights between Bengaluru and Ayodhya, Air India Express is set to operate thrice-weekly direct flights starting January 17 – every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Most travelers will endure a journey of at least six to eight hours, often with one stop-over in cities like New Delhi, Gwalior, Mumbai, or Ahmedabad.
On January 20, the most expensive ticket is listed at Rs 29,700, departing from Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru at 1 pm and arriving in Ayodhya at 11 pm after a five-hour layover in Ahmedabad.
Hotel Industry Prepares for Influx:
As the demand for accommodations surges in Ayodhya in the lead-up to the temple inauguration, the local hotel industry is witnessing a construction boom. Hotel occupancy rates have risen from 80% to 100%, leading to substantial price hikes, with some hotels charging up to Rs 70,000 per night.
While the consecration itself is an invite-only ceremony, common people are making plans for their Ayodhya trip, hoping to savor the experience even from a distance. The areas adjoining the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple site are expected to be thronged with visitors from Bengaluru over the weekend preceding the temple opening.
