Ayodhya community kitchens receive nationwide donations ahead of Ram Mandir opening

In preparation for the upcoming pran pratishtha ceremony and the subsequent opening of the Ram Mandir on January 23, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is witnessing a surge in donations from people across India for the 45 community kitchens it plans to establish in Ayodhya.

The community kitchens aim to provide free meals to approximately 25,000 devotees daily from January to mid-March. Donations, including food grains, tea, spices, and other essential items, are pouring in from Assam, South India, Uttar Pradesh, Kanpur, Gonda, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh, among other regions. All received items are being stored at Ramsevakpuram in preparation for the expected influx of two to four lakh devotees daily.

The Trust, anticipating a significant turnout, issued an appeal in October for contributions such as flour, wheat, pulses, mustard oil, spices, and medicines. Around 3000 volunteers from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) will arrive in Ayodhya by December 20 to take charge of events related to the consecration ceremony.

Approximately 500 VHP cadre will manage the community kitchens, and the Trust is receiving requests from across the country for permission to run additional kitchens and services for devotees. The community kitchens are part of the Trust's initiative to serve free food to devotees during the anticipated surge in visitors to Ayodhya.