Ram Temple: Business increased even before the inauguration, airports filled with private jets, gold plated idols finished
Ram Mandir: Around 8,000 VVIPs, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Asia's richest businessman Mukesh Ambani, are scheduled to reach Ayodhya on Monday for the consecration of Ram Lalla. Being invited to the event has become a status symbol, said Rajan Mehra, CEO of Indian luxury charter service Club One Air.
The living consecration of Ramlala has led to a massive surge in Ayodhya's commercial activity. Private planes are parked here at the airport in large numbers. In addition, local stores are out of gold-plated idols. They are in such high demand that not even local markets carry them.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Asia's wealthiest industrialist, Mukesh Ambani, are among the approximately 8,000 VVIPs expected to go to Ayodhya on Monday for the consecration of Ram Lalla. According to Rajan Mehra, CEO of Club One Air, an Indian luxury charter airline, receiving an invitation to an event has become a symbol of status. He has reserved all of his jets for flying to Ayodhya.
On January 22, 100 private aircraft are expected to land at Ayodhya airport, according to officials. It will be filled as a result. Jets are also anticipated to fill the Varanasi airport, which is approximately four hours' drive away from here. In addition, aircraft arrivals at Gorakhpur airport, which is three hours' drive from Ayodhya, have begun and will continue to grow.
According to experts, the cost of a Falcon 2000 return ticket carrying nine passengers from Mumbai to Gorakhpur might be approximately Rs 61 lakh. Club One Air, a premium charter provider, hasn't disclosed anything, though.
Several retailers claim that they are out of gold and gold-plated Ram idols and accessories. They cost between Rs 30,000 and Rs 2.20 lakh.
To meet the demand we have also imported from Thailand. Baldev Singh, manager of HS Jewelers in Lucknow, said customers are buying them for gifting and keeping in homes. At present there is a waiting list of two weeks.
The average price of land in this dusty city has now increased almost nine times from a few years ago, government officials said. Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan has bought a 10,000-square-foot plot for Rs 14 crore. People are betting on economic prosperity but they are also pursuing their emotional attachment commercially to be a part of the story of Ayodhya.
