Ayodhya (UP), Mar 21 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said that Ayodhya is the foundation of Sanatan Dharma and it is not just a city, but a source of inspiration for religion and literature."
The Chief Minister was addressing the inaugural session of the Timeless Ayodhya Literature Festival as the chief guest. He began the event with a symbolic gesture by offering water to an Ashoka plant amidst Vedic chanting.
Applauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said that the PM has revived Indian traditions by seamlessly blending heritage with development, marking a new beginning for the nation.
Highlighting the remarkable rise in Ayodhya's spiritual prominence, Yogi said that while only 2.34 lakh devotees visited the city in 2016-17, today over 16 crore people are arriving to catch a glimpse of Lord Shri Ram. "This reflects the growing glory and grandeur of Ayodhya," he said.
He said, "Ayodhya is the foundation of Sanatan Dharma. It is not just a city, but a source of inspiration for religion and literature."
Reflecting on the compositions of the Ramayana and Ramcharitmanas by Maharishi Valmiki and Saint Tulsidas, he said that Ayodhya has long been a centre for literature and culture. "Ayodhya is the spiritual heart of Sanatan Dharma. It was here that Lord Manu laid the foundation of human religion, and this sacred land became the karmabhoomi of Lord Shri Ram, an incarnation of Shri Hari Vishnu," he said.
The CM said, "The Ramayana emerged as the world's first epic, offering a new direction to literature. Just as Maharishi Valmiki immortalised the Ram Katha, every creation associated with Ayodhya continues to resonate deeply with people today. The Ramayana and Ramcharitmanas are still read and cherished in every household across India and in corners of the world."
Discussing the Ram Mandir movement, he emphasised that Ayodhya deserves the respect it has long been entitled to. He shared how, when the plan to celebrate Deepotsava in Ayodhya was introduced in 2017, some people raised doubts, but today millions of devotees participate in the celebration, making it a massive success.
On the topic of literature, Yogi said that it reflects society’s values and plays a crucial role in preserving culture while guiding the community in the right direction. He acknowledged the disruption of traditional reading and writing habits in today's digital age but expressed confidence that events like the literature festival would help revive these practices.
Congratulating the team behind the Timeless Ayodhya Literature Festival, he said that such events would inspire future generations and elevate Indian literature to new heights. He said that the festival demonstrated that Ayodhya is not just a religious centre, but also a revered land of literature and culture.
The CM also shared a personal anecdote from his visit to Europe, where he had a conversation with a taxi driver from Punjab. "When asked about his origin, the driver initially hesitated before revealing that he was from Pakistan. When I asked why he had identified himself as Indian first, the driver explained, 'We feel safer saying we are Indian. If we say Pakistani, who knows what might happen'," he said.
He highlighted that this reflected a broader global respect for India, but also pointed to the disdain toward those who fostered terrorism. He said that today, people take pride in identifying as citizens of India, particularly those from UP.
UNI AB KK