As Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is set to be inaugurated on January 22, there has been a surge in people planning to visit the sacred city. This has spiked demand for travel to Ayodhya, which has led to an increase in both airfare and train fares. As pilgrims and tourists eagerly anticipate witnessing the historic moment, the transportation costs reflect the heightened interest and influx of visitors to the revered destination.

Flights to Delhi- Ayodhya and Mumbai- Ayodhya routes on January 20 and 21 cost around Rs 16,000 as compared to the average fare on the route of around Rs 3,500 to Rs 4,000. The fares on the Mumbai- Ayodhya route have surged over Rs. 20,000.

“Amidst the grand Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha ceremony at Ayodhya on 22nd January, we are seeing a remarkable 150% increase in Ayodhya flight bookings since January 01, 2024, for 21st-23rd Jan…Additionally, we’ve seen a 70% increase in flight searches to Ayodhya since Jan 1,” CEO and Co-Founder of EaseMyTrip Nishant Pitti mentioned. 

For January 20, the cheapest one-way ticket from Delhi to Ayodhya flight is priced at Rs 11,829, with only a few seats remaining as most tickets were sold out well in advance. Meanwhile, Bengluauru-Ayodhya’s most expensive ticket is priced at Rs 29,700, reflecting a 395% increase, and which includes a layover in Ahmedabad as well. 

Meanwhile, for a one-way flight from Bengaluru to Ayodhya on January 20, the cheapest ticket is priced at a whopping Rs 24,000. 

To witness the mega opening of the Ram Temple pilgrims from all across the country are set to visit Ayodhya. The city’s Maharishi Valmiki International Airport was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 30. It has been developed at a cost of over Rs 1,450 crore and is designed to serve approximately 10 lakh passengers each year.

Hotel prices at all time high

Not only the airfares but the hotel industry is also witnessing a massive upward trend as bookings and hotel inquiries have gone up in the city.

The rent for a room at Cygnett Collection Hotel on January 22 is priced at Rs 70,240, up by four times from January last year when it was Rs 16,800. Similarly, a room in the city’s Ramayana Hotel is available at Rs 40,000 per day. Notable, this price was Rs 14,900 in January 2023. Hotel Ayodhya Palace is offering a room at Rs 18,221, five times the price at the same time last year when it sold a room for Rs 3,722.

Speaking on the demand for hotel stay in the city, Rajesh Magow, Co-Founder & Group CEO of MakeMyTrip said, “Given the comparatively small visitor base for Ayodhya previously, we see a 5X upside in searches (y-o-y) and are already recording 4X more bookings as compared to last year. Expectedly, the duration of Jan 10-22 is seeing a sharp increase in bookings.”

More than 1 lakh crore worth of business boost 

Due to the highly anticipated consecration ceremony of Lord Shri Ram’s temple, expectations are running high for a substantial boost in business activities across the country. Anticipation of over 1 lakh crore business surge with Delhi alone to contribute over 20 thousand crore ahead of the ceremony. 

According to a press release, initially estimated at 50 thousand crores, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has now revised its estimate to Rs 1 lakh crore.

This surge in spending is anticipated to result from purchases of goods, availing various services, and organizing numerous events associated with the temple consecration.

Trade associations across the country are organizing approximately 30,000 different programs, including market processions, Ram Chowki, Ram rallies, Ram Pad Yatra, scooter and car rallies, and Ram assemblies.