Bank, Public Holidays: Free Bus Ride To Ayodhya For Ram Lalla's Temple; By Whom And How, Details Here

A long weekend has emerged from January 20-22, as many states declare the inauguration day of Ram Lalla's temple in Ayodhya as a public holiday including Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Goa, and Madhya Pradesh among others. With this long weekend, Paytm has declared a mega offer, giving free bus tickets to devotees travelling to Ayodhya. However, there is a catch.

The free bus tickets are for the first 1,000 users booking via the Paytm app.

Paytm offers free bus tickets to travellers visiting Ayodhya with promo code 'BUSAYODHYA'. The exclusive offer is available from January 19.

One97 Communications Limited (OCL) which owns the brand Paytm, India's leading payments and financial services company and the pioneer of QR and mobile payments, has announced an exclusive offer for devotees planning to travel to Ayodhya by bus for the upcoming consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple on January 22.

In its statement, Paytm said that the company is offering an exciting deal for travellers in anticipation of a large number of people visiting Ayodhya for the temple inauguration.

The first 1,000 users who book their bus tickets to Ayodhya through the Paytm App can enjoy a free bus ticket by using promo code 'BUSAYODHYA'. This special offer is available from January 19.

To enhance the travel experience, Paytm offers a live bus tracking service, ensuring users can journey at ease while also sharing the real-time location of their booked bus with their close ones. With the Free Cancellation feature, users can also effortlessly cancel their bus tickets on Paytm, securing an instant full refund in their source account without providing a reason, it said.

Also, a Paytm spokesperson said, "As a pioneer in mobile payments and QR technology, we are thrilled to extend this exclusive offer for the devotees heading to Ayodhya. On this historic occasion, our aim is to make the travel experience seamless and enjoyable for everyone. With free bus tickets and features like live bus tracking and the free cancellation, we are committed to adding value to our users' journeys and ensuring a stress-free travel experience."

With public holidays in place, many have the opportunity to travel to Ayodhya.

The latest to join the bandwagon of public holidays on Monday is Maharashtra. And if Maharashtra goes on holiday, stock market BSE and NSE are also closed on January 22. Other states that have also declared public holidays on this auspicious day are - States like Uttar Pradesh, Chhatisgarh, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and Tripura.

Apart from this, public sector bank employees will have a half day on January 22 as per the government guidelines. However, private banks will be opened as technically January 22 is a working day as per RBI's dates.

On January 18, the Central Government announced a half-day closing till 2:30 pm on 22nd January 2024, at all Central Government offices, Central institutions & Central industrial establishments throughout India on the occasion of Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with other leaders and renowned figures will be attending the Prana Pratishtha, which began on January 16 and will continue to the consecration of Ram Lalla on January 22 in his birthplace, Ayodhya, a city on the banks of Sarayu River in the state of Uttar Pradesh.