Grand Opening Of Ram Mandir In Ayodhya Draws India's Elite, Sparking Economic Boom

The holy city of Ayodhya is abuzz as India's political, business, and cultural luminaries gather for the inauguration of the Ram Temple. With private jets filling airport parking lots and gold-plated idols flying off the shelves, the event is a religious milestone.

Scheduled for Monday, the invite-only ceremony boasts a guest list that reads like a who's who of India, featuring the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, and Asia's wealthiest man, Mukesh Ambani, among the estimated 8,000 attendees. The temple believed to be constructed on the birthplace of Lord Ram, has been a long-cherished dream for Hindu devotees.

Luxury takes centre stage in the preparations, with private jet bookings reaching a crescendo. Rajan Mehra, CEO of Club One Air, notes that being invited to the event has become a prestigious status symbol. His charter service, including the coveted Dassault Falcon 2000, is booked for multiple trips next week.

Officials anticipate a spectacle in the skies as around 100 private jets are expected to descend upon Ayodhya airport, filling it to capacity. Nearby airports in Varanasi and Gorakhpur are also witnessing a surge in bookings.

The temple's construction has triggered an economic boom, transforming the city into a pilgrimage hotspot for India's 1.1 billion Hindus. Property prices have skyrocketed, and Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan recently invested $1.7 million in a 10,000 square foot plot, marking a nine-fold increase in land prices within a few short years.

Amitabh Bachchan's purchase is part of the House of Abhinandan Lodha luxury development, a project witnessing unprecedented demand from both domestic and non-resident Indians. Chairman Abhinandan Lodha attributes this surge not only to economic prospects but also to an emotional attachment to being part of the Ayodhya story.

Gold traders and jewellers are also reaping the benefits of the temple's grand opening. Gold and gold-plated statues of Lord Ram and temple replicas, priced between Rs 30,000 and Rs 2,20,000, are flying off the shelves, with some items imported from Thailand.

*Inputs from Reuters*