First special train leaves Tumakuru for Ayodhya Dham with over 1,000 devotees

TUMAKURU: A special train, carrying 250 devotees, left Tumakuru for Ayodhya Dham railway station today morning. The passengers included Kar Sevaks, women and other Ram devotees.

At the railway station, Hindu activists offered puja to Lord Ram, conducted bhajans and then saw off the devotees. “The first train to Ayodhya from Tumakuru left today and January 22 was a historic day when the idol of Ram Lalla was consecrated. All the devotees were very excited”, said Tumakuru Rural MLA Suresh Gowda.

“This is a six-day trip and all arrangements have been made for the devotees on the train. The devotees have paid the ticket fare of Rs 3,000 themselves”, said BJP district president Hebbaka Ravi.

“We are grateful to the BJP for organising the visit as it was our dream to visit the Ram temple in Ayodhya. More and more people should visit the temple and protect our culture”, said Vageesh Aradhya. He said about 345 devotees from Tumakuru, Madhugiri Sira Pavagada people, and totally 1,146 including from Hassan, Chikkamagalur are visiting Ayodhya.

Another devotee, Premalatha, said they are elated to visit the birthplace of Lord Ram. “All arrangements have been done very well”, she said.