Ram Mandir vs. Economy: Unmasking Controversies

This article is dedicated to my God, Prabhu Shri Ram.

In this article, I will try to explain how the Ram Mandir is not just a temple but also a significant economic hub. The Ram Mandir is likely to attract lots of visitors from around the world, which will really help the economy in Uttar Pradesh to grow a lot.

Sanatan Dharma is always not just about spirituality but also about economics. The festivals of Sanatan Dharma are a spark plugs for the economic engine. If you read the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayan, Mahabharat, Arthshastra, and Vidur Neeti, you will understand that Sanatan Dharma is not just a set of rituals but a complete economic system that benefits all levels of society.

Just as Mecca and Medina are significant for Muslims, and the Vatican is important for Christians, the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is going to hold the same significance for Hindus worldwide.

In the coming days, we may witness important decisions being made for the peace of Bharat (India) and for the world from Ayodhya.

First, let's understand how any temple is connected to economic growth.

People travel for various reasons such as leisure, business, education, health, sports, shopping, entertainment, visiting friends and family, and pilgrimage.

Friends, you'll be surprised to know that, according to the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), on average, every Bhartiye (Indians) spend ₹2,717 per day on religious travel, ₹2,286 on education travel, and ₹1,068 on social travel.

The Pew Global Attitude survey indicates that 25% of Bhartiye are more inclined towards religious activities. Let me share the latest data with you.

Number of tourist footfalls in 2022

1. Goa was 10 Millions

2. After the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor was built, Varanasi witnessed 70 Millions visitors in 2022 and 100 Millions in 2023.

3. Ayodhya is expected to have 200 Millions visitors.

Pilgrims usually stay in midsize or small hotels, eat in local restaurants, use local transportation, and purchase sacred items like flowers, oil, lamps, perfumes, bangles, sindur, images, and puja dresses. The increasing sales of these products benefit both direct and indirect labor-intensive industries.

According to NSSO, the Hindu temple economy is worth ₹3020000 Millions, or about $40 billion, contributing 2.32 percent to the GDP. In 2022-23, the central government revenue was ₹19,34,706 Millions, and just six temples collected ₹2,40,000 Millions in cash alone.

The National Secretary of CAIT estimates that the inauguration of the Shri Ram Mandir in January 2022 will generate business worth at least ₹5,00,000 Millions.

On one hand, people are becoming more religious, and on the other hand, they are spending more on pilgrimage travel.

Many think that tourism is a fancy word for high-income groups, but it has been an integral part of Bharat's cultural and social life for centuries. We Bhartiya used to go to pilgrimages even when we had no resources.

So far in this article, you might have understood how the temple is not just a temple but also an economic hub.

Now, let me tell you which industries will benefit the most from the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya:

• Handicrafts (Lockets, key chains, pictures of Ram Darbar, models of Ram Temple, etc.)

• Textile

• Farmers (especially flowers, fruits, and other crops)

• Fruit shops

• Hotels (small size to 5-star hotels)

• Restaurants

• Dharamshalas and homestays

• Local transportation (government buses, private taxis, autos, etc.)

• Fertilizer

• Sovereign shops

• Pottery

• Oil

• Jewelry

• Puja items and related products

• Books (Granth)

• Sweets and snacks

With people from around the world visiting Ayodhya, world-class infrastructure is crucial. Let's see how much progress has been made in Uttar Pradesh's infrastructure after Yogi Adityanath became Chief Minister:

1. Kashi Vishwanath corridor (It will give boost to tourism industry)

2. Kanpur metro

3. Purvanchal expressway

4. Ganga expressway

5. Gorakhpur link expressway

6. 59+ medical colleges

7. Raja Mahendra Pratap University

8. Kushinagar international airport

9. Noida international airport

10. Arjuna Sahayak Pariyojana

11. Reconstruction of Mohansaray Deendayal Upadhyay road (worth ₹4130 Millions)

12. Reconstruction of Varanasi Bhadohi Gopiganj road (worth ₹2690 Millions)

13. Sewage treatment plant in Ramna village (worth ₹1610 Millions)

14. Modification in Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya Cancer Center (worth ₹1300 Millions)

15. Hi-tech camera installation at 720 points (worth ₹1280 Millions)

16. Noida Aqua Line metro

17. 18-24 hours of electricity daily in the whole state (4 hours of daily electricity during Samajwadi Government)

18. 26.1 Millions washrooms (Toilets)

19. Bundelkhand expressway

20. Lucknow metro

21. Agra metro

22. Gorakhpur metro

23. Lucknow international airport

24. Varanasi international airport

25. Ayodhya international airport

26. Bareli airport

27. Prayagraj airport

28. Hindon airport

29. Kanpur airport

30. Water supply to every home

31. Sobhagya Yojana (for electricity)

32. Defense corridor worth ₹4000 crores

33. Home to 43 lakhs

34. Unemployment rate in 2017 was 18%, whereas in 2021, it is 4.1%

35. One District One Product (exports increased from ₹8,89,670 Millions in 2017 to ₹121000000 Millions in 2021)

36. Gorakhpur and Raibareli AIIMS

37. 8 Millions of small industries are set up

Water bodies like Raj Ghat, Ram Ghat, Lakshman Ghat, Tulsi Ghat, Naya Ghat, Swargdwar Ghat, Janaki Ghat, Vidya Kund, Vibhishan Kund, Dhavan Kund, Sita Kund, and 108+ ponds in the city are either Renovated or restored.

Ayodhya was once a town of old and broken buildings, narrow lanes, old temples, and Dharamshala, is now a city with 35 new hotels, 600 home-stays, an international airport, a modern railway station, wide roads, and decorated buildings.

From a defunct airport spread across 178 acres, with hardly any traffic, the new Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya is now across 821 acres and has been built for ₹1,462 crore!

For those who question why so much money is being spent on a Ram Temple instead of hospitals, schools, etc. for such foolish and ignorant people my few concluding words are:

1. It's important to note that the temple is being built with donations from only and only devotees from around the world, not government funds.

2. From the Kashi Vishwanath corridor to airports, expressways, metro projects, medical colleges, and revitalizing water bodies, the state has undergone a remarkable transformation since 2017. The notable point is why public infrastructure development hasn't happened as rapidly in the last 75 years as it has been happening in Uttar Pradesh since Yogi Adityanath took oath as Chief Minister.

May the sorrow continue to grow for those constantly grieving and unhappy about the construction of the Prabhu Shri Ram temple.

Jai Shri Ram.

#RamMandir #Ayodhya #SanatanDharma #TempleEconomy #Pilgrimage #YogiAdityanath #UttarPradesh #Bharat #JaiShriRam #Ramayana