In view of the growing festive enthusiasm and expected surge of devotees, the Uttar Pradesh government led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced an additional public holiday on March 27, effectively extending the Ram Navami holiday to two days in the state.
Meanwhile, the Odisha government has also declared March 27 as a public holiday to facilitate smooth celebrations and enable devotees to participate in the festival.
Two-Day Ram Navami Break in Uttar Pradesh
March 26 had already been designated as a public holiday in Uttar Pradesh for the occasion of Ram Navami, which marks the birth anniversary of Lord Ram.
Officials said the decision to extend the holiday was taken in response to the large number of devotees visiting temples across the state during the festival period. The move aims to ease crowd pressure at religious sites and ensure greater convenience for worshippers.
Major pilgrimage centres such as Ayodhya, Varanasi and Mathura are expected to witness heavy footfall during the celebrations.
Odisha Prepares for Devotee Rush
The Odisha government’s decision to declare March 27 a holiday comes as authorities anticipate large gatherings at temples across the state.
Cities like Bhubaneswar, Puri and Cuttack are likely to see significant crowds as devotees participate in special prayers, rituals and religious programmes associated with the festival.
Officials believe the holiday will help devotees attend ceremonies without disruption and allow authorities to better manage the expected crowds.
Security Measures Strengthened
Security arrangements have been tightened in both states to ensure peaceful and orderly celebrations.
- In Uttar Pradesh, additional police personnel have been deployed in sensitive areas and major temples.
- In Odisha, authorities have stepped up police deployment and crowd management measures at prominent religious sites.
Guidelines have also been issued to ensure effective crowd control, maintain law and order, and prevent any untoward incidents during the festivities.
Festive Atmosphere Builds
As Ram Navami approaches, a festive atmosphere is already taking shape across the two states. Temples are being decorated, and preparations are underway for processions, devotional programmes, and special prayers.
Devotees are gearing up to celebrate the festival with enthusiasm, while administrations continue to focus on ensuring safe and smooth observance of the occasion.
