Yogi Adityanath says no restrictions will be imposed on Panchkosi, 14-Kosi and 84-Kosi parikramas; urges people to protect Ayodhya’s cultural and spiritual heritage
Ayodhya, November 2026 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said that devotees of Lord Ram would no longer face firing in Ayodhya and no one would be allowed to use lathis or sticks against people chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’. He also asserted that no restrictions could be imposed on the Panchkosi, 14-Kosi and 84-Kosi parikramas.
He said these commitments should become a collective resolve to preserve Ayodhya as a clean, beautiful, well-organised and dignified city befitting its identity as the abode of Lord Ram.
The Chief Minister was addressing a Diwali Milan programme organised in the Nishad settlement near Ramghat Halt in Ayodhya. On the occasion, he honoured members of the Nishad community, boatmen, boat operators, sanitation workers, municipal councillors and other personnel for their contributions to cleanliness and public services. He also distributed Diwali gifts.
Yogi said he had personally come to thank the people for their contribution to the grand Deepotsav celebrations held a day earlier. He stressed that maintaining cleanliness and order in the city was a shared responsibility.
He said people should feel proud when they identify themselves as residents of Ayodhya. However, if a city or village remains dirty and poorly managed, its residents may face embarrassment when they travel elsewhere. The reputation of a place, he said, is shaped by its cleanliness and civic arrangements, making it everyone's responsibility to uphold Ayodhya's dignity.
Sanitation workers praised for maintaining clean ghats after Deepotsav
The Chief Minister praised sanitation workers for their efforts in maintaining cleanliness after the grand Deepotsav celebrations.
He said more than 30 lakh earthen lamps were illuminated during the event, while lakhs of devotees from across the country and the world gathered in Ayodhya. Despite the huge crowds remaining until late at night, all the ghats were found clean and well-maintained the following morning.
He said there was no litter, disorder or disturbance, while groups of young people could be seen heading towards Hanumangarhi and the Ram Janmabhoomi temple to offer prayers.
Yogi congratulated the sanitation workers for managing the arrangements efficiently despite the massive gathering and acknowledged their role in ensuring that Ayodhya remained clean and orderly.
Nishad community, boatmen lauded for their contribution
The Chief Minister also appreciated the contribution of boatmen, boat operators and members of the Nishad community during the Sarayu Aarti.
He said boatmen had performed their responsibilities with great alertness during the ceremony. Ayodhya witnesses large numbers of devotees every Saturday and Sunday, on new moon and full moon days, and during important religious festivals.
Devotees visit the banks of the Sarayu, take a holy dip and seek blessings. Yogi said the contribution of local boatmen and the Nishad community in managing activities around the ghats was commendable.
He added that the community was playing an important role in carrying forward Ayodhya's traditional heritage and deserved recognition for its services.
Lord Ram's victory was made possible by collective support
Referring to Ayodhya's spiritual and cultural legacy, Yogi said people across India and the world remember the city with reverence and respect.
He recalled that Lord Ram received the support of Nishadraj, Mata Shabari, the Vanara and bear communities during his struggle against demonic forces. Their collective efforts helped Lord Ram achieve victory.
When Lord Ram returned to Ayodhya, people across the country celebrated his arrival by lighting lamps and welcoming him with devotion, he said.
The Chief Minister added that festivals such as Diwali, Holi, Raksha Bandhan, Vijayadashami, Ram Navami and Vivah Panchami, along with Ayodhya's Jhoola Mela, keep India's traditions and collective memories alive.
Every section of society contributed to building the new Ayodhya
Yogi said the transformation of Ayodhya had been made possible through the contribution of people from every section of society.
While the government could undertake construction and development projects, protecting public assets and preserving the city's development achievements was also the responsibility of local residents.
He cautioned that development would lose its purpose if people damaged or removed public infrastructure after it had been built. He said future generations would remember and appreciate the contributions made by citizens during the construction of the new Ayodhya.
Yogi calls for protection against forces seeking to malign Ayodhya
Appealing to people to accept the Diwali gifts, the Chief Minister urged them to collectively resolve that no 'Manthara' or 'Marich' should cast an evil eye on Ayodhya in the future.
He said no one should be allowed to undermine the city's glory or bring disrepute to it again. The collective objective, he added, should be to preserve Ayodhya as a clean, beautiful, well-organised and dignified city associated with Lord Ram.
Sanitation workers, boatmen and councillors honoured
During the programme, Yogi honoured sanitation workers and their children for their outstanding services. Those recognised included Awadhesh Nishad, Suraj Nishad, Chanda Nishad, Kaushalya Nishad, Renu Nishad, Kajal Nishad, Aaradhya, Madhavi Gautam, Ansh, Jyoti, Sunita, Babban, Sandeep and Arun.
Councillors recognised for their work in sanitation included Kunti Pandey of Pateshwari Nagar Ward, Manisha Yadav of Chitragupt Nagar Ward, Ramteerth of Lala Lajpat Nagar Ward, Surya Kumar Tiwari of Kalyan Singh Ward and Abhinav Pandey of Jhulelal Nagar Ward.
Divers who had contributed to keeping the Sarayu clean were also honoured. They included Satish Majhi, Brajesh Majhi, Jaggu Majhi, Babu Nishad and Abhishek Nishad.
The Chief Minister called upon everyone to take a pledge to protect Ayodhya's sanctity, cultural heritage and development.
