The Yogi Adityanath administration of Uttar Pradesh banned alcohol sales across the 84 Kosi Parikrama of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, the sacred city where the massive Ram Temple is scheduled to open shortly, according to reports.
The government has created a “no spirits zone” along the whole 84-Kosi Parikrama circuit, according to UP Excise and Prohibition Minister Nitin Agarwal, and the wine stores within the forbidden region would either be transferred or eliminated.
The Excise Minister met with Champat Rai, the General Secretary of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir Trust, and this is what transpired. Agarwal emphasized that there have already been directives for this action.
On December 30, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to visit Ayodhya to officially launch and lay the groundwork for several development projects valued at over ₹11,100 crores, which would modernize public spaces and build top-notch infrastructure in the holy city.
Agarwal stated, “We decided to restrict the sale of alcohol on 84 Kosi Parikrama Marg by the Chief Minister’s directives. We’ve moved the designated stores there and banned alcohol sales entirely on that Marg. Since the route is 150–175 km long, all of the stores have been moved.
The minister went on to clarify that the prohibition on the sale of alcohol does not extend to the other Ayodhya cities but rather to the 84 Kosi Parikrama of the Ram Temple.
Within the 84 Kosi Parikrama region, there are around 500 liquor stores, all of which close after the order.
It is significant to remember that the UP government outlawed the selling of alcohol in or near Ayodhya and Mathura temples in June 2022. The liquor merchants’ licenses in Ayodhya were revoked by the government. Thirty-seven businesses selling beer, spirits, and bhang that were close to temples in Mathura were forced to close by the authorities. All three of the hotels’ bars were closed.
