New Delhi: Ayodhya received over 23.82 crore devotees this year between January and June in a record footfall, officials said on Sunday, as the city readied itself to receive more visitors for Deepotsav.

An official statement by the Uttar Pradesh government said the Deepotsav celebration has increased Ayodhya’s appeal both nationally and internationally. “As a result, the number of tourists visiting Ayodhya has been steadily rising. While domestic tourists make up a large portion, foreign tourists’ interest in the sacred city of Lord Shri Ram has also grown,” it said.

According to the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department, tourist inflow has risen over the years, from 1.78 crore visitors in 2017 — the first year of Deepotsav celebrations — to about 1.95 crore in 2018, 2.05 crore in 2019. It

See Full Page