AHEAD of the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22, jewellers are witnessing a high demand for gold and silver coins with the imprint of Ram temple and Ram Darbar. Pushpendra Jaiswal, General Secretary of Uttar Pradesh Jewellers’ Association, said that silver Ram Darbar is in greatdemandinthemarket. Jewellers,inKanpuralone, have received orders for5,000 coins depicting Ram temple and Ram Darbar (Ram with Lakshman, Sita and Hanuman) and 1,000 statues of Lord Ram indifferent sizes. Some jewellers are also selling small gold coins with replicas of Ram temple.

 

As per weight, the price of Ram Darbar silver coin ranges from Rs 900 to Rs 25,000, said Jaiswal. Pankaj Arora, President of All India Jewellers and GoldsmithsFederation, said that they estimate the consecration ceremony has generated a business of about Rs 800 crore in the city.Sincethe wedding season also begins frommid-January,coinswith Ram temple are emerging as one of the most favoured gifting options. “Statues of Lord Ram are also in great demandin this wedding season,” said Ratul Rastogi, a local jeweller. INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS INVITED FOR RAMOTSAV: THE Ramotsav, being celebrated in Ayodhya ahead of the consecration ceremony, will now have the participation of international artists and performers. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanathhasdirectedofficials to organise Ramlilas in 18 different forms. Key performances would start from Makar Sankranti (January 15) and would go on till January 22.