LUCKNOW: State govt has declared a two-day holiday for Ram Navami on March 26 and 27, an official spokesperson said.The official said March 26 was already declared a holiday, but chief minister Yogi Adityanath decided to extend it by a day to allow devotees to perform rituals conveniently and for govt to be able to manage arrangements at temples more effectively. This year, Ashtami and Navami are also overlapping, and there is a large segment of people who will be celebrating Ram Navami on March 27. “Every year, a large number of devotees visit major religious places in the state during Ram Navami. This year as well, considering the possibility of increased crowds in temples across the state, including Ayodhya, and keeping in mind public sentiment, the decision to extend the holiday was taken,” the official said. The spokesperson added that this move is also a mark of respect for the faith of the people. “The additional holiday will also help the govt in organising traffic, security and other arrangements at temples more efficiently,” he said.
