Skip to main content

Indian devotees splurge on jets, gold idols as Hindu temple opens

 

Indian devotees splurge on jets, gold idols as Hindu temple opens

As the highly anticipated opening ceremony of one of Hinduism's holiest temples approaches in Ayodhya, a wave of opulence and devotion has gripped the city. Private jet parking lots near Ayodhya are fully booked, and shops are experiencing a surge in demand for gold-plated idols as affluent devotees prepare for the exclusive invite-only event.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and business magnate Mukesh Ambani are among the approximately 8,000 attendees expected at Monday's inauguration ceremony for the Ram Temple. Devotees believe the temple is constructed on the birthplace of Lord Ram, a revered Hindu deity.

The construction of the temple, initiated after the Supreme Court awarded the site to Hindus in 2019, fulfills a significant campaign promise of Modi and his Hindu nationalist party. This milestone comes more than two decades after a Hindu mob razed a mosque at the same site, triggering deadly riots.

Organized by the trust responsible for building the temple, the opening ceremony precedes a national election where the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is anticipated to emerge victorious. The event is set to draw India's political and social elite, turning attendance into a coveted status symbol.

Rajan Mehra, CEO of luxury charter service Club One Air, noted the rising demand for private jets, with his fleet, including the prestigious Dassault Falcon 2000, fully booked for multiple trips. Approximately 100 private jets are expected to descend on Ayodhya airport, filling it to capacity, with additional demand at airports in Varanasi and Gorakhpur.

While Mehra did not disclose charter prices, JetSetGo lists a Mumbai-Gorakhpur return flight on a Falcon 2000 jet for about $74,000 with nine passengers on board.

The opening ceremony is not only impacting transportation but also boosting the business of jewellers and gold traders. Gold and gold-plated statues of Lord Ram and temple replicas, priced between 30,000 ($361) and 220,000 rupees ($2,647), are flying off the shelves, some even imported from Thailand.

The economic impact of the temple's inauguration is already evident, with Ayodhya poised to become a pilgrimage hotspot for India's 1.1 billion Hindus. Property prices have surged, and Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan recently invested in a $1.7 million plot as part of the House of Abhinandan Lodha luxury development, which includes a spa and a pool.

Abhinandan Lodha, Chairman of House of Abhinandan Lodha, highlighted the unique demand for the project, attributing it to people's emotional attachment to being part of the Ayodhya story and their belief in the city's economic prosperity.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bangladesh Military Expresses Discontent Over Chinese Weapons; Reports 'Sub-Standard' and Faulty Parts

  Bangladesh, a traditional buyer of Chinese military equipment, has raised grievances with Beijing regarding the delivery of defective components and technical malfunctions in its imported military hardware. This issue is not unique to Bangladesh, as other nations like Myanmar have also encountered problems with Chinese fighter jets, according to an ET report. Experts in the Chinese defense industry argue that Beijing lacks the expertise to manufacture highly sophisticated military hardware and is not yet considered a top-tier producer of modern defense equipment. They claim that much of China's weapon systems are based on outdated technology copied from the West. Developing countries often opt for Chinese weapons due to their lower cost compared to similar systems from Western countries. China sells arms through state-run export organizations like the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), NORINCO, and CVIC. Sources familiar with the matter told ET that the Bangladesh mil...
Post a Comment
Read more

India raises concern over North Korea missile tests at UNSC, 2nd time in weeks

 As the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) met for the second time in a month over the missile tests in North Korea, India yet again raised concerns over the impact on peace and security in the region. New Delhi has also reiterated its support for the denuclearisation in the Korean peninsula, underlining that it is “in collective interest” while also stressing that “dialogue and diplomacy” are preferred means to resolve the issue. The latest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test by the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) has again sparked tensions between nations with the United States and its allies calling for the country to limit its programs even as Russia and China back Pyongyang amid the likelihood of new sanctions. In the latest UNSC meeting, the United States, Britain, France, and India were among 14 nations to "strongly condemn" the latest North Korea launch on Friday, which was reported to have landed about 125 miles (200 kilometers) from ...
Post a Comment
Read more

North Korea Celebrates 'New Era of a Space Power' after Satellite Launch

  In a significant development, North Korea recently celebrated what it termed a 'new era of a space power' following the successful launch of a satellite. The reclusive nation's space endeavors have long been a source of international concern and scrutiny, raising questions about its technological capabilities and intentions. This latest achievement has reignited debates and speculation about North Korea's space ambitions. The satellite launch, conducted by North Korea's space agency, comes amid a backdrop of geopolitical tensions and global attention on the Korean Peninsula. The state media hailed the event as a major milestone, highlighting the successful deployment of the satellite into orbit. However, it is important to note that the international community remains skeptical, with concerns over the dual-use nature of space technology that could potentially be applied to ballistic missile systems. North Korea's pursuit of space capabilities has been a conten...
Post a Comment
Read more