As per a report by news agency ANI, which cited sources, the Uttar Pradesh government is planning to name the new international airport in the city as ‘Maharishi Valmiki International Airport Ayodhya Dham’ ahead of the much-awaited Pran-Pratishtha of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
The event takes place one day after the administration changed the name of the Ayodhya railway station to “Ayodhya Dham” junction. The airport will be opened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, December 30.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath submitted revised plans, increasing the construction site from 178 acres to 821 acres, which were then approved by the central government.
Maharishi Valmiki-
This is a great tribute to the saint who wrote the epic Ramayana and inspired masses with his work. Maharishi Valmiki was a scholar of Tamil and Sanskrit. He was Sanskrit literature’s first poet and also known as Adi Kavi. He was the first to narrate the life of Shri Ram. Apart from being a poet he was also a teacher and a great astronomer.
He has made sequentially astronomical references on significant dates in Sri Ram’s life. Pointing out where the planets were in relation to zodiac constellations and other nakshatras. For instance, the sun was in Aries, Saturn was in Libra, Jupiter and the moon were in Cancer, Venus was in Pisces, and Mars was in Capricorn on the day of Bhagwan Rama’s birth. In addition, it was the ninth day of the moon’s increasing phase in the month of Chaitra.
Dr. Saroj Bala, the director of the “Institute of Scientific Research on Vedas,” in her most recent book “Vigyan ki Jubani, Ramayan ki Kahani” cross checked these mentions. She used Planetarium software to create corresponding sky views after placing astronomical references from the Vedas and Epics in order. Open-source software and Stellarium were used to assess the accuracy of astronomical mentions in the Ramayana.
Researchers found that every piece of astronomical information, including the planetary and celestial positions stated in the Ramayana, were true.
When they entered the year, date, and time in accordance with the Ramayana’s description, they obtained the same results.
Ayodhya Airport Design-
Jyotiraditya Scindia, Minister of Civil Aviation, emphasized the significance of Ayodhya’s airport which reflects its historical and cultural essence. Whenever someone visits an airport he/she should be able to appreciate the historical significance of the city. Therefore, the airport in Ayodhya shouldn’t be just any other airport. We have attempted to integrate the culture of Ayodhya into its airport, stated Scindia.
While local artwork, paintings, and murals that portray Lord Ram’s life adorn the interior of the building. The façade of the structure mimics the architecture of the Ram temple. The mandapas’ progressive elevation and the Nagara style of temple architecture, which is popular in Northern India, influence the building’s design.
A massive, brass-adorned stepped shikar stands tall at the Ayodhya Airport’s main entrance. This architectural marvel welcomes travelers in a grand and culturally diverse manner, adhering to the Nagara style outlined by scriptures. Elaborate columns, each rich in symbolic meaning, tell the history and legacy of the city. These enormous columns that hold up the terminal roof represent the Kandas from the Ramayana, incorporating rich cultural elements into the architecture of the airport. The Deva Gana Patta, represents divine attributes, coexists with the Khandika, which represents impermanence.
Each column weaves the spirit of the city into the very fabric of the airport by telling a tale of devotion, bravery, and spirituality. The artistic immersion at the airport features murals with bows and arrows that represent the bravery to face lies, and hexagon-shaped light particles that represent the unwavering victory of truth.
In order to achieve the five-star GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) ratings, it is also contains a number of sustainable features, including an insulated roofing system, LED lighting, rainwater harvesting, fountain-themed landscaping, a water treatment plant, a sewage treatment plant, a solar power plant, and many other features.
The airport will not only increase connectivity but will also promote business, tourism, and employment opportunities. Overall, the airport is a showcasing of cultural heritage with modern infrastructure.