The Ayodhya railway station, which is located in the Faizabad district of Uttar Pradesh, has been renamed as Ayodhya Dham Junction by the state government. The decision was taken by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who also approved the change of name by the central government. The new name reflects the historical and religious significance of Ayodhya, which is considered as the birthplace of Lord Rama, one of the most revered deities in Hinduism.
The renaming of the railway station is part of a series of initiatives taken by the Yogi Adityanath government to rename cities, stations and public places in Uttar Pradesh after Hindu history and culture. In November 2018, the state cabinet had cleared the proposal to rename both Faizabad district and division as Ayodhya. In October 2021, the state government also decided to rename Allahabad division as Prayagraj and Mughalsarai railway station as Deen Dayal Upadhyaya station.
The renaming of Ayodhya railway station has been welcomed by many people who believe that it will boost tourism and pilgrimage in the region. The station has also been given a new look with a temple-like design and a statue of Lord Rama at its entrance. The station has been equipped with modern facilities such as escalators, lifts, CCTV cameras and Wi-Fi connectivity.
The renaming of Ayodhya railway station is expected to attract more passengers and generate more revenue for the railways. It is also seen as a symbolic gesture to assert the cultural identity and pride of Uttar Pradesh in its rich heritage and diversity.
