Lucknow: Actor Amitabh Bachchan is planning a 20-room dharamshala in Ayodhya in memory of his father, renowned poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan. It will be built along the upcoming Dashrath Path on land purchased by the Harivansh Rai Bachchan Memorial Trust for approximately Rs 15 crore.
Officials said the building plan has been submitted to the Ayodhya Development Authority (ADA) for approval. ADA vice-chairman Anurag Jain told ThePrint, “Several eminent people from across the country have contributed to the development of Ayodhya. In the same spirit, Amitabh Bachchan has also applied for approval of a building plan for a dharamshala.”
As part of the approval process, objections have been invited through newspaper advertisements, with a 15-day window for filing them. “Once the prescribed time period is over, the proposal will be examined and approval will be granted in accordance with the rules,” Jain said.
The facility is intended to accommodate pilgrims travelling to Ayodhya from distant parts of the country. It will have a hall displaying books of Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s poetry and posters showcasing his life and work, a source said.
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Ranbir Kapoor also purchased land in Ayodhya
According to ADA officials, the Harivansh Rai Bachchan Memorial Trust purchased a land parcel measuring around 54,000 sq ft at The Sarayu, a 75-acre premium plotted development by the Abhinandan Lodha Group for approximately Rs 15 crore in 2024. Bachchan’s purchase of land in Ayodhya after construction of the Ram temple began attracted considerable attention at the time.
Actor Ranbir Kapoor also purchased a 2,134 sq ft plot at The Sarayu for Rs 3.31 crore. In an earlier statement, Kapoor had said he believed “Ayodhya has chosen me”. He described the city as an integral part of India’s cultural and historical heritage and said the investment would become part of his family’s legacy.
The Sarayu, which is being developed along the Dasrath Path, will feature a grand clubhouse, more than 35 lifestyle amenities and a five-acre luxury vegetarian hotel to be operated by The Leela Hotels.
The residential project is located near an NTPC solar power plant. A 4,200-metre-long bridge over the Saryu is also being constructed near the plant as part of a 67-km ring road project. Work on the bridge is currently stalled due to rising water levels in the river. The proposed ring road is expected to connect Ayodhya with neighbouring Basti and Gonda districts.
The four-lane Dashrath Path is being constructed parallel to the Ayodhya-Bilwahri ghat embankment along the Saryu. The road, which will connect Ayodhya with the site associated with Dashrath’s samadhi, is nearing completion.
Recently, approval was granted for the construction of 21 monasteries, nine hotels and guest houses of four states in Ayodhya. Officials said the necessary road infrastructure has been completed, with construction work set to begin soon.
ThePrint attempted to reach Bachchan’s public relations team for a comment. This report will be updated if and when a response is received.
(Edited by Chingkheinganbi Mayengbam)
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