Uddhav Thackeray offers prayer at Ram Lalla temple

AYODHYA: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray offered prayers at Ram Lalla temple in Ayodhya on Sunday morning.

The Shiv Sena chief arrived in Ayodhya along with his family on Saturday afternoon for two-day visit. He later offered prayers at the Sarayu river along with his wife Rashmi and son Aditya and addressed a gathering.

During his public address, Thackeray asked the central government to announce the date for the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya. "We want the date when the temple will be made. First, tell us when you will make the temple, then we can talk on other things. Today I want the date. I don't want to take credit for the construction of Ram temple, we want a date," he had said.

Ayodhya is set to witness two separate mega events today being organised by the Shiv Sena and the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) in Ayodhya to press for the construction of a Lord Ram temple. The VHP's event, called as "Dharma Sansad" would be congregation of saints and supporters of the Ram temple.

Meanwhile, security has been heightened in Ayodhya with thousands of police and paramilitary personnel keeping a strict watch to keep the situation under control.

"We have made all the arrangements for the VHP’s 'Dharma Sansad' programme. We have allotted spaces for parking and bypass is running smoothly. We will ensure it stays like that. ‘Darshan’ will be from the usual routes. We will do everything in an organised way," Ayodhya deputy inspector general of police , Omkar Singh said.