Devotion, anticipation in air as all eyes turn to Ayodhya

BENGALURU: There was a tint of saffron to Bengaluru's skyline on Sunday, the eve of the Ram idol consecration in Ayodhya. With the Ram temple firing the imagination across the country, many Bengalureans did not wish to be left behind as they got ready for the big day.
Many IT professionals, characteristic of Bengaluru's image of being a tech-driven city, decided to take an off on Monday - working on Sunday to compensate for the day's work - to watch the live telecast from Ayodhya.
Vivek Sharma, a 25-year-old techie from Whitefield, worked on Sunday, which was unusual for him, to get his leave approved for Monday. "I'm lucky to witness this, even on the live telecast. I want to celebrate this moment as a festival with my family. While we didn't get a holiday, many of my co-workers are working today to compensate for Monday's leave."
Migrant labourers across the city also worked extra this weekend. Subramaniam, a worker at a construction site in south Bengaluru, said, "We are avid devotees of Lord Ram, and while we can't go to Ayodhya, we'll do puja at home to celebrate this occasion. Lord Ram has finally returned and we can't wait for the moment."
Hotels and restaurants affiliated to Bruhat Bangalore Hotels Association (BBHA) said they'd decorate their outlets with the theme of the temple. "The entire country is gearing up to celebrate this auspicious occasion. Some hotels and sweet shops in the city will decorate their shops and perform pooja according to the occasion and distribute prasadam," stated BBHA president PC Rao.
Saffron flags fluttered on the city's skyline and posters of Lord Ram were put up at most of the important junctions. Many apartment societies prominently sported Ram posters.
D Shashi Kumar, general secretary of the Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools, said in a public video that schools compelling their students to attend classes on Monday were in the wrong.