Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh) [India], March 21 (ANI): Asserting that three of his generations were dedicated to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi movement, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said that there would be no problem if he had to lose power for Ram Mandir.

Speaking at the Timeless Ayodhya: Literature and Arts Festival, CM Yogi said, 'Though three of my generations were dedicated to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi movement, I had no problem (in visiting Ayodhya). However, the government system is gripped by bureaucracy, and there was a huge section in that bureaucracy that used to say that visiting Ayodhya as a CM would lead to controversy. I said that let a controversy take place if it has to. But we need to think about Ayodhya. Then, there was another section which said that if I visited there, there would be talks about Ram Mandir. I asked if I had come here for power. There is no problem, even if I have to lose power for Ram Mandir.'

The Uttar Pradesh CM further mentioned Deepotsav and said that today, it has become a festival in Ayodhya.

'I told Awanish Awasthi to go there quietly and see how Deepotsav can be organised there. He came here (Ayodhya), conducted a survey and said that Deepotsav should indeed be organised...Now, Deepotsav, ahead of Diwali, has become like a festival). Deepotsav of Ayodhya has become a festival of Ayodhya, a society, a festival. In large numbers, people come here to take part in Deepotsav,' he added.

He further thanked PM Narendra Modi and said that the PM's vision of Virasat and Vikaas had made it possible for the faithful to visit the Shri Ram Mandir.

'Lakhs and Lakhs of devotees arrives at Ayodhya today, earlier people wanted to come here but due to the lack of leadership people do not come. We are thankful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi who combined Virasat and Vikaas toegther,' the UP CM said.

The Uttar Pradesh CM said that Ayodhya is one of the bases of India's Sanatan land.

'From the long time, it has been the inspiration for Sanatana Dharm.... Ayodhya is the very first land of culture. In this same Ayodhya, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Lord Ram was born. The event being organised on the land of Lord Ram is wonderful,' the UP CM said.

CM Adityanath participated in the 'Timeless Ayodhya: Literature and Arts Festival', which was organised in Ayodhya. (ANI)