Ayodhya:  Separated by geographical boundaries, Ayodhya in India and Ayutthaya in Thailand share not just a name but also a deep connection rooted in faith. As Ayodhya gears up for the consecration of the Ram temple, a similar religious fervor is echoed 3,500 km away in the foreign land of Ayutthaya.

The Ayodhya temple trust has received soil from Ayutthaya, named after Ayodhya, and water from Thailand's three rivers for the Ram temple's consecration. Ayutthaya, nestled along the Chao Phraya River, is an ancient city and a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its rich cultural history.

Devotees in Ayutthaya are actively preparing to join the celebrations. Hindu temples in Ayutthaya and other cities in Thailand are installing large screens for the live telecast of the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony on January 22. The day will witness the lighting of diyas, enactment of the Ramayana, and the singing of Ram bhajans.

Ayutthaya, often referred to as the Ayodhya of Thailand, has a historical link to Hinduism and the Ramayana. The city was named after Ayodhya, showcasing the influence of the Ramayana on the region's culture. The Thai version of the epic, known as Ramakien, was adapted during the Ayutthaya Kingdom.

Founded in 1350, Ayutthaya was the second capital of the Siamese Kingdom. It flourished as a global urban center but was razed by the Burmese army in 1767. Today, Ayutthaya stands as an archaeological ruin, characterized by relics of prang and Buddhist monasteries, reflecting its past grandeur.

Eminent Sanskrit scholar Satya Vrat Shastri translated the Thai Ramakien into Sanskrit, highlighting the cultural exchange between the two regions. The connection goes beyond Lord Ram and Ayodhya, extending to festivals like Loy Krathong in Thailand, mirroring India's Kartik Poornima and Dev Deepawali celebrations.

The shared cultural and religious heritage between Ayodhya and Ayutthaya serves as a testament to the enduring bonds that transcend geographical distances. As both regions celebrate the consecration of the Ram temple, the echoes of devotion resonate in unison, symbolizing a unique connection between two lands united by faith.

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