The Union Cabinet declared Ayodhya Airport an international airport on 5 January 2024. Also, the proposal to name it "Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhyadham" from now on has been approved.
Reasons for getting international airport status:
- Ayodhya's increasing economic potential
- Growing importance as a global pilgrimage site
- Increasing number of foreign pilgrims and tourists coming to Ayodhya
- Along with this, Ayodhya Airport has been given the status of international airport for many other reasons.
Named ‘Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhyadham’:
- The name of Ayodhya Airport, "Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhyadham", pays tribute to Maharishi Valmiki, who composed the epic Ramayana. This name has also added a cultural element to the airport's identity.
Cultural importance of Ayodhya:
- The cultural importance of this place starts with Lord Shri Ram. With its deep cultural roots, Ayodhya is strategically positioned to become a major economic hub and pilgrimage site.
- The airport's ability to attract international pilgrims and businesses aligns with the city's historical reputation.
Cultural Heritage of Ayodhya:
- The cultural heritage of Ayodhya begins with the Suryavanshi kings. Till now, Ayodhya has been under the Faizabad district. However, the Uttar Pradesh government decided to change the name of Faizabad to Ayodhya in 2018.
- Faizabad was the first capital of Awadh, whose foundation was laid by the Nawabs. Nawab Saadat Khan Burhan ul Mulk established the city here in 1722. Saadat Khan's successors gave Faizabad its complete form. Due to this, Faizabad was called the city of Nawabs, while Ayodhya developed as a religious city.
- Due to the construction of various types of gardens by many Nawabs in Ayodhya, it was also called the City of Gardens. For example, Gulabbari, Motibari, Mahalbagh, etc., reflected the culture of the Nawabs.
- The culture of handwriting, zardozi, handicrafts, music and poetry recitation started in Ayodhya. But everyone went there when the Nawab changed his capital from Faizabad to Lucknow.
- Despite all this, Ayodhya remained religious, and inclined towards the Vaishnav Bhakti branch.