A massive crowd thronged the entrance of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya Tuesday morning, keeping the security agencies and the temple management busy.

While the administration had expected a large gathering on Tuesday following the consecration ceremony led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, the pilgrims started arriving at the gates around 3 am. By 6 am, the Ram Janmabhoomi Path leading to the temple was full of pilgrims trying to push their way inside.

Officials said the time to open the temple gates after the morning rituals was 7 am, but a huge crowd had already assembled. Sources said additional force was called in to manage the crowd before the gates were opened for 'darshan'.

Sources said another problem faced by the authorities was that the pilgrims were unaware that they were not allowed to carry bags or mobile phones inside. Even after reaching the gates, many reportedly had to return to keep their belongings elsewhere. Devotees were also seen taking a holy dip at the Saryu Ghat.

Officials said the 'darshan' was scheduled to close around 11 am after the 'Madhya Arti' ritual and would open again around 2 pm and continue till 7 pm.

After the ‘pran pratishtha’ ceremony led by PM Modi, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra chief priest Acharya Satyendra Das had earlier said that the Ram Lalla idol's 'darshan' would begin on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, PM Modi shared visuals from the consecration ceremony on X and said, “What we saw in Ayodhya yesterday, 22nd January, will be etched in our memories for years to come.”

(With inputs from agencies)