Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and many MLAs of the incumbent NDA dispensation in Maharashtra today visited Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.

The highlight of their trip was their visit to the Shri Rama Janmabhoomi temple currently under construction.

After having obtained darshan of Shri Ram Lalla, CM Fadnavis said: "Everyone used to wonder when the construction work [of the temple] would start. Some used to say 'mandir wahin banayenge, par tarikh nahi batayenge' (the temple will be built there, but the dates will not be told). But Prime Minister Narendra Modi has got the work started and the dream of crores of Ram bhakts is being fulfilled.... Those asking for the dates have also been shown their way home".

He also added at a press conference later: "Our party's role is clear. The Shiv Sena has an alliance with the BJP. Our ideology, which is Hindutva, is the same. We will go to our state with new energy from Ayodhya and serve the people. In 2024, the Shiv Sena and the BJP's 'bhagva' (saffron flag) will be unfurled in the entire state"

Deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis tweeted about the moment they got the darshan of Shri Ram Lalla, saying: "Goosebumps. That moment, when the dream came true and got Prabhu Shri Ram’s darshan at the divine Ram Janmabhoomi in #Ayodhya."

The Shri Rama Janmabhoomi temple, currently under construction, is expected to be inaugurated in January 2024.