Amitabh Bachchan Invests INR 14.5 Crore in Ayodhya Plot Ahead of Ram Mandir ‘Pran Prathista’ Ceremony
Written by Sanjay Kumar
In a significant move, legendary Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan has acquired a plot in Ayodhya for ₹14.5 crore, where he plans to build a residence ahead of the much-anticipated Ram Mandir ‘Pran Prathista’ ceremony. Born in Allahabad, now known as Prayagraj, Bachchan chose The Sarayu, a 7-star mixed-use enclave in Ayodhya, developed by Mumbai-based firm The House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL), for his new investment, as reported by Hindustan Times.
The transaction, detailed by insiders familiar with the deal between HoABL and Bachchan, reveals that the actor intends to construct a 10,000 square feet home with an estimated value of ₹14.5 crore. The Sarayu, sprawling over 51 acres, is scheduled for inauguration on January 22, coinciding with the Ram Mandir ‘Pran Prathista’ ceremony, to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Expressing his excitement about the project, Bachchan stated, “I am looking forward to embark on this journey with The House of Abhinandan Lodha for The Sarayu in Ayodhya, a city that holds a special place in my heart.” The Sarayu is designed to seamlessly blend tradition and modernity, capturing the spiritual and cultural richness of Ayodhya.
Ram Mandir
- Completed: 22 January 2024; 7 days’ time
- Status: Under construction
- Location: Ram Janmabhoomi, Ayodhya
- Temple(s): 1 central temple with 6 more joined around it as one temple complex
- Height (max): 161 feet (49 m)
- Style: Nagara style
- Architect: Chandrakant Sompura
The Sarayu is strategically located about 15 minutes away from the Ram Temple and approximately 30 minutes from the Ayodhya International Airport. Abhinandan Lodha, Chairman of HoABL, described Bachchan as the “first citizen” of The Sarayu, marking a “milestone moment” for the company. The development includes a plotted enclave and a five-star palace hotel in collaboration with Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, a subsidiary of the Brookfield group. The entire project is anticipated to be completed by March 2028.
Ayodhya has experienced substantial infrastructure development since 2019 when the Supreme Court awarded the site that housed the Babri Masjid to the Hindus. This decision led to a surge in land prices within Ayodhya and its outskirts, particularly towards Lucknow and Gorakhpur. Amitabh Bachchan’s investment adds to the growing interest in Ayodhya as a hub for real estate development and spiritual tourism.
