KFC welcome to operate near Ayodhya's Ram temple with vegetarian menu

Days after Ram Temple's consecration, food and hospitality businesses are happy with the influx of huge numbers of customers, tourists and locals, who are flooding the temple town of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh to get a glimpse of the revered Hindu deity.

Restaurant chains Domino's and Pizza Hut are content with the business numbers at their Ayodhya outlets, despite having removed meat from their menu.

Notably, Ayodhya does not permit serving liquor and meat within its defined 'Panch Kosi Marg.' This area is a 15 km pilgrimage circuit around the temple town and leads to sacred sites linked to the Hindu epic 'Ramayana'.

The outlets which wish to conduct business of serving non-vegetarian food options have to operate outside this area.

KFC can operate with vegetarian menu

American fast food chain KFC, which specialises in fried chicken and offers a range of food options, currently operates on the Ayodhya-Lucknow highway. "KFC has set up its unit at Ayodhya-Lucknow highway because we do not allow non-vegetarian food items here. We are ready to provide even KFC a space if it decides to sell only vegetarian items," an official told Moneycontrol.

'Ram Path' is among stretches of revamped roads in Ayodhya, dedicated to facilitating smooth visit to the Ram temple. The other such three roads are - 'Dharma Path', 'Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Path' and 'Bhakti Path'.

Grand consecration ceremony

The Ram temple was officially consecrated in a grand ceremony on January 22, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi presiding over the rituals. The event witnessed the participation of nearly 8,000 guests, including prominent industrialists, celebrities and public figures.

The temple's inauguration and the Centre's emphasis on developing the town as a religious tourism destination are expected to give a massive boost to the city's real estate sector.

(With inputs rom agencies)