Miss Universe India, Rhea Sinha, recently took the stage as Sita Devi during the Ram Leela held in Ayodhya. Drawing inspiration from the stories her grandmother shared, she expressed a deep connection to the character. “I grew up listening to Ramayana stories from my grandmother,” Rhea stated. “When I came to Ayodhya, I felt a magical experience and a positive energy inside me.”
The Ram Leela depicts the epic narrative of the Ramayana, highlighting Lord Rama’s 14-year exile with his brother Lakshmana and wife Sita Devi. Grateful for the opportunity to embody Sita, Rhea emphasized that the role requires feelings of peace and devotion.
Originally from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Rhea developed a passion for performance from a young age. Although she started off shy, confidence blossomed through her participation in various art programs during her school years. At 16, she entered the modeling industry and won the title of Miss Teen Gujarat. In 2023, her journey continued on the international stage, where she reached the top six in the Miss Teen Universe competition in Madrid and secured the Miss Teen Earth title.
In conjunction with the Navaratri festival, the Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has organized extensive celebrations in Ayodhya. To honor the religious significance of the occasion, officials implemented a ban on the sale of meat and restricted liquor sales during the nine-day festival.
Under the Food Safety and Standards Act-2006, authorities will prohibit the sale of meat throughout Ayodhya, enforcing strict measures against violators. Furthermore, they will limit liquor sales, especially near religious sites, and take stringent action against illegal or spurious liquor sales.
The safety and comfort of devotees remain a top priority for officials, who also focus on maintaining cleanliness in temple areas. Thus, this initiative aims to foster a peaceful atmosphere during the festive season, addressing community concerns about preserving the sanctity of the festival. Consequently, these measures have garnered support from religious communities and devotees, who view them as essential for maintaining the spiritual integrity of the celebrations.