LUCKNOW, Feb. 18 -- In a move that signals a shift towards organised spiritual tourism, the Uttar Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation (UPSTDC) has launched the 'Sugam Darshan' tour package - a structured, single-day pilgrimage from Lucknow that promises devotees a smoother, queue-free visit to Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra in Ayodhya through a tempo traveller. The initiative, developed in coordination with the Ayodhya district administration, is designed to streamline the pilgrimage experience through pre-arranged access, guided assistance, and coordinated temple visits, effectively minimising waiting time for darshan of Ram Lalla. After welcoming over 29 crore visitors in 2025, Ayodhya has witnessed unprecedented crowds at the Ram temple. "With the rising number of devotees, our priority is to ensure that every pilgrim experiences comfort and fulfilment. 'Sugam Darshan' is about making faith journeys organised, accessible and dignified," said an official of the tourism department. The day-long journey begins at 8:00 am from a hotel in Lucknow and reaching Ayodhya by 10:30 am. The itinerary includes darshan at Hanuman Garhi, Ram Janmabhoomi and Kanak Bhawan, followed by lunch at Saryu guest house. Post-lunch visits include the Saryu riverfront (Ram Ki Paidi) and Nageshwar Nath temple before returning to Lucknow by approximately 8:30 pm. The package includes transportation by tempo traveller, local guide assistance, drinking water, evening tea, and a souvenir. Pricing has been kept accessible at Rs.1,500 for senior citizens and Rs.2,000 for other travellers. Bookings are available through the official UPSTDC website. Officials say the initiative is part of a larger plan to institutionalise pilgrimage management across Uttar Pradesh. The officials highlighted the upcoming 52-acre temple museum project in Ayodhya, intended to enrich visitors' understanding of temple traditions and heritage. UPSTDC already operates several curated circuits, including the double-decker Lucknow Darshan bus and tours to Naimisharanya, Varanasi-Prayagraj, and Dudhwa. More packages - including visits linked to Neem Karori Baba - are in the pipeline....