Ayodhya  April 13, 2014: The festival of Ram Navami, which marks the birth of Lord Ram, was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety in the temple town of Ayodhya -- his birth place.

Lakhs of devotees thronged the tastefully decorated temples and offered prayers to mark the occasion. 

According to Sub Divisional Magistrate and mela in-charge Dr Arvind Kumar, an estimated 25 lakh devotees performed the holy bathing ritual and paid obeisance at the temples. 

A sea of worshippers took a dip in the Saryu river and visited various temples. The renowned Kanak Bhawan, Hanumangari and Nageshwar Nath temples witnessed a huge rush, he informed. 
 

The annual fair was also organised on the banks of the river. 

Special prayers were offered at mid-day, when Lord Ram is supposed to have been born. 

Stringent security arrangements were also made on the occasion.