Casinos in Goa have voluntarily chosen to stop their gaming operations in reverence of the grand opening of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The decision to halt activities has been made for a specific time frame, with casinos closing their doors between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm on January 22.

This move aligns with the BJP-led state government’s announcement of a public holiday, prompting the closure of government offices and schools on the specified day. India Today reported that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant issued the order for this public holiday, mirroring similar directives in BJP-ruled states like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, where a full-day state holiday is observed on January 22.

Several states, inspired by the momentous occasion in Ayodhya, have gone further to impose additional restrictions. Tripura and Delhi have declared a closure of all offices and educational institutions until 2:30 pm on January 22.

At the national level, the Centre has declared a half-day for all its offices and PSU banks in honour of the mega-event. According to a notification from the Finance Ministry, central government offices, institutions, and industrial establishments will remain closed until 2:30 pm on January 22, resuming operations at the designated time. However, private sector banks will remain open, following the Reserve Bank of India’s holiday list, considering it a regular working day.

While casinos in Goa take this voluntary step, preparations for the grand event in Ayodhya are underway. Commencing on January 16, various ceremonies are unfolding, with the installation of the Ram Lalla idol inside the sanctum sanctorum as part of the rituals leading up to the consecration ceremony of the Ram Mandir.