A day after the Supreme Court's (SC) historic judgment in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute case, the banks of River Saryu, which flows through the city of Ayodhya, was buzzing with activity. While long queues formed outside the Ram Janmabhoomi as devotees thronged the temple, celebrations of Eid-e-Milad remained muted. Celebrations that had been planned were called off after the Supreme Court announced its verdict on Saturday.

At the same time, there was also a sense of calm and serenity. At 8 am on Sunday, a group of five women sat singing on the steps of the ghat bordering the river, singing "Sia Ram, Jai Jai Ram" in unison, while a little distance away, sadhus draped in saffron, offered prayers in waist-deep water.
Boatmen, who make a living by ferrying people across the Saryu and taking tourists on boat rides, pushed out their docked boats. According to local folklore, Ram, after killing Ravana, threw a lavish feast across the Saryu, or Saryu par, as it is said in Ayodhya. Further up the river's banks, one could see children playing in the greyish water.