Urmila Chaturvedi, 82, Has Waited 28 Years to Break Her Fast in Ayodhya

The Ram Mandir foundation stone-laying ceremony took place in Ayodhya earlier today. While it was a special day for millions of devotees around the world, it was a momentous occasion for Urmila Chaturvedi, a resident of Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh, who would be breaking her fast after 28 years.

28-year wait ends; Urmila Chaturvedi of Jabalpur to end her fast. | #RamBhumiPujan https://t.co/jDfbzxahwJ

— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) August 4, 2020

Urmila Chaturvedi, 82, had given up eating in 1992, when the disputed structure was demolished in Ayodhya. Upset by the violence, she had pledged that she would consume food only when the construction of the Ram mandir began. “I did not have a proper meal since the Babri Masjid demolition on December 6, 1992. I have only consumed fruits since then. Now, I want to go to Ayodhya to break the fast,” Urmila Chaturvedi said.

“I did not have a proper meal since the #BabriMasjid demolition on 6 December 1992. I have only consumed fruits since then… Now, I want to go to #Ayodhya to break the fast,” said Urmila Chaturvedi, an 82-year-old resident of Jabalpur.
Read here: https://t.co/qGbs6V5tD8 pic.twitter.com/tAouSbTD9q

— The Quint (@TheQuint) August 5, 2020

Chaturvedi has been surviving on fruits, curd, and milk for all these years. She would spend most of her time chanting prayers and reciting the Ramayana. She plans to go to Ayodhya with her family members after the bhoomi pujan ceremony and break her fast after taking a dip in the Sarayu river.

Her family members, who have been supportive of her through the years, want her to now regularise her meals. Her daughter-in-law Rekha said, “It has been 17-18 years that I came here. I have seen her only during this period. Earlier, she was completely self-dependent. She only consumed fruits and similar edibles. She was so full of energy. She never accepted any assistance from anyone for her daily chores. But, over the past three to four years, her body has grown weak.”

#Video | “I have only consumed fruits since then.”
Urmila Chaturvedi, an 82-year-old resident of Jabalpur has been fasting for the last 28 years, for one reason – to see a Ram Mandir built in #Ayodhya.https://t.co/9bbZlGwynT

— The Quint (@TheQuint) August 5, 2020

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan lauded her commitment and tweeted, “Lord Ram never disappoints his devotees whether she is mother Shabari of Treta Yuga or today’s mother Urmila! Mother, Blessed is your reverence! The whole Bharatvarsh (country) salutes you! Jai Siyaram!”

श्री रामचन्द्र कृपालु भजुमन हरण भवभय दारुणं।
नव कंज लोचन कंज मुख कर कंज पद कंजारुणं।

प्रभु श्रीराम कभी भक्तों को निराश नहीं करते हैं, फिर चाहे वह त्रेतायुग की शबरी माता हों या आज की मैया उर्मिला!

माता,धन्य है आपकी श्रद्धा! यह सम्पूर्ण भारतवर्ष आपको नमन करता है!

जय सियाराम! https://t.co/Abp8LO0mjv

— Shivraj Singh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) August 2, 2020

“I bow down in gratitude before this dedication and faith,” said a user on social media.

This is URMILA CHATURVEDI JI who is surviving only on fruits and milk since 23 years as she vowed not to eat grains till AYODHYA temple construction starts.
I BOW DOWN IN GRATITUTE BEFORE THIS DEDICATION AND FAITH
SHAAT SHAAT NAMAN.. pic.twitter.com/18mRPROPr0

— Sanatani Thakur (@SanggitaT) August 3, 2020

Sonam Mahajan also brought her story to light, and described it as, “Aastha, tyag and dharm.”

Urmila Chaturvedi, an 82-yr-old woman from Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh has been fasting from past 28 yrs for the construction of Ram Mandir.

The woman has been on fruits and milk for last 28 yrs and will break the fast after consuming prasada from Ram Mandir.

आस्था, त्याग, धर्म 🚩

— Sonam Mahajan (@AsYouNotWish) August 3, 2020

Urmila Chaturvedi’s wish is to spend the rest of her life in Ayodhya.