A Poetic Tribute in the Holy City: Amitabh Bachchan Plans 20-Room Dharamshala in Ayodhya Honouring Father Harivansh Rai Bachchan

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan is set to create a lasting public tribute to his father, the legendary Hindi poet and Padma Bhushan recipient Dr. Harivansh Rai Bachchan, in Ayodhya. The veteran actor has submitted a formal building proposal to the Ayodhya Development Authority (ADA) to construct a dedicated, 20-room dharamshala designed to host pilgrims and devotees visiting the holy city. The proposed memorial dharamshala will come up on a prime land parcel measuring approximately 54,000 square feet, acquired by the Harivansh Rai Bachchan Memorial Trust for an estimated ₹15 crore. The plot is situated within ‘The Sarayu’; a luxury plotted development by the House of Abhinandan Lodha along the upcoming Dashrath Path.

More than 20 organized rooms are curated to offer comfortable, low-cost lodging for travelers arriving from distant parts of the country. A dedicated community hall inside the complex will showcase Dr. Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s iconic literary legacy, displaying rare editions of his poetry, including his magnum opus Madhushala alongside photo retrospectives and posters chronicling his life and philosophical contributions.

Confirming the submission, Ayodhya Development Authority Vice Chairman Anurag Jain stated that prominent figures across India have stepped forward to contribute to Ayodhya’s infrastructural and cultural growth. As part of the statutory urban planning protocol, the ADA has published the proposed layout in public notices, inviting objections and suggestions over a standard 15-day window. Once this scrutiny period concludes and statutory clearances are secured, construction on the dharamshala is expected to commence by October.

Amitabh Bachchan’s deep reverence for his father’s work has remained a defining thread of his personal and public life. Dr. Harivansh Rai Bachchan, known for immortal works that blended introspective humanism with classical meter, held deep spiritual and philosophical ties to Indian culture. By dedicating this dharamshala to his memory, the project bridges personal filial devotion with civic utility; turning prime real estate into a community haven that serves arriving pilgrims while celebrating one of modern Hindi literature's greatest voices.