All casinos in Goa will close for eight hours beginning at 8 a.m. on Monday to honour the dedication of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, according to an official from a casino management business on Sunday, news agency PTI reported. There are six offshore casinos and many onshore casinos in Goa. The offshore casino vessels are anchored in the Mandovi River, near the state capital Panaji.
All casinos will close on Monday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to Shrinivas Nayak, director of the Majestic Pride group, which manages several of these casinos.
"When everyone is keeping their businesses closed and holidays have been declared to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime event, why should we not do it," he was quoted as saying by PTI in its report.
The Goa government has already proclaimed a holiday for all government, semi-government, and autonomous organisations on Monday to commemorate the dedication of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.
To commemorate the grand event in Ayodhya, a few state governments have also implemented prohibitions, such as banning the sale of spirits, meat and fish. Meanwhile, throughout Tripura and Delhi, all offices and educational institutions would be closed till 2:30 p.m. on January 22.
The Centre has also declared a half-day for all its offices and PSU banks to commemorate the mega-event. The Finance Ministry issued a statement indicating that all central government offices, institutions, and industrial units will be closed until 2:30 p.m. on January 22. According to the official circular, working hours will resume at 2:30 p.m. on the designated day.
Private sector banks will stay open as per the Reserve Bank of India's holiday schedule, making it a working day.
In Ayodhya, however, preparations are in full flow, with festivities beginning on January 16. Notably, the Ram Lalla deity has been put within the sanctum sanctorum as part of the rites before the consecration ceremony at Ram Mandir.