Amid inauguration of Ram Temple in Ayodhya has ignited a religious mood in the country.

Vadapalani resident K S Jeyaganeshan, an advocate, and his family, who usually went to hill stations or beach towns for the summer holidays, are now eyeing Ayodhya.

Ritu and her family from Faridabad, who normally choose the backwaters of Kerala or Goa for the vacations, now plan to visit Rameswaram and Ram temples in Kerala.

Travel agents say inquiries from the north have spi ked for places associated with Lord Ram such as Rameswaram, Hampi and Lepakshi, while many families in the south,particularly Chennai, appear keen on Ayodhya, clubbing it with Varanasi and Gaya. However, in both these places there is an urgent need to improve hotels and infrastructure.

Jeyaganeshan, a senior panel counsel at Madras high court, said his family along with two others was planning a trip to Ayodhya. "More than a religious place, it speaks about our culture and civilization. This renewed interest in places associated with Ram will serve as a bridge between the South and Northern parts of the country."

The birthplace of Ram was never a big destination for people from the south, with most visitors, mostly the elderly, choosing Varanasi for religious trips.

Now, enquiries for packages to Ayodhya are increasing everyday and many have already left on tours," said Sriharan Balan, managing director of Madura Travel Service Pvt Ltd and chairman, travel and tourism, Southern Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as reported by TOI.

G Raveendran, president of Travel Club Madurai, too has been getting a lot of enquiries but has advised people to travel later this month or early in February.

"People of all age groups are asking for packages."

Faridabad-based Ritu didn't know about temples in Andhra Pradesh associated with Ramayana. "It is only now we stumbled about the Ramayana trails. This holiday we have planned a trip to these places," she said.