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Consecration of the Ram Mandir

The Prana pratishtha (consecration) ceremony of the Ram Mandir (ISO: Rāma Maṁdira Prāṇa Pratiṣṭhā) was held on 22 January 2024, in a traditional sacred ceremony, wherein priests recited mantras invoking the God Rama.[1] The Prana Pratishtha ceremony, that is considered to bring a presence of divinity, is an essential ritual before the inauguration of a Hindu temple.[2] The ceremony involved the pran pratishtha of the primary temple deity, Ram Lalla (childhood form of Rama), also known as Balak Ram, and subsequent opening of the temple for visitors.[3][4]

Rāma Maṁdira Prāṇa Pratiṣṭhā
Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Shree Ram Janmaboomi Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, on 22 January 2024
Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Shree Ram Janmaboomi Temple
Date22 January 2024
Time12:15 PM to 12:45 PM IST
Duration30 minutes
VenueRam Janmbhoomi
LocationRam Mandir, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh
Type
  • Religious
  • Consecration
Organised byShri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra
Filmed byDoordarshan
Participants

The temple stands in the ancient city of Ayodhya, which has also been a disputed site of the 16th-century Babri mosque which was destroyed in 1992.[5][6][7] The event was organized by Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra.[8]

Background and preparations

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See also: Ram Mandir

On 22 June 2023, Temple Construction Committee chairman Nripendra Misra announced that the ground floor of the three-story temple was complete and was expected to open for the devotees in January 2024.[9][10] The Ram Mandir Teerth Kshetra Trust announced that Hindu astrologers, according to Hindu Panchang, have selected 22 January 2024 as the auspicious date for the consecration ceremony.[9][11] In October 2023, the committee members formally invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to do the Prana Pratishtha of the newly made idol in the sanctum sanctorum.[12]

The trust along with the Government of Uttar Pradesh and city administration carried out extensive preparations to accommodate the large crowds of devotees and the influx of invited guests from all over the world.[13][14] The Government of Uttar Pradesh announced public holiday in the state and applied strict security measures in and around the temple premises.[15] The security in Ayodhya was increased due to the movement of VIPs.[16][17] The Government of India along with some state governments declared a half day holiday marking the event for its employees.[18]

Ramotsav

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In preparation for the Pran Pratishtha ceremony, the Government of Uttar Pradesh has earmarked ₹100 crore (US$13 million) for 'Ramotsav', a series of religious events spanning 826 local bodies across Uttar Pradesh and the Ram Paduka Yatra.[19] Commencing in December 2023, the events will culminate in grand celebrations from Makar Sankranti on 16 January 2024, until the inauguration of the Ram temple on 22 January.[20] The yatra will follow the Ram Van Gaman Path, retracing Rama's 14-year exile from Ayodhya.[21]

Public holiday on the day

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The Government of India has declared a half day holiday for this event for its employees. Several states such as Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Maharashtra, Assam, Tripura, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Jharkhand, and Gujarat had declared a public holiday for prana pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Mandir on 22 January.[22][23]

Consecration

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The Idol

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See also: Balak Ram
 
Ram Lalla's murthi after consecration

Out of the three idols prepared, the one prepared by sculptor Arun Yogiraj was selected to be placed in the sacred sanctum sanctorum.[24] After consecration, the deity shall be referred as Bālak Rām.

Consecration ceremony

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The consecration ceremony of Ram Mandir was completed by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi on 22 January 2024 from 12:15 PM to 12:45 PM IST.[25][26]

The trust invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to perform the rituals.[27] Modi was on a special 11-day fast ritual for the consecration at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. During this ritual, he consumed coconut water and fruits and slept on the ground at night.[28][29]

Prime Minister Modi urged every Indian to light up diyas to mark the occasion and celebrate it like Diwali.[30]

Attendees

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The ceremony saw attendance of people from all fields including actors, politicians, bureaucrats, businesspeople, spiritual leaders, athletes, etc.[31][32][33] The famous Ramayan TV series actors Arun Govil, Dipika Chikhlia and Sunil Lahri also participated in the event.[34]

Address of dignitaries

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The gathering of distinguished invitees was addressed by Chief Minister Adityanath, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat and Prime Minister Modi.[35] Each address, while distinct in its tone and focus, harmonized to create a powerful tapestry of faith, unity, and responsibility. Modi evoked a sense of historical significance, weaving references to ancient texts and past struggles with the present moment of triumph.[36] He spoke of Ram as a symbol of righteousness and unity.[37][38]

 
Prime Minister Modi during Prana Pratishtha

Beyond the religious significance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the temple's role in shaping a new India, one based on social harmony, economic prosperity, and scientific progress. He urged citizens to draw inspiration from Ram's ideals to build a strong and vibrant nation.

While Yogi Adityanath's address was steeped in religious fervor, celebrating the Ram Mandir as a victory for faith and perseverance. He praised the devotion of millions who contributed to the temple's construction and acknowledged the divine blessings that guided the process.[39][40]

RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat spoke of the Ram Mandir as a symbol of national pride, marking the revival of India's cultural heritage. He emphasized the importance of preserving ancient traditions and values in a rapidly modernizing world.[41][42][43]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Livemint (20 January 2024). "Ayodhya Ram Mandir: Date, aarti timings, darshan, and other details here". mint. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  2. ^ Waghorne, Joanne Punzo; Cutler, Norman; Narayanan, Vasudha (1996). Gods of Flesh, Gods of Stone: The Embodiment of Divinity in India. Columbia University Press. pp. 43–45. ISBN 978-0-231-10777-8.
  3. ^ "Ram Lalla idol sculptor Arun Yogiraj's first reaction after reaching Ayodhya". Hindustan Times. 22 January 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  4. ^ "Ram Lalla gave me the order, I just followed it' Arun Yogiraj on making the idol". India Today. 25 January 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  5. ^ Travelli, Alex; Kumar, Hari (22 January 2024). "Why India's New Ram Temple Is So Important". The New York Times. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  6. ^ Mogul, Rhea (20 January 2024). "A decades long Hindu nationalist dream is about to be achieved. What does this mean?". CNN. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  7. ^ Livemint (20 January 2024). "Ayodhya Ram Mandir: Date, aarti timings, darshan, and other details here". mint. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  8. ^ "Ram temple chief priest's strong reaction after Ram Lalla idol photo leaked online: 'Should be investigated'". Hindustan Times. 20 January 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  9. ^ a b Tak, Yashavi (22 June 2023). "Ayodhya: Construction Committee Announces To Open Ram Temple By 24 January 2024". News 24. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  10. ^ Pandey, Kirti (26 September 2023). "Ayodhya's Ram Mandir consecration ceremony likely on January 22 next year, PM Modi to attend ceremony". Times now. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  11. ^ "Ram Mandir consecration: Why was 22 January 2024 picked as date for ceremony". WION. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  12. ^ Parashar, Devendra; Sharma, Sheenu (26 October 2023). "Uttar Pradesh: Ram Temple Trust invites PM Modi to install Lord Ram idol in Ayodhya on Jan 22, 2024". India TV. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  13. ^ "Ayodhya Ram mandir inauguration 2 days away, here's all you need to know about the temple, the preparations". The Indian Express. 20 January 2024. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  14. ^ "Modi's promised Ram temple is set to open and resonate with Hindus ahead of India's election". AP News. 17 January 2024. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  15. ^ "3-layered security cordon to guard Ayodhya temple". The Times of India. 20 January 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  16. ^ ANI (16 December 2023). "Security arrangements increased in Ayodhya ahead of 'Pran Pratishtha' of Ram Mandir". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  17. ^ "Morning brief: Security beefs up ahead of Ram Temple event, Pak-Iran tensions, and more". WION. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  18. ^ "Ram Mandir Inauguration: These states have declared a holiday on Jan 22, check full list". The Times of India. 20 January 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  19. ^ "Ramotsav 2024: U.P. govt to hold contests to instill Lord Ram ideals in school children". Hindustan Times. 7 December 2023.
  20. ^ "Ramotsav 2024: Uttar Pradesh govt to run electric bus in Ayodhya". Mint. 9 January 2024.
  21. ^ "Ramotsav 2024: UP govt to run electric buses on Ram Path, Dharma Path for tourists and pilgrims in Ayodhya". India TV. 9 January 2024.
  22. ^ Livemint (19 January 2024). "Ayodhya Ram Mandir: These states declared a holiday or half day on January 22". mint. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  23. ^ Kulkarni, Sneha (22 January 2024). "Ram Mandir Inauguration Holiday: list of states which have declared Jan 22 as holiday; are banks closed?". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  24. ^ "'Dream, Luckiest Person': Ram Lalla Sculptor Arun Yogiraj after 'Pran Pratishtha'". India Today. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  25. ^ Sharma, Mahima (22 January 2024). "Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha Puja Time and Abhijeet Muhurat on January 22, 2024: Know its details". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  26. ^ Mashal, Mujib; Kumar, Hari; Loke, Atul (22 January 2024). "Modi Opens a Giant Temple, a Triumph Toward a Hindu-First India". The New York Times. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  27. ^ "PM Narendra Modi to follow 'sattvic diet', sleep on the floor, before consecration of Ram Mandir". The Economic Times. 18 January 2024. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  28. ^ "PM Modi Breaks His 11-Day Fast After 'Pran Pratishtha' Ceremony at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya". Lokmat Times. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  29. ^ "Sleeping on floor, drinking only coconut water: PM Modi's 'Anushthaan' for Pran Pratishtha explained". The Times of India. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  30. ^ "Celebrate Diwali across country on January 22, on the day of Ram temple ceremony: PM Modi at Ayodhya". The Indian Express. 30 December 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  31. ^ "Ayodhya Ram Mandir LIVE Updates: Priests perform consecration rituals at temple on Day 5". India TV. 20 January 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  32. ^ "Ayodhya Ram Mandir Guest List: Ambanis, Bachchan And More". ABP Live. 19 January 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  33. ^ "Ram Mandir Consecration Live". WION. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  34. ^ "Ramayan stars Arun Govil, Sunil Lahiri, Deepika Chikhalia to attend Ayodhya Ram temple inauguration". Hindustan Times. 17 January 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  35. ^ https://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/news_updates/pms-address-at-the-pran-pratishtha-of-shree-ram-lalla-at-ayodhya-ji/?tag_term=pmspeech&comment=disable
  36. ^ "From forgiveness to dawn of new era: 16 themes from PM Modi's Ayodhya speech". The Times of India. 22 January 2024.
  37. ^ "Lord Ram is 'not a problem but...': 10 things PM Modi said in Ayodhya today". mint. 22 January 2024.
  38. ^ "'Ram Lalla will not stay in a tent now': PM Modi's speech in Ayodhya | Top quotes". Hindustan Times. 22 January 2024.
  39. ^ "In Yogi Adityanath's Ram Temple Speech, A Veiled Swipe At Mulayam Yadav". NDTV.com.
  40. ^ "'Mandir Wahin Bana Hai...': Yogi Adityanath After Conclusion Of 'Pran Pratishtha'". TimesNow. 22 January 2024.
  41. ^ Mishra, Ishita (22 January 2024). "Stop fighting over petty issues and stay united, says RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
  42. ^ "Ram Rajya coming, end disputes, take everyone along: RSS chief Bhagwat". 22 January 2024.
  43. ^ "RSS' Mohan Bhagwat At Ayodhya, "Ram Rajya Is Coming, Shun All Disputes And Stay United"". Business Today. 23 January 2024.
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