The long-awaited consecration ceremony, known as Pran Pratishtha, has begun for the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. After decades of legal disputes and delays, the temple is finally ready for its spiritual awakening.
Schedule of Week-Long Events
The Pran Pratishtha rituals started on January 16 and will continue until January 22. As per the schedule released by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, the ceremonies involve purification rituals, installation of deities, and concluding celebrations.
Some key events are:
- January 16: Gauri Ganesh temple purification and installation of a temporary statue of Lord Ganesh
- January 18: Purification rituals for the Ram Mandir grounds
- January 20: Ritual bath and placement of the idols of Ram Lalla in the sanctum sanctorum
- January 22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend culmination event along with chief guests
“We have made arrangements for the devotees to watch the ceremonies live on giant screens that will be installed outside the premises,” said trust secretary Champat Rai.
PM Modi Observes Spiritual Preparations
In the run-up to the Pran Pratishtha, Prime Minister Modi has embarked on an 11-day fast and spiritual cleansing process. PM Modi is staying near the Panchvati area of Nashik and strictly observing various sattvic Hindu rituals.
“By following rigorous spiritual practices, the Prime Minister is setting an ideal example. His penance will surely benefit the entire nation,” said Mahant Raju Das of Hanumangarhi temple. Other Hindu religious figures also praised Modi’s spiritual commitment and urged citizens to pray for the smooth functioning of the rituals.
Architectural Marvel in Making
The temple has been built according to ancient Hindu architectural principles called the Nagara style. Larsen & Toubro, the firm executing the construction, has ensured world-class facilities while preserving the sanctity.
Some salient features are:
- Total built-up area of 2.7 lakh sq ft distributed over two floors
- Sanctum sanctorum houses idols of Ram Lalla, Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman
- Advanced AI integrated surveillance system with facial recognition tech
- A grand museum to showcase history of the temple dispute
“My team has paid attention to every small detail in the drawings to turn this into a architectural marvel,” said chief architect Chandrakant Sompura. The intricacies can be seen in new pictures from inside the temple.
Security Beefed Up
With lakhs of devotees from India and abroad set to attend the event, elaborate security arrangements are in place. These include:
- 10,000 CCTV cameras with facial recognition systems
- Drone monitoring of crowds
- Restricted entry points with baggage scanning
- Deployment of Indian Navy divers in Saryu river
- Multi-layer barricading across Ayodhya district
“We have factored different threat scenarios. I can assure foolproof protection for every person present,” stated a senior security official. Checking of guests and invitees holding special passes is being done manually as well as through artificial intelligence.
Unfinished Temple to be Consecrated?
While arrangements are in full swing for the Pran Pratishtha next week, some technical questions are also being raised.
As per Hindu practices, consecration rituals involve the invocation of deities into idols before they are installed. However, carving work on the main idol is still underway.
“How is the unfinished idol being consecrated if the eyes, nose and other features are yet to be carved?” asked sanskrit scholar Ram Sharan.
He pointed out that traditionally, the Pran Pratishtha marks the completion of temple construction. Other scholars have countered saying symbolic consecration does not require 100% finish. [Source]
The trust and priestly authorities are confident that procedures are being correctly followed under guidance from Hindu acharyas.
History of Temple Dispute
The consecration next week caps a decades long history of the disputed site claimed by both Hindus and Muslims.
As per Hindu beliefs, Lord Ram was born at the site in Ayodhya. The first demands to rebuild a temple were raised in the 1850s when the first lawsuits were filed. The legal disputes ran all the way upto India’s Supreme Court.
| Year | Key Event |
|---|---|
| 1949 | Idols of infant Ram and Sita installed at disputed masjid site |
| 1992 | Babri Masjid demolished by kar sevaks, sparking riots |
| 2019 | Supreme Court awards disputed land for temple construction |
| 2020 | PM Modi conducts bhoomi puja as construction starts |
| 2024 | Temple inauguration and Pran Pratishtha ceremony |
“This journey has required immense patience and sacrifice from Hindu community. We could not be prouder to now commemorate Lord Ram in a grand temple,” said VHP President Vishnu Hari Dalmia.
While protests from Muslim petitioners have died down over the years, security agencies are still on high alert. Intelligence inputs warn of potential lone wolf attacks by radicalized youths ahead of the inauguration. [Source]
Boost to Religious Tourism
The magnificent new Ram Mandir, along with rejuvenation projects along the Saryu riverfront are expected to boost religious tourism in Ayodhya.
As per estimates, the annual number of visitors could triple from current levels of 2-3 crore per year.
“We are investing over ₹500 crore to develop world-class amenities for visitors. Ayodhya will showcase India’s cultural capital to the world,” said CM Yogi Adityanath.
Sites like Naya Ghat are being redeveloped, along with temple amenities, river cruises, night aarti at Kaushalyya ghat, and better connectivity to nearby spiritual centers like Chitrakoot.
With the Pran Pratishtha marking a new chapter for Hinduism, Ayodhya gears up to welcome devotees from India and beyond.
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