In anticipation of the upcoming ‘pran-pratishta’ ceremony on January 22, the 51-inch idol of Ram Lalla was reverently placed inside the sanctum sanctorum of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on Thursday. The intricately sculpted idol, created by a skilled artist from Mysuru with a family history of five generations of renowned sculptors, arrived at the temple premises on Wednesday.
During a ceremony held on Thursday, the first glimpse of the veiled Ram Lalla idol was unveiled. Photographs from the placement event were shared by Sharad Sharma, the media in-charge of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). Vedic Brahmins and esteemed acharyas led worship ceremonies within the sacred precincts of the temple, with members of the Ram Janmabhoomi Tirth Kshetra also participating in the prayers.
A priest associated with the consecration ceremony, Arun Dixit, conveyed that the idol was placed in the sanctum sanctorum on Thursday afternoon amidst the chanting of prayers. He highlighted that the ‘pradhan sankalp,’ a significant ritual, was performed by Anil Mishra, a member of the trust overseeing the temple construction. Dixit emphasized that the ceremony symbolized the dedication of Lord Ram’s idol for the well-being of all, the nation, humanity, and those who contributed to the temple’s construction.
Further detailing the rituals, Dixit mentioned that various ceremonies were conducted, including the distribution of vastras (cloths) to Brahmins, and tasks were assigned to individuals involved in the process.
Pran-Pratishta Ceremony Details and Public Opening
The much-anticipated ‘pran-pratishta’ ceremony on January 22 will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Ayodhya’s Ram temple. The main rituals will be performed by a team of priests led by Lakshmikant Dixit. Several celebrities and notable personalities have been invited to partake in the ceremony, which marks a significant step in the completion of the Ram temple.
Following the consecration ceremony, the temple is expected to be opened to the public on January 23, allowing devotees to visit and pay their respects. The consecration rituals have been ongoing, with the temple constructed at the believed birthplace of Lord Ram, a site historically associated with the Babri Masjid, which was demolished by ‘kar sevaks’ in 1992. The construction of the temple was facilitated by a landmark Supreme Court judgment in 2019, resolving the temple-mosque dispute.
Comments