As the Pran Pratishtha ceremony for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya approaches, both Ayodhya and the city of Janakpur in Nepal are aglow with festive preparations. The Janaki Temple in Janakpur, believed to be the home of Goddess Sita, is illuminated with lights, creating a joyous atmosphere as people eagerly anticipate the ceremony in Ayodhya.
Pramod Kumar Chaudhary, former chairman of the Shree Ram Youth Committee, expressed the historical significance of the event, highlighting the enduring struggles of Lord Rama throughout different eras. He congratulated the Indian nationals and emphasized the shared joyousness felt in Janakpur.
In Ayodhya, less than 24 hours before the Pran Pratistha ceremony, the holy city has been adorned with lights. The Janaki Sena, a youth group, has led a campaign to collect donations for oil, cotton lamps, and clay pots, aiming to light an impressive two hundred and fifty thousand oil-fed lamps.
Asutosh Jha, a member of the organizing committee, mentioned the overwhelming support from residents of Janakpur and Mithila, who are contributing oil, lamps, clay items, and other necessities for the campaign. The donations, ranging from one liter to the highest capacity, continue to pour in despite nightfall.
Varanasi priest Lakshmi Kant Dixit is set to officiate the main rituals during the Pran Pratistha of Ram Lalla, according to the Ram Janmabhoomi temple trust. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will preside over the event, with thousands of politicians, saints, and celebrities invited to witness the ceremony.
The idol of Lord Ram, crafted by Mysuru-based sculptor Arun Yogiraj, has been placed inside the sanctum sanctorum of the Ayodhya temple. The idol of ‘Ram Lalla’ stands 51 inches tall, weighs 1.5 tonnes, and depicts Lord Ram as a five-year-old child standing on a lotus.
Janakpur, the maternal home of Goddess Sita, is also actively participating in the celebrations. The Chief Mahanth, along with the Chotte Mahanth, has been invited for the ceremony, bringing offerings to Ayodhya as part of the ritual. Events in Janakpur include Deepawali celebrations, Rangoli-making, and a collection drive to light up 250,000 oil-fed lamps.
The Pran Pratistha ceremony in Ayodhya will witness the presence of Prime Minister Modi, Sarsanghchalak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Mohan Bhagwat, Governor of Uttar Pradesh Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister of U.P. Yogi Adityanath, and other dignitaries. Notably, the ceremony will also see the representation of various traditions, sects, and spiritual leaders from more than 150 traditions, including tribal traditions – a historical first.
The Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir, constructed in traditional Nagara style, boasts impressive dimensions and intricate sculptures of Hindu deities. The main sanctum sanctorum houses the idol of Shri Ramlalla, the childhood form of Bhagwan Shri Ram. As the Pran Pratistha program concludes, witnesses will have the opportunity for darshan, marking a significant milestone in the construction of the majestic temple in Ayodhya.
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