Ayodhya: Champat Rai, the General Secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, informed on Monday that the program and worship rituals for Shri Ram Lalla’s consecration in his new grand temple in Ayodhya Dham will commence on January 16. The new idol set for consecration will be placed in the ‘garbha grih’ on January 18.
The consecration event for Shri Ram Lalla is scheduled to take place on January 22, during Paush Shukla Dwadashi Abhijit Muhurta at 12:20 pm, as mentioned by Rai. Additionally, he informed that on the occasion of Pran Pratistha, notable figures including PM Narendra Modi, CM Yogi, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, Governor Anandi Ben Patel, Ram Janmabhoomi Trust President Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, and all the trustees will be present in the ‘garbha grih’ (sanctum sanctorum).
#WATCH | “Ram temple will be open for darshan for the general public from 23rd January,” says Champat Rai, General Secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust. pic.twitter.com/GGwArdlbU4
— ANI (@ANI) January 15, 2024
Rituals will start from January 16
Providing details about the Pran Pratishtha program, Champat Rai mentioned that all preparations for the event have been completed. The Pran Pratishtha is scheduled to commence at 12:20 pm, with the timing determined by the revered priest of Varanasi, Ganeshwar Shastri.
Laxmikant Dixit of Varanasi will be responsible for conducting the entire ritual associated with Pran Pratistha, Rai added. He explained that the puja rituals are set to begin on January 16 and will continue until January 21. The minimum necessary activities will be organized for Pran Pratishtha on January 22. Rai further revealed that the statue which is to be consecrated is made of stone, with an estimated weight ranging between 150 to 200 kg. The statue represents the form of a 5-year-old boy and is intended to be installed in a standing position.
Pran Pratistha will be done after the ‘adhivas’ of Shri Vigraha
Champat Rai explained that the consecrated idol undergoes a process known as ‘Adhivas’ in the worship system, wherein various forms of residence are created for the idol. These include residence in water, food, fruits, medicine, ghee, bed, and fragrance. This is a very difficult process. Rai emphasized that the procedure will be carried out in accordance with the guidance of religious leaders, acknowledging the complexity and importance of the ritual.People belonging to every tradition, knowledge and belief are invited
According to Champat Rai, the invitation has been extended to saints representing over 150 diverse traditions, such as Dharmacharya, Adivasi, Girivasi, and Samudravasi, for the program. Additionally, individuals from various disciplines in India, including sports, science, military, administration, police, diplomacy, judiciary, literature, arts, painting, and sculpture, among others, have been invited. The event will also be attended by more than 500 individuals from the Engineer Group, who played crucial roles in the construction of the temple.
Saints from all over India, speaking all languages, Shaiva, Vaishnav, Shakya, Ganpati worshippers, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, as well as all the philosophies, Kabir, Valmiki, the tradition of Shankar Dev from Assam, ISKCON, Gayatri, Mahima Samaj of Odisha, Barkari of Maharashtra, and Lingayat of Karnataka will be present.
Gifts coming from several places, including Mother Sita’s maternal house
He said that water has come from many places like Manasarovar, Amarnath, Gangotri, Haridwar, Sangam of Prayagraj, Narmada, Godavari, Nashik, and Gokarna. Many people are bringing water and soil from their places with devotion. In line with the customary practice of exchanging gifts in our society, an elaborate gift comprising grains, fruits, clothes, dry fruits, gold, and silver has been presented from Birganj in South Nepal, an area linked to Mithila. Likewise, representatives from Sitamarhi, the birthplace of Sita Mata, have arrived with their gifts. Additionally, gifts have been brought from Chhattisgarh, Ram Ji’s maternal hometown. A devoted sadhu from Jodhpur has contributed ghee from his cowshed as well.
Darshan will remain closed on 20-21 January
He mentioned that discussions are underway to temporarily suspend the darshan of Shri Ram Lalla on January 20-21. During this period, the priests will arrange for worship, aarti, bhog, sleep, and jagran. Considering the ongoing influx of 25 to 30 thousand devotees daily, the decision has been made to restrict the darshan of God on January 20-21, allowing for the seamless completion of internal arrangements. The darshan of the new idol will be opened to the general public from January 23.
Over 8K people will gather in the temple courtyard
Champat Rai shared that a total of 8,000 chairs have been arranged in the temple courtyard for distinguished individuals who will be attending. On January 22, people across the country are encouraged to participate in cleanliness drives and engage in bhajans, worship, and kirtans in their respective temples.
The Pran Pratishtha program will be broadcast live, allowing wider participation. Following the Pran Pratishtha ceremony, the tradition involves the blowing of conch shells and the distribution of Prasad, with an emphasis on reaching as many people as possible. The focus of the events
revolve around the temple. Additionally, in the evening, after sunset, it is recommended to light five lamps at the outer door of every household as an offering to please the Lord.