Shri Ram has arrived in his birthplace in Ayodhya, but his arrival after 500 years of emotional and judicial battles is being celebrated globally by the Indian diaspora. While there is only one Indian woman, Bhartidevi Kantari - who was invited to the Pran Pratishtha ceremony in India on 22 January, back in the UK - the Indian community welcomes Shri Ram Lalla with grandeur and utmost devotion.
While Gitali Khatri distributed copies of Shri Ramraksha Stortra to members of the community along with Hanuman Chalisa, community organisations across north-south, east-west held their respective gatherings, prayer meetings and yajnas, where Indians in the UK dressed up in their best ethnic attires and cooked prasad to celebrate the Pran Pratishtha event being held in Ayodhya back home.
Shri Ram’s picture was also flashed on the Times Square digital board, while many people in their way paid tribute to the story of Ramayan. For instance, Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt wore a saree embroidered with tropes from the Ramayan while she attended the Pran Pratishtha ceremony with her husband and actor Ranbir Kapoor in Ayodhya.
The three main actors Arun Govil (Ram), Deepika Chikhalia (Sita) and Sunil Lahiri (Laxman) from Ramanand Sagar’s immortalised version of Ramayan on TV also attend the ceremony in Ayodhya while releasing a special video in honour of Shri Ram.
An AI-generated version of the song Ram Aayenge was shared on social media. In this version, a YouTube user used AI to create a rendition of the song in the voice of the late singer Lata Mangeshkar. Shared ahead of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir consecration ceremony taking place today, a video of the song has gone viral.
Inspired by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London (popularly known as ‘Neasden Temple’) joined almost 60 BAPS mandirs and centres in the UK and wider Europe as part of a global BAPS tribute to commemorate the opening of the new Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. ISKCON-Bristol Hindu Temple lit 501 lamps to celebrate Shri Ram’s arrival.
Shobha Yatra in West Midlands, Rishi bhoj and grand events engulfed the community in a pious atmosphere - welcoming a new era of celebrating as well as reviving the cultural heritage of Hinduism and Shri Ram’s legacy - a truly global event.
Approximately 8000 people, predominantly Hindus, commemorated the 'Return of Lord Ram,' an Incarnation of Lord Vishnu in Auckland on Sunday, January 21, 2024. Named 'Ayodhya at Eden Park,' the five-hour event, held at Eden Park in Auckland, included Havan, renditions of Rama Kirtans, hymns praising Lord Ram (or Rama), a cultural program, and competitions for children. Guests of Honour were India’s High Commissioner to New Zealand Neeta Bhushan and Ethnic Communities Minister Melissa Lee.
