With just a few days left for the consecration ceremony of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, the temple town is undergoing extensive development to transform into a smart city. Decorated buildings, widened roads, luxury hotels, and the construction of an international airport are among the bustling preparations.
The Pran Pratishtha ceremony, including the installation of Ram Lalla's idol in the temple's sanctum-sanctorum, is set for noon on January 22, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi presiding over the historic event. PM Modi has announced an 11-day 'anushthan' (ritual) leading up to the ceremony.
The seven-day rituals commenced with the host appointed by the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra conducting the atonement ceremony. As mentioned earlier, the ‘Dashvidh’ bath will take place on the banks of Saryu river. Prayaschita and Karmakuti Poojan will be held.
Water from 155 rivers worldwide, including Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and China, has been gathered for the 'Jalabhishek' ceremony of Ram Lalla. A significant step towards preservation, a time capsule has been positioned approximately 2,000 feet below the temple, featuring a copper plate inscribed with crucial details about the Ram Mandir, Lord Rama, and Ayodhya. The purpose is to safeguard the temple's identity for posterity, ensuring it remains a timeless symbol.
Ayodhya, undergoing transformation into a smart city is witnessing a surge in development with numerous projects in progress. The Ayodhya Development Authority (ADA) has greenlit applications for 35 new hotels, ranging from small to large establishments. Among them, India's first seven-star luxury hotel exclusively serving vegetarian cuisine is set to grace the temple town, attracting interest from 110 hoteliers.
Mumbai-based realty developer The House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL) is reportedly planning a substantial investment of over Rs 2,000 crores (approx £20bn) to establish five luxury hotels in Ayodhya, Varanasi, Vrindavan, Shimla, and Amritsar. The firm might allocate Rs 14.5 crore (approx £145 million) for 10,000 sq ft of land for a five-star hotel in Ayodhya.
With eight sanctioned townships, the largest private one spans over 59,000 square meters. Ayodhya is also poised to introduce 600 homestays, with ADA Vice Chairman Vishal Singh revealing that 600 applications have received approval. The ADA is overseeing 178 projects valued at Rs 29,604 crore (approx £296.04 billion) , encompassing infrastructure revamps and beautification initiatives.
Nationwide celebrations are set to unfold in India, with the PM Modi encouraging people to illuminate diyas in honour of the historic occasion. The BJP is orchestrating special pujas in temples and localities to mark the momentous event. In alignment with the consecration ceremony (Pran Pratishtha) of Lord Ram in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024, several Indian states, including Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Assam, and Chhattisgarh, are implementing a ban on the sale of liquor and meat. Interestingly, there is a notable trend as some pregnant women express a desire to schedule their deliveries on January 22, aligning with the inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, as shared by a senior official from a government-run hospital in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
Global leaders invited for Pran Pratishtha Ceremony
Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra has divulged details about the Pran Pratishtha ceremony scheduled for January 22 at Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The Temple Trust emphasises a focus on diverse representation, historical tribal inclusion, and the embrace of various traditions.
The consecration ceremony on January 22 will see the attendance of several notable figures, including industrialists, political leaders, sports icons, and celebrities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to be present for the installation of the idol of Ram Lalla. Invitations extend to cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan, and business tycoons Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani and among others. Vinod Bansal, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) national spokesperson, previously mentioned that about 7,000 individuals, including approximately 100 representatives from abroad, are expected to participate in the ceremony during his visit to Jharkhand on January 10.
Leaders from 55 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas have received invitations to the Ram Temple event. Notable among the invitees is the Korean Queen, who claims to be Prabhu Shree Ram's Vanshaj (descendant of Lord Ram). The guest list includes dignitaries from countries like Argentina, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the USA, and many others.
The diverse guest list includes numerous sadhus, seers, and foreign attendees. Champat Rai, the general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, mentioned that representatives from L&T and Tata Consulting Engineer, the project management consultants for the Ram temple, will also be present at the opening event. According to Rai, adequate arrangements, including refreshments, lunch, drinking water, toilet facilities, and shoe racks, have been made for the guests. The temple trust has announced that classical instruments from various states, such as Uttar Pradesh's Pakhawaj and Tamil Nadu's Mridang, will be played during the Ram Mandir consecration ceremony in Ayodhya.
However, prominent Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Lok Sabha leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who received invitations for the grand event on January 22 in Ayodhya, have declined. Meanwhile, opposition parties express concern over the reported absence of the four Shankaracharyas, claiming their objection to the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony at what they consider an 'incomplete temple. Turning down the invite for the Pran Pratishtha event, Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said that even our Shankaracharyas (religious guru) will not be attending the Ram Mandir event which shows that the reason for not attending it is important.
Ram Mandir inauguration sparks celebrations worldwide
Anticipation is reaching new heights for the grand consecration ceremony of Lord Ram at the Ayodhya Ram Temple. The excitement extends far beyond India, as celebrations are unfolding globally. From the United States to France, events commemorating this momentous occasion have been joyfully scheduled around the world.
In the UK, many mandirs and dharmic community organisations have come together to celebrate this historic event like Diwali. A website, 'UK Celebrates Ayodhya Ram Mandir,' has been launched to keep the British Indian community informed about events related to the Ayodhya Ram Mandir across the UK. The site lists numerous free events promising a spiritual and devotional respite for attendees in various parts of the country.
Talking to ANM News, Lord Rami Ranger, Member of the House of Lords, said, “I welcome the opening of Ram Mandir, and everyone should visit and pay their respect. It is very important for every sanatani. I am very proud that, in my lifetime, the Ram Mandir will be opening. I congratulate all the people involved with the opening of the Ram Mandir,” he added. “The reaction is very positive in the UK, and the jubilation is all over the world. It is very important that we bring back the glory that has been denied to us. It will unite us and make India stronger. Ayodhya will be a tourist destination.” Lord Ranger was also requested to send water from the Thames for the bhoomi puja for the foundation.
Bhaktivedanta Manor, the leading ISKCON temple in the UK, will be opening up the opportunity for pilgrims to take darshan on January 22. To celebrate this momentous occasion, ISKCON worldwide plans to feed 100,000 pilgrims daily (and 10,000 daily in the Ayodhya region) and hold festivals promoting the chanting of God’s names (especially “Hare Krishna” and “Hare Rama”). “We mark the legacy of Sri Rama and His teachings on dharma and sacrifice. Lord Rama is the beacon of righteousness, spiritual truth, and morality, and through his example, we pray that the world is ennobled by his example," said Visakha Dasi Temple President of Bhaktivedanta Manor.
The Slough Hindu Mandir, one of the UK's oldest mandirs, is all set for an extravagant celebration. A live telecast from Ayodhya in the morning, along with the careful preparation of over 200 KG of Ladoos, will mark the festivities. Maha prasad will be served after the Arti at 7 PM, with an anticipated joyful gathering of 4 to 5 thousand devotees at the temple. Co-founders and Directors of IDUK, Mr Hirdesh Gupta, Ajay Murudkar, and Alok Gupta expressed their excitement, likening the atmosphere to Diwali. People are traveling from distant places, organising Bhajan Sandhya and celebrations in hired halls.
In the US, the VHP has organised a car and bike rally in Washington (DC) at the Shri Bhakta Anjaneya Temple on January 20th. Over 40 billboards featuring Lord Ram and the temple have been erected in over 10 states in the United States. After January 22nd, prasad will be distributed in temples across America, starting in Boston, further extending the celebrations.
The Mauritian government announced a 2-hour special break for Hindu public officers, allowing them to participate in local events marking the event. In Paris, a Ram Rath Yatra will be carried out from Place de la Capelle to the iconic Eiffel Tower, featuring chanting of ‘Shree Ram Dhun’ devotional songs, cultural programmes, and Prasad distribution. Various programmes have been organised in Western Sydney and Melbourne, along with events in Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and New South Wales. Similar events such as Rath Yatra, Prasad distributions and Ram Katha also planned in several nations.