Ram Temple: 7-day ritual in run-up to ‘pran pratishtha’ starts on Jan 16

The date and timing of the ritual were finalised by Ganeshwar Shashtri Dravid, a Varanasi-based astrologer who had also taken the call on schedule of the Ram Temple groundbreaking (Bhumi Pujan) which was done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 5, 2020.

The temple will be inaugurated by the PM on January 22.

“This is a ritual in which life and energy is instilled into an idol by praying to God. Thereafter, the idol will be ready for offering prayers. Before the final ritual, “nau grah” prayers to all gods and goddesses, including earth, water and fire, are offered. Finally, the ‘pran pratistha’ mantras are chanted,” said Ram Temple chief priest Acharya Satyendra Das.

“Till the prayers are offered, the idol’s eyes will be kept covered and it will be taken for “shobha yatra” or “nagar bhraman” (town tour) as such. The idol’s eyes will be opened before the completion of the consecration for which the astrologers have decided on the Abhijeet muhrat lasting 84 seconds, which is 12:30pm,” he added.

Once the consecration ceremony will be over, the idol will be decorated with ornaments and a crown will be placed on its head, the Trust officials said, adding that its clothes will have threads of gold.

During the consecration, only five people — Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Governor Anandi Ben Patel, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, and a priest— are likely to be present inside the “garbhagriha” (womb chamber), it is learnt.

Even as “pran pratistha” will conclude on January 22, another set of rituals “mandala puja” spanning 48 days will be conducted under Swami Jagaduguru Madhvacharya of Pejawar Muth in Udupi, Karnataka. During the ceremony, the guests will be given “prasadam” and some books, particularly on Ayodhya and its history, by Gita Press, Gorakhpur.

THE RITUAL

Jan 16: The ritual will begin with touching the Saryu river embankment, starting “Vishnu Puja” and conducting “Gau Dan”.

Jan 17: Ram Lalla idol to be taken for “shobha yatra” or “nagar bhraman” (town tour) with its eyes closed. Water from Saryu to be filled in a kalash that will be taken to the temple.

Jan 18: Prayers to Ganesha and Varuna to be followed by other rituals, including chanting of mantras at the temple.

Jan 19: “Nav grah shanti hawan” to be held at the temple site to “please all the planets”.

Jan 20: The temple’s sanctum sanctorum will be washed with Saryu water and prayers for “Vastu shanti” to be offered.

Jan 21: Ram Lalla’s throne to be washed with Saryu water filled in 125 kalashas and prepared for the installation of the idol.

Jan 22: Prayers and rituals to begin in the morning followed by “pran pratistha” at “Abhijeet mahurat”.