Ritual fire to remain lit till consecration ceremony

Apart from the starting of the yagya, the remaining rituals were also performed on the idol, including “Aushadhadhivas, Kesaradhivas, and Ghritadhivas”

Priests involved in the rituals said the fire, which has been lit in the kundas, will be “akhand (continuous)” till the consecration ceremony, and priests will be there to ensure that it continues to remain lit. (Picture credit: Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Trust)

The rituals for the day began early this Friday around 9 am with the lighting of the fire, as part of the “Aranimanthan”, where the fire was lit by rubbing two woods with the help of a cloth.

Apart from the main “yagya shala”, nine kundas (pitchers) of different shapes have been prepared, which were lit on Friday, as part of the “kunda puja” from the fire taken from the “Aranimanthan”.

Apart from the starting of the yagya, the remaining rituals were also performed on the idol, including “Aushadhadhivas, Kesaradhivas, and Ghritadhivas”.

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Explaining these rituals, one of the priests performing them said under “Aushadhadhivas”, the idol was covered with water in which 8-10 different types of “aushadhi” (medicines), as written in the “shastras”, were soaked. The idol was then covered with kesar-soaked water and paste made of kesar alone, as part of the “Kesaradhivas” ritual. As part of the “Ghritadhivas”, the idol was soaked in “pure cow ghee” that has come from Jodhpur in Rajasthan.

There was continuous chanting of mantras and the rituals ended with “Dhanadhivas” of the idol in the evening aarti. As part of the Dhanadhivas, about 25-kg of rice was poured on the idol slowly to cover it completely.

Earlier in the day, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust clarified, “Invitation card alone does not guarantee entry into Pran Pratistha Utsav on January 22.”

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It said only those having QR-coded entry passes issued by the trust will be allowed entry after scanning. The trust also released samples of the entry passes.

Maulshree Seth

Maulshree Seth is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, based in Lucknow. With over 15 years of experience in mainstream journalism, she has built a formidable reputation for her on-ground reporting across Uttar Pradesh. Her expertise spans a wide array of critical beats, including state politics, governance, the judiciary, and rural development. Authoritativeness Maulshree’s work is characterized by depth and historical context. Her coverage of high-stakes state elections and landmark judicial rulings has established her as an authoritative voice on the intersection of law and politics in Northern India. She is frequently recognized for her ability to gain access to primary sources and for her nuanced understanding of the socio-economic factors that drive the world's most populous sub-national entity. Trustworthiness & Ethical Journalism Her reporting is rooted in rigorous fact-checking and a steadfast dedication to neutral, unbiased storytelling. By prioritizing field-based verification—often traveling to the most remote corners of the state—she ensures that her readers receive a truthful and comprehensive view of events. ... Read More

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