Ayodhya: Saffron flags bearing images of Lord Ram, Lord Hanuman and the upcoming grand temple on display in front of shops along Ram Path, in Ayodhya. (PTI Photo)‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony Live Updates: As preparations for the inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya are in full swing, the formal procedures for Ram Temple ‘Pran Pratishtha’ sacraments will commence from today and will continue through January 21. The temple will finally be inaugurated on January 22.
Meanwhile, the idol of Ram Lalla to be installed inside the temple has been finalised. The idol sculpted by Mysuru-based Arun Yogiraj has been selected for installation, according to temple trust’s general secretary Champat Rai. Replying to queries at a press conference today, he said the current idol of Ram Lalla will also be kept in the sanctum sanctorum of the new temple.
In other news, the Congress party hit out at the BJP, saying that the ruling party has made the Ram temple consecration ceremony an “out and out political event” which is being held without taking the advice of Shankaracharyas and by disregarding religious procedures. The opposition party also said religion is a personal matter and anyone is free to go to Ayodhya for ‘darshan’ but the invitation that was declined was for the January 22 event, of which “massive politicisation” is taking place.
Actors Rakesh Bedi, Vindu Dara Singh in Ayodhya to perform 'Ramleela' ahead of Ram Temple 'Pran Pratishtha'
Actors Rakesh Bedi and Vindu Dara Singh are in Ayodhya to perform 'Ramleela' ahead of the Ram Temple 'Pran Pratishtha'.
"I have been invited to perform Ram Leela in Ayodhya from 16th to 22nd January. I am playing the role of Lord Shiva. Ayodhya will become the world's top pilgrimage site," said Vindu Dara Singh.
Actor Rakesh Bedi said, "Development follows after an airport is constructed at a destination..."
People from all castes, communities excited for Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha: Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi
“Lord Ram is everyone’s idol, and he resides in everyone’s heart. People from all castes and communities are excited for Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha,” said Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi.
Delhi Police makes adequate security arrangements for 'pran pratishtha' ceremony in Ayodhya and Republic Day
Gearing up for the 'pran pratishtha' ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22 and the Republic Day celebrations, the Delhi Police is making adequate security arrangements, including using drones, across the national capital, officials said on Tuesday.
"Security has been beefed up across the national capital ahead of 'pran pratishtha' and the Republic Day. Our forces are already taking out flag march in several sensitive areas identified by the department," a senior police officer said.
The officer added the Delhi Police is "keeping an extra vigil in those sensitive areas" and "using drones to monitor security". More than 8,000 police personnel have already been deployed in Delhi for the January 26 parade across the national capital. (PTI)
56 varieties of Agra's famous 'petha' delivered as offering to Lord Ram in Ayodhya
Fifty-six varieties of Agra's famous 'petha' and as many different flavours was on Tuesday delivered here as an offering to Lord Ram, an official statement said.
Every section of the society is on Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's appeal for public participation contributing for the Ram temple inauguration in an expression of their devotion and happiness.
In addition to over 560 kg 'petha', the temple trust has also received gem studded dress, silver plate and other puja materials from various places.
The 56 varieties of 'petha' sent by Panchi Petha was brought by the Agra Trade Board and accepted at Karsevakpuram in the presence of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Ramlal Ji and Rajendra Singh Pankaj of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), the statement said. (PTI)
'No work can be done in the Indian way of life without Lord Ram': UP CM Yogi Adityanath
"No work can be done in the Indian way of life without Lord Ram. The issue of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi was never suppressed for nearly 500 years," says UP CM Yogi Adityanath.
Ram temple built after 500-year wait, opposition should stop commenting on it: Anurag Thakur
Union minister and senior BJP leader Anurag Thakur on Tuesday said the opposition parties should stop commenting on the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya as it has been built after a long wait of 500 years.
Thakur took part in cleaning the Hanuman mandir premises at Connaught Place on Tuesday, under a campaign to clean local temples launched by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22.
"Some people are still not happy with the construction of the temple," Thakur told reporters when asked about the opposition parties' charge that the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) have turned the "pran pratishtha" ritual into a political event.
There are some who are pained at the construction of the temple, there are some who are pained by the "pran pratishtha" ceremony and then there are some who have to give statements on it for the sake of their politics, the Union minister said. (PTI)
Watch | Delhi CM, wife arrive at Pracheen Shri Balaji Mandir to attend AAP's Sundarkand recitation
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and his wife Sunita arrive at Pracheen Shri Balaji Mandir to attend AAP's Sundarkand recitation.
‘Cong could not have gone to event centred around PM, RSS’: Rahul speaks up on temple invite
Speaking on the political row over the invite for the Ram Temple inauguration for the first time, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Tuesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the RSS have “captured” the event and turned it into an “election function”, making it difficult for the Congress to attend.
Addressing a press conference here, around 30 km from Nagaland capital Kohima, during his Bharat Nyay Jodo Yatra, he also signalled that there were no plans yet to visit Ayodhya when the march passes through Uttar Pradesh.
The January 22 temple consecration was designed “around Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the RSS”, Rahul said, giving it an “electoral” and “political” flavour. “Even the authorities of the Hindu religion, the biggest authorities of the Hindu religion, have made their view public about what they think about the function,” he said, hinting at objections raised by the Shankaracharyas on the consecration. Read more
Difficult for us to attend Jan 22 Ram Mandir event… BJP/RSS have given it election flavour, says Rahul Gandhi
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Tuesday stated that it was difficult for the party to accept the invitation for the January 22 Ram Temple event as the “BJP-RSS have given it an election flavour”.
“We are with all religions. Whoever wants to go, even from congress, can go. But it’s difficult for us to go as the prime minister, who is our principal opposition, has made it into an election event,” Rahul said.
When asked where he will be on January 22, Rahul asserted that he will be on the yatra trail. 'Somewhere in Assam, according to the schedule.'
Consecration rituals begin at Ayodhya’s Ram temple today; will continue till Jan 21
Rituals in the run-up to the January 22 Ram Mandir consecration ceremony started at the temple complex here on Tuesday, its chief priest said.
"The 'anushthan' has started and will continue till January 22, the day of the consecration ceremony. Eleven priests are performing the rituals invoking all the "devis and devtas" (goddesses and gods)," Ram temple chief priest Acharya Satyendra Das said, news agency PTI reported.
According to the report, the trust said there are seven adhivasas in the "Pran Pratishtha" and a minimum of three adhivasas are in practice.
There are 121 "acharyas" who are conducting the rituals and Ganeshwar Shastri Dravid is overseeing, coordinating and directing all proceedings of the "anushthan". The principal "acharya" will be Laxmikant Dixit Dixit of Kashi.
The Ram temple "Pran Pratishtha" will begin at 12:20 pm on January 22, Rai told the news agency. The rituals preceding the "Pran Pratishtha" started with the "prayaschita" and "karmakuti poojan", according to a schedule released by the Sri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. (PTI)
Opinion | What Congress doesn’t get: Rama is in all and for all
Indian civilisational history has a unique vantage point. It contains examples of and lessons from individuals who hold contemporary relevance several thousand years after they have gone. Rama is one such character.
The boycott by some leaders of the Opposition, particularly the Congress, of the Ram Temple Pran Pratishtan at Ayodhya betrays a parochial and closed mindset. It also shows their disconnect from India’s people, its civilisation and culture.
What often inspires people is that Rama was anchored in Dharma, despite the tremendous and unexpected upheavals he faced. Read the opinion piece by Sudarshan Ramabadran and Guru Prakash Paswan here.
Rituals for ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony to begin today; will continue till Jan 21
As preparations for the inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya are in full swing, the formal procedures for Ram Temple ‘Pran Pratishtha’ sacraments will commence from today and will continue through the January 21.
The temple will finally be inaugurated on January 22.
Resident of Ballia prepares sand art in Ayodhya for 'pran pratishtha' ceremony
Rupesh Singh, a resident of Ballia and fine arts student from MGKV (Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith) is preparing sand art in Ayodhya for the Ram temple 'pran pratishtha' ceremony.
Speaking to news agency PTI, Singh said, “In Ramayana, it is mentioned that Lord Ram went to Vanvas for fourteen years, but in reality, he has been away from his birthplace Ayodhya for last five centuries. Now that with everyone’s effort, he is returning to his abode, I am here with a resolution to make world’s highest sand art depicting Lord Ram’s life and create a world record."
'Blessed to receive such an honour': wife of Mysuru-based Arun Yogiraj selected for installation of Ram idol
The Mysuru-based sculptor Arun Yogiraj's wife Vijatataruni, talking to reporters, said, "We are very happy & blessed to receive such an honour. Thank you for making this day special for us...It is going to be a festive vibe for us..."
With only a few days to go for the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, the idol of Ram Lalla to be installed inside the temple has been finalised. The idol sculpted by Mysuru-based Arun Yogiraj has been selected for installation, according to temple trust’s general secretary Champat Rai.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh participates in cleanliness drive at Hanuman Setu temple in Lucknow
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday participated in a cleanliness drive at the Hanuman Setu temple in Lucknow. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged people to carry out cleanliness drives at temples and places of religious importance ahead of the January 22 consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Talking to reporters, Singh referred to the consecration ceremony as a "joyous occasion." "On January 22, the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla is going to take place. People from the country and all over the world will participate in it. There cannot be a more joyous occasion for the people of the country and all Lord Ram devotees...," Singh said.
Watch | Laser show at Surajkund in Ayodhya ahead of consecration ceremony
Visuals of laser show being held at Surajkund in Ayodhya ahead of the Ram temple consecration ceremony.
(PTI Video)
Ayodhya priest urges people not to spread misleading information about Ram Mandir, refers to Somnath temple Pran Pratishtha
Shashikant Das Maharaj, president, Saryu Maha Aarti in Ayodhya, said on Monday that some people are spreading "misleading things" about the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22.
Referring to the Pran Pratishtha of the Somnath temple in Gujarat, Shashikant Das said that at that time, the 'sanctum sanctorum' and 'Shikhar' of the temple were not completed; however, today, God's 'sanctum sanctorum' and 'Shikhar' are ready. ANI
This comes after opposition parties, including the Congress, have claimed that the Shankaracharyas have decided against attending the January 22 event after objecting to the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony at an 'incomplete temple'.
MP CM prepares some of the 5 lakh 'laddoos' to be sent to Ayodhya for Jan 22 event
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday prepared 'laddoos' that will be sent to Ayodhya for distribution as 'prasad' during the idol consecration of the Ram Temple on January 22.
He reached the Mahakaleshwar Temple management committee's 'laddoo' making unit at Chintaman here and inspected the process of preparing five lakh laddoos, officials said. PTI
54 Vedic Brahmins leave for Ayodhya from Varanasi
54 Vedic Brahmins leave for Ayodhya from Varanasi to perform Pran Pratishtha at Ram Mandir in Ayodhya under Vedic scholar Lakshmi Kant Dixit, on January 22.
CM Dhami flags off seers to Ayodhya for Ram temple opening
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday flagged off for Ayodhya a group of seers carrying waters from the sacred rivers of Uttarakhand.
"The forthcoming consecration ceremony at the Ram temple is a long-awaited moment. We have struggled and waited for years for this event," Dhami said while addressing a gathering at the Har ki Pauri.
"We are blessed to witness the ceremony which has been made possible under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he added. PTI
Karnataka sculptor’s idol to be consecrated at Ram temple on Jan 22
The Ram idol sculpted by renowned Karnataka sculptor Arun Yogiraj will be consecrated during the inauguration of the Ram temple on January 22, Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra announced on Monday.
In a post on X, the temple trust said, “The Murti sculpted on Krishna Shila, by renowned sculptor Shri Arun Yogiraj, has been selected as Shri Vigraha of Bhagwan Shri Ramlalla Sarkar.”
Read more
Tripura CM, Union minister participate in cleanliness drive ahead of Ram Temple inauguration
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday started a cleanliness drive in Tripura ahead of the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya later this month.
As part of the drive, Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha was seen cleaning up the premises of a temple at Melarmath in Agartala on Monday.
Speaking to reporters, Saha said, “We all know that Ram temple will be inaugurated on January 22… as per instruction of our PM Narendra Modi, we are organising Swachh Bharat Abhiyan in and around temple premises from January 14. It will continue till January 22.”
Makar Sankranti: UP Cong leaders pay obeisance to Ram Lalla in Ayodhya
Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai and other party leaders took a holy dip in the Saryu river in Ayodhya on Makar Sankranti festival on Monday and paid obeisance to Ram Lalla.
While the Congress top brass has declined an invitation to the January 22 consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, the party's Uttar Pradesh unit stuck to its plan to offer prayers in the holy city on Makar Sankranti.
Ram temple ‘Pran Pratishtha': Haryana govt declares dry day on Jan 22
The Haryana government has declared a 'dry day' on January 22 in view of the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
The announcement was made by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar here on Monday.
An official release quoting Khattar said all liquor establishments in the state will be closed on January 22.
The 'pran pratishtha' ceremony will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries.
Several BJP-ruled states, including Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, have already declared a dry day on January 22.
Congress and Ram Mandir: Brief history of the party’s flip-flops on Ayodhya temple
The Congress Party Wednesday (January 10) said it will skip the upcoming consecration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on January 22. “The inauguration of the incomplete temple by the leaders of the BJP and the RSS has been obviously brought forward for electoral gain,” the party’s statement said.
This is the latest chapter in Congress’s vacillating stance on the Ram Janmabhoomi issue — an attempt to keep both Hindus and Muslims happy, but ultimately getting the support of neither side.
Here is a brief history.
Meet Arun Yogiraj, whose Ram Lalla’s idol for Ayodhya temple has been selected
Yogiraj, a resident of Mysuru, belongs to a family of famous sculptors. He says his family hs been doing this work for 250 years, or the past five generations.
He is counted among the most sought-after sculptors in the country. While he has an MBA degree and even took up a job briefly, he came back to his family profession.
His grandfather, B Basavanna Shilpi, was patronised by the kings of Mysore, and had been trained by Shilpi Siddanthi Siddalinga Swami, the royal guru of Mysore palace. Basavanna Shilpi had supplied 64 idols in just 11 months to the Gayatri temple, located on the Mysuru palace premises.
Learn more about him
Ayodhya Ram Temple Event Live Updates: Pran pratishtha ceremony will begin at 12.20 pm on Jan 22
Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha Ceremony:"All preparations have been completed. The pran pratishtha ceremony will begin at 12.20 pm (on January 22). The muhurat (auspicious timing) was decided by Ganeshwar Shastri Dravid of Varanasi," says Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra General Secretary Champat Rai at a press conference.
Ayodhya Ram temple consecration ceremony: Trains' movement to be affected from Jan 16 to 22
Ahead of the Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya, the movement of trains will be affected from January 16 to 22 due to doubling of tracks and electrification being done on top priority, a senior Railways official said on Monday.
Ten trains, including Vande Bharat, have been cancelled while 35 trains, including Doon Express, will run on alternate routes. The run of 14 other trains will also be affected. PTI
Yet to decide on attending Ram temple event, grateful to be invited: Mayawati
BSP supremo Mayawati on Monday said she has received an invitation for the January 22 consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya and is grateful for it, but a decision on attending it has not been taken yet because of certain party programmes.
The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is a secular party and respects all religions. "In the future, if any such programme is held regarding the Babri Masjid, our party will have no objection to that also," Mayawati said at a press conference organised here on her 68th birthday.
Political Pulse | BJP distances itself from Karnataka MP Anantkumar Hegde's comments ahead of consecration ceremony. Who is he?
The BJP distanced itself from comments made by its Karnataka MP Anantkumar Hegde calling for mosques allegedly built on temples to be demolished, ahead of the Ram temple consecration on January 22 in Ayodhya. However, the incident wasn’t the Uttara Kannada MP’s first brush with controversy.
Speaking at a meeting in Kumta on Saturday, Hegde claimed there were several mosques built over Hindu temples in Karnataka.
Read to know more
Telangana governor Tamilisai criticises DMK MP Balu over remarks 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony
Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan questioned DMK MP TR Balu's statement on Monday calling the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya a political event.
She criticised the DMK leaders for declining the invitation to the event and further accused the party of politicising the occasion.
"Who is politicising it? Who is attending it (Pran Pratishtha) or who is not attending it? Why are they not attending? Because they think it is a political festival. Despite the invitation, they are not attending because it is God's festival. It is a long dream for every person," Governor Tamilisai said while speaking to ANI.
Earlier in the day, expressing his views on the 'Pran Pratishtha', DMK MP TR Balu asserted that it is not a spiritual but a political event. He accused the BJP of using the construction of the temple to divert attention from their unfulfilled promises since coming into power in 2014. (ANI)
Ram temple event fervour across the globe: Yatras, rallies, and bhajans from New York to Sydney
From Washington DC to Paris to Sydney, events have been planned in various parts of the world to mark the Ram temple consecration ceremony on January 22. These programmes are either being organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) or are being undertaken by Hindu diaspora groups.
VHP joint general secretary Swami Vigyananand, who handles the organisation’s international affairs, said the VHP had “direct contacts” in over 60 countries and that it has planned programmes with the Hindu community organisations there. (Lalmani Verma writes)
Visuals from Ayodhya before Ram Mandir consecration ceremony
(Express photos by Chitral Khambhati)
Ram Temple Pran Pratishtha: Operation clean Ayodhya on
AYODHYA IS witnessing massive deployment of human resources amid preparations for the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple on January 22 and the expected influx of visitors in the following month.
Officials said on Wednesday that these arrangements include 500 stationary temporary toilets, 30 mobile toilets, an additional 1,500 safai mitras, 50 mela sarthis (guides), 22 water kiosks, 50 water tanks, two temporary hospitals, 16 primary health camps, 62 ambulances including 12 Advanced Life Support vehicles, over 200 doctors and an “extensive master plan” on rescue and medical services from Ayodhya to Lucknow. (Read More)
100 chartered planes to land in Ayodhya on Jan 22 would be parked in nearby airports, says airport director
A total of 100 chartered planes, which will land in Ayodhya on the occasion of the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of Lord Ram Lalla, will be parked in nearby airports, an official said on Saturday.
Vinod Kumar, Maharishi Valmiki International Airport Director, after holding a meeting with Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust General Secretary Champat Rai said that the parking facilities for the chartered aircraft are made in nearby airports including Lucknow, Varanasi and Prayagraj.
"It was just a review meeting on how we have to handle the aircraft. And the arrangements regarding all of them were discussed in the meeting. The 100 chartered aircraft would be parked in nearby airports including Lucknow, Varanasi, and Prayagraj," the official said. (ANI)
Express Opinion | Five reasons why INDIA leaders should oppose BJP’s Ram Mandir politics
“They will say Ram is a national symbol, a symbol of Hindu pride. But did you [Ram] consent to being converted to something as banal and nasty as the symbol of an ethnic nationalism? You redeemed your devotees, those you wronged, but your opponents as well. But this temple is a monument to exclusion, a brute majoritarianism subordinating others. Look at the men, both political and spiritual, who speak in your name, and the blood, power and intimidation they have on their hands.”
— Pratap Bhanu Mehta, The Indian Express, August 5, 2020
To attend or not to attend. It should never have been a question. Yet, it took the better part of a month for the Congress to announce that its leaders — Sonia Gandhi, party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury — would not be present at the “pran pratishtha” ceremony of the Ram Temple at Ayodhya. Politically, ideologically and even tactically – there is little reason for Congress to attend the event. Yet, even in the wording of its refusal, the lack of clarity from the Opposition heading into the general elections is evident. (Click here to Read More)
“Remembering My Motherâ€: PM Modi’s Special Message Ahead Of Ram Mandir Consecration Ceremony
Ram Mandir Ayodhya: Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a special audio message with people ahead of inauguration of Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22nd. “I’m starting a eleven day ritual starting today,” said Modi, “Remembering my mother who I’ve seen chanting most of my life.”
Congress and Ram Mandir: Brief history of the party’s flip-flops on Ayodhya temple
The Congress Party Wednesday (January 10) said it will skip the upcoming consecration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on January 22. “The inauguration of the incomplete temple by the leaders of the BJP and the RSS has been obviously brought forward for electoral gain,” the party’s statement said.
This is the latest chapter in Congress’s vacillating stance on the Ram Janmabhoomi issue — an attempt to keep both Hindus and Muslims happy, but ultimately getting the support of neither side. Here is a brief history.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat says long cherished dream being fulfilled in Ayodhya
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat Sunday said that a long cherished dream is now being fulfilled with the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
In an apparent reference to the Babri Masjid, which was pulled down by "kar sevaks" in December 1992, Bhagwat said, "The symbol of slavery was demolished in Ayodhya but no damage was caused to any other mosque there. Kar sevaks did not riot anywhere." He said this in an address after his three-day visit here.
The RSS chief said, "It is a joy to have the temple built. But there is still a lot of work to be done and it has to be kept in mind that the struggle due to which this dream is being fulfilled should continue in the future also so that the destination is achieved." Emphasizing the need to work more quickly to organise and unite the society, Bhagwat said that when the entire nation stands together, it will be able to remove all the evils of the world and become a 'Vishwa Guru'. (inputs from PTI)
MP govt declares Jan 22 as 'dry' day to mark Ayodhya temple consecration
The BJP government in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday declared January 22 as a 'dry' day when liquor shops will remain closed to mark the consecration of Lord Ram's temple in Ayodhya.
"On this day, there is a grand consecration program of Lord Shri Ram in Ayodhya. Keeping in view the public sentiments, we have decided that January 22 will be a dry day in the state. All types of shops including liquor, Bhang outlets will remain closed," Chief Minister Mohan Yadav posted on his official X account in the night.
He said January 22 is a very fortunate day for all of us.