Ayodhya Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha Ceremony To Be Held Today (Image: X @ShriRamTeerth)
The Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya will be held today, January 22. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the grand consecration ceremony, which will begin at 12.20 p.m. and is expected to end by 1 p.m. The Ram temple will be opened for “darshan” to the general public on January 23.
Around 7,000 VVIPs from across the country are expected to attend the event in Uttar Pradesh. This includes actors, sportspersons, industrialists, and politicians. Notably, the pre-Pran Pratistha rituals started on January 16 and ended on January 21. The Ram Temple Trust has asked people to take part in the grand ceremony virtually, as the event will be broadcast live across several cities in India. As part of the event, the entire temple complex is adorned with lights and flowers. The idol of Ram Lalla, carved by Mysuru-based sculptor Arun Yogiraj, has been placed inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. The idol of “Ram Lalla” is 51 inches tall and weighs 1.5 tonnes.
Security measures have been strengthened in the city ahead of the event. Ayodhya has virtually turned into a fortress, with patrolling being done on land, water, and air by the security forces. Notably, a valid invitation card, pass, or identity card issued to the local people is mandatory to enter Ayodhya. There will also be anti-drone systems and CCTV cameras to monitor activities across the location. According to an India Today report, snipers from the National Security Guard have also been deployed at strategic points in Ayodhya as part of multi-layer security. Special DG Prashant Kumar told ANI that extensive security arrangements have been put in place, including traffic diversions from surrounding districts.
On Sunday, PM Narendra Modi said that the “historic moment” of the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple will enrich the Indian heritage and culture and take India”s development journey to new heights. PM Modi made this statement on X handle as a response to President Droupadi Murmu”s two-page letter to him ahead of the ceremony.
