Ayodhya, January 18, 2024: In a profoundly significant event, the sacred Ram Lalla idol, a masterful creation by Karnataka's Arun Yogiraj, embarked on a majestic journey into the heart of the Ram Mandir complex during the second day of meticulously planned pre-consecration ceremonies.
The 51-inch-tall idol, meticulously sculpted to portray Lord Ram as a five-year-old, balancing the aura of regality and the charm of childlike innocence, was ceremoniously transported to its destined abode in Ayodhya via a truck provided by Vivek Srishti Trust.
Commencing the day's proceedings with utmost devotion, a special Puja unfolded at the sanctum sanatorium, setting the spiritual stage for the idol's installation within the garbha griha on Thursday, as confirmed by Shri Ram Mandir Construction Committee Chairperson Nripendra Mishra. This moment marks the auspicious initiation of the idol's residency within the temple precincts.
With the pran-pratishtha ceremony slated for January 22, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is poised to play a pivotal role as the chief yajman, overseeing the consecration of the divine idol. Meanwhile, Dr Anil Mishra, a distinguished member of the Trust, stands as the chief yajman orchestrating the intricate pre-consecration rituals.
The sacred rituals have witnessed an outpouring of fervent devotion, exemplified by the Jal Kalash Yatra on Wednesday, where a gathering of over 500 women actively participated. They filled pots with water from the sacred Saryu river, symbolizing the divine consecration of the temple.
The journey towards this historic moment began on Tuesday with the initiation of various rituals, culminating in Wednesday's Kalash Yatra and the ceremonial entry of the idol into the temple complex. Notably, a separate Ram Lalla idol, distinct from the one destined for the sanctum sanctorum, traversed the hallowed grounds, symbolizing the broader spiritual resonance within the Ram Mandir.
In a delightful convergence of past and present, revered actors from the timeless television serial Ramayan—Arun Govil, Sunil Lahiri, and Deepika Chikhalia—graced Ayodhya on Wednesday. Their purpose: to capture the essence of the moment through the lens of their upcoming album 'Hamare Ram Aayenge,' a nostalgic tribute to the significance of this epochal event.
Highlighting the gravity of this historic occasion, the Bar Council of India (BCI) has formally petitioned Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud to declare a national holiday across all courts on January 22. This collective acknowledgment seeks to honor the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya as a momentous chapter in the nation's cultural and spiritual tapestry.
As the anticipation mounts and the rhythmic cadence of rituals echoes through Ayodhya, the unfolding ceremonies lay the sacred groundwork for an epoch-defining moment on January 22—a day that will etch itself into the annals of history as the formal consecration of the Ram temple, with Prime Minister Modi at the helm of this divine journey.