In a significant announcement, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has declared January 22, 2024, a public holiday for money markets in connection with the Ayodhya Ram Temple consecration event.
This decision also extends to public sector banks, insurance companies, financial institutions, and regional rural banks, which will remain closed for half a day on Monday.
The Department of Personnel and Training has issued an order, applying the half-day closure until 2:30 pm to all central government offices, central institutions, and central industrial establishments. The move aims to allow employees to participate in the 'Pran Pratishtha' celebrations of Ram Lalla.
This decision was prompted by numerous requests from employees nationwide seeking time off to partake in the ceremony. A government official noted that various activities have been planned by organizations and groups across India and abroad to coincide with the event.
The focal point of the ceremony is the 'pran pratishtha' of Lord Ram, scheduled for January 22 in Ayodhya. Plans include live broadcasts of the ceremony on big screens in public locations within India and abroad, including the iconic Times Square in New York City.
The consecrated idol of Lord Ram is a 51-inch Krishna Shila (black stone) statue, chosen for its childlike attributes. Adorned with a sacred thread (Yagopavit), the idol will be placed on a lotus-shaped platform within the temple's Garbh Grah. The previous Ram Lalla statue, revered for decades at the makeshift temple, will stand in front of the new idol and be referred to as 'Utsav Ram.'
This momentous event marks a significant milestone in the cultural and religious landscape, drawing attention not only nationally but also globally with live streaming planned at prominent international locations.