Countdown to the divine unveiling: Preparations underway for grand Ram temple consecration ceremony

New Delhi: The extensive seven-day rituals are set to begin on January 16, in the lead-up to the much-awaited consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla’s idol at the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22. The religious ceremony leading to ‘Pran Pratishtha’ (Abhishek) will be led by Laxmikant Dixit, a Varanasi-based Vedic scholar who specializes in the performance of “Karma Kand” or rituals, officials of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust announced. Will be conducted by a group of priests.

The date and time of the ritual was decided by Varanasi astrologer Ganeshwar Shastri Dravid, who had earlier played a key role in scheduling the Ram Mandir Bhoomi Pujan ceremony in 2020. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the temple on January 22.

Explaining the significance of the ritual, Acharya Satyendra Das, chief priest of the Ram temple, said, “It is a ritual in which life and energy is created in an idol by praying to God. Before the final ritual, the ‘nine planets’ Earth, “Prayers are offered to all the gods and goddesses including water and fire. Finally, ‘Pran Pratishtha’ mantras are chanted.”

During the consecration, only a few select persons, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Governor Anandi Ben Patel, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and a priest, are likely to be present inside the “Garbhagriha” or sanctum sanctorum.

The extensive seven-day ritual includes various ceremonies such as ‘Vishnu Puja,’ ‘Cow Daan,’ a city tour to the idol (‘Nagar Dhuraan’), prayers to Ganesha and Varuna, ‘Nav Griha Shanti Havan’ to appease all. ‘ planet, washing the sanctum sanctorum of the temple with Saryu water, ‘Vastu Shanti’ ritual, and preparation of the throne for the installation of the idol.

The concluding day, January 22, will see a series of prayers and rituals in the morning, culminating in the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ during the auspicious “Abhijeet Muhurta” at 12:30 pm. After the ceremony, the idol will be adorned with jewellery, a crown and gold-threaded clothes, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the Ram temple.

Ritual Schedule:

16 January: The holy journey begins with a symbolic touch on the embankment of the Saryu River, starting with the auspicious act of “Vishnu Puja” and “Gau Daan”.

17 January: The idol of Ram Lalla goes on a royal “Shobha Yatra” or city tour, in which Saryu water is filled in an urn and taken to the temple.

January 18: Devotees will participate in the worship of Ganesha and Varuna along with other sacred rituals including chanting of mantras at the temple.

January 19: An important “Nav Griha Shanti Havan” will grace the temple site, in which harmony and blessings from the divine bodies will be sought.

January 20: The sanctum sanctorum of the temple will undergo purification ceremony with the holy water of Saryu, along with prayers for “Vastu Shanti”.

January 21: To prepare for the important installation of the idol, Ram Lalla’s throne will be ceremonially cleaned, which will be decorated with Saryu water from 125 kalashas.

January 22: The peak of prayers and rituals will begin in the morning, culminating with the consecrated “Pran Pratishtha” during the auspicious “Abhijit Muhurat” at 12:30 pm.