22 January 2024, today marks the holy day when Ayodhyapati Shri Ram Lalla will be formally placed at his birthplace with immense devotion and joy all over India. The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi will commence the Pran Prathishta Ceremony at Ayodhya Ram Mandir, also known as the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, which is a Hindu temple located in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India. It holds immense significance in Hinduism as it is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama, a revered deity in Hindu mythology. The construction of the temple has been a subject of historical and religious contention for several decades.
The Babri Masjid, which has been the bone of contention over the years saw its demise in 1992, leading to communal tensions between religions. In 2019, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of constructing a Hindu temple at the site, allowing the construction of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir. It became a historical judgment where the court subsequently allocated an alternative plot for the mosque construction.
The Lord Rama idol is formally dedicated during Pran Prathishta, and ceremonies are held to call upon the divine presence within the temple. This ritual both signifies the sanctification of the temple and the end of construction. Meanwhile, at the Mahalakshmi Devi Kalyana Mandapam in Gokak, Belagavi district, about 3,000 women have garnered attention by reciting the Hanuman Chalisa 108 times at the same time. Rashtriya Sevika Samiti and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad were in charge of organizing the event. In order to invoke Lord Ram's blessings, thousands of women holding Rudraksha beads in their hands and dressed in similar colored garments chanted the Hanuman Chalisa mantra 108 times.
A holy Kalash Yatra took place on Sunday in Jamshedpur, showcasing a grand display of religious and cultural fervor. The pre-consecration festivities for the highly anticipated Ram Mandir in Ayodhya included a procession headed by women from Sonari Ram Mandir. Prominent figures such as RSS leader Abhay Kumar Samant, BJP leader Abhay Singh, and Jamshedpur MP Bidyut Baran Mahato attended the event. Jamshedpur's Kalash Yatra symbolizes the 'Jal Kalash Yatra', a vibrant spiritual event held in Ayodhya, that started from the banks of the Saryu River featuring women joyfully dancing and singing, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
In Shimla, devotees came together to take part in the Shobha Yatra procession. Men and women participated in the procession that went from the Kalibari temple to the Ram Mandir in Shimla. Leaders of the Congress and BJP both took part in the yatra in Shimla's streets together.
Many well-known artists and celebrities, sportspersons, prominent leaders, and devotees from around the world have come together to witness this auspicious day. Donations, helping in cleaning and decorating the birthplace of Ram Lalla have been made for his welcome. For millions of Hindus, the construction of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir and Pran Prathishta are significant moments in Indian history that represent the combination of tradition, faith, and legal resolution.
