First Glimpse of New Lord Ram Idol Inside Ayodhya Temple - Yes, the brand-new idol of Lord Ram has been installed inside the Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya. The installation took place on Thursday, setting the stage for the grand consecration ceremony scheduled for January 22. The initial image of the idol, crafted from black stone, showcases Lord Ram in the form of a five-year-old child standing gracefully.
Crafted by the skilled hands of Mysuru-based artist Arun Yogiraj, the 51-inch idol had its face veiled during the placement ceremony earlier today, accompanied by the chanting of prayers.
Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to participate in the 'pran pratishtha' or consecration ceremony on January 22. The event marks the crucial step of infusing the idol with divine consciousness, a prerequisite for every idol worshipped in a temple. The Ram temple is expected to open to the public the following day.
In a special message, Prime Minister Modi has requested the public not to visit Ayodhya on January 22, emphasizing a desire to avoid causing any disturbances to Lord Ram. Instead, he encourages everyone to visit starting from January 23 and has urged Indians across the nation to light a diya in their homes on January 22.
The temple trust has extended invitations to over 11,000 guests, including cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, as well as Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan. The ceremony will also witness the presence of all temple trust trustees, seers from approximately 150 sects, and more than 500 individuals associated with the temple's construction, collectively known as the "Engineer Group."
As the rituals leading up to the consecration ceremony unfold at the temple, believed by many to mark the birthplace of Lord Ram, sources reveal that Prime Minister Modi is meticulously observing a set of rules and rituals. It is reported that the Prime Minister is choosing to sleep on the floor with only a blanket and is sustaining himself with coconut water.
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