In a historic moment eagerly awaited by Hindus worldwide, the Ayodhya Ram Mandir is set to be inaugurated on January 22, 2024. The birthplace of Lord Rama, Ayodhya, is preparing for a grand ceremony that will witness Prime Minister Narendra Modi consecrating the idol of Lord Ram lalla in the newly constructed temple.
The construction of the Ram Mandir has been a centuries-old aspiration, marred by disputes, particularly with the Babri Masjid. However, a pivotal moment came in 2019 when the Supreme Court of India granted land to the Ram Mandir Trust, enabling the construction to proceed.
The auspicious time for Pran Pratistha, the consecration of the idol, is set for a mere 84 seconds, from 12:29 minutes 8 seconds to 12:30 minutes 32 seconds. The selected Muhurta, advised by astrologer Pandit Ganeshwar Shastri Dravid, is considered the most accurate for this sacred ceremony.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the Ayodhya Ram Mandir on January 22. The guest list for the event, meticulously curated by the Trust, includes prominent figures such as the Dalai Lama, Baba Ramdev, industrialists Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani, actors Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, and others.
Champat Rai, the General Secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust, has confirmed that the idol of Lord Ram will be placed in the temple on January 22, marking the date of ‘Pran Pratishtha.’ The construction of the Ram Mandir, carried out by L&T Corporation at a budget of Rs 18,000 Crore, is expected to be completed by January 24, making it one of India’s architectural marvels and the world’s largest temple.
In light of the momentous occasion, the government has declared a half-day holiday for all central government offices on January 22. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has designated the consecration ceremony as a “rashtra utsav” (national festival) in Uttar Pradesh, with educational institutions observing a holiday and a prohibition on liquor sale.
This cultural and religious landmark is not limited to Ayodhya or Uttar Pradesh alone; it has garnered nationwide attention and acknowledgment. Several states, including Goa, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Tripura, Chandigarh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Puducherry, have announced holidays and restrictions to commemorate the Ayodhya Ram Temple ceremony. This widespread acknowledgment underscores the cultural significance of the event, transforming it into a national celebration.
As the countdown to January 22 begins, the Ayodhya Ram Mandir inauguration promises to be a momentous occasion deeply embedded in India’s cultural and religious heritage.