Central government offices will observe a half-day holiday on January 22 in light of the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, as announced by Union Minister Jitendra Singh. The decision to close central government offices for half the day is made to accommodate the overwhelming sentiments surrounding the event.
Minister Jitendra Singh explained, “The Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha at Ayodhya will be celebrated on 22nd January 2024 across India. To enable employees to participate in the celebrations, it has been decided that all central government offices, central institutions, and central industrial establishments throughout India will be closed for half a day until 14:30 hours on 22nd January 2024.” The directive was issued to all central government ministries and departments.
The pran-pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Temple is scheduled for 12:30 pm on January 22, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and various dignitaries present. The ceremonial events commenced at the Ayodhya temple complex on January 16, a week before the main ceremony, with specific rituals conducted daily leading up to the pran-pratishtha.