Devotees in the northern states of Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh, along with Union Territory Chandigarh, have joyously commenced processions and foot marches to welcome Shri Ram to Ayodhya. As part of the celebratory fervor, thousands of big screens and LEDs are being set up in all four regions to broadcast the live program of Shri Ram Pran-Pratishtha on Monday.
To facilitate the celebrations, Haryana has declared a half-day holiday until 2:30 pm, accompanied by a full-day dry day with closed liquor vends. In Chandigarh, the entire day has been declared a holiday. However, decisions regarding holidays in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab are yet to be finalized, prompting some school institutions to independently opt for closures. Numerous religious programs are scheduled across the states on January 22.
In Haryana, festivities include a live broadcast of the consecration in 15 thousand temples, recitations of Ramayana in schools, and a special cleanliness campaign. The government has also arranged for a grand display of the Ayodhya program in five major temples of Rewari. Punjab lights up for Ram Lalla’s arrival.
In Punjab, vibrant processions and marches are underway, with Amritsar witnessing children forming a human chain of Shri Ram. Padyatras, starting from Hallgate and traversing till Durgyana Temple, are being organized today. Big screens and LED displays are being installed across cities for devotees to witness the live Pran Pratishtha program. Langar arrangements and grand lamp garlands are set in temples, with more than 1 lakh lamps to be lit in Shri Devi Talab Temple of Jalandhar.
Moreover, the Punjab Private School Association has declared a holiday in private schools across the state, allowing students and staff to participate in the festive celebrations.
Chandigarh adorns itself for the occasion
Chandigarh is adorned with grand decorations at intersections, with the administration declaring a holiday on January 22. The city will host various programs in markets, along with big screens at temples, displaying the live Ayodhya program. Chandigarh-based Panjab University has also declared a holiday for the day. Jammu and Kashmir declares half-Day holiday and ‘dry day’ for Ayodhya Ram temple consecration
In honor of the momentous Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has announced a half-day holiday and declared a ‘dry day’ on January 22. The orders come as a mark of respect for the significant religious event taking place in Ayodhya.
An official order issued by Commissioner Secretary General Administration Department (GAD), Sanjeev Verma, stated, “It is hereby ordered that a half-day public holiday (till 02:30 pm) shall be observed on January 22 in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.” This decision aligns with the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (Department of Personnel & Training) granting a half-day holiday to central government employees for the Ayodhya consecration event. In addition to the half-day holiday, the administration declared a ‘Dry Day’ on January 22, during which liquor shops will remain closed for 36 hours. Excise Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma issued an order stating, “Dry Day is hereby declared on the 22nd day of January in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. No sale of liquor shall be allowed from the retail vends on this day in the Union territory.”
The order specifies that all wine shops and off-premises vends will close at 9 pm on Sunday, January 21, and reopen at 9 am on January 23. Similarly, vends and bars in hotels, restaurants, clubs, and banquets have been instructed to close at 11 pm on January 21 and resume operations at 10 am on January 23.
Furthermore, any permissions previously granted for serving liquor to establishments or private individuals for social occasions on January 22 are to be considered canceled ab initio, according to the order. These measures aim to ensure a respectful and peaceful observation of the Ayodhya Ram temple consecration ceremony in Jammu and Kashmir.