As the highly anticipated consecration ceremony of the Ram Lalla temple approaches on January 22, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai shared a glimpse of the sanctum sanctorum’s final stages.
On Saturday, Rai unveiled images of the nearly completed sanctum sanctorum on X platform, announcing, “The sanctum sanctorum of Lord Shri Ram Lalla is almost ready. Recently, the lighting fitting work has also been completed. Sharing some photographs with you.”
The construction of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple, diligently overseen by the Trust, has been progressing smoothly. Rai disclosed earlier that a 4foot 3inch' idol depicting the 5-year-old child form of Lord Ram is nearing completion at three locations in Ayodhya.
“At Ram Janmabhoomi temple, a 90 per cent ready idol is being constructed on three different pieces of stone by three artisans. The finishing touches will take about a week,” Rai said.
“The idol will be installed in the ‘grabhagriha’ on the ground floor, which is nearly completed, ensuring a seamless Pran Pratishtha ceremony,” he added.
Rai said that 21 Vedic acharyas from Kashi would perform the consecration of the Ram temple. The throne for Lord Ram Lalla, eight feet long and four feet wide, is ready, with the final touch of a gold layer pending.
“The Trust is making meticulous preparations to enshrine Ram Lalla on this golden throne during the Pran Pratishtha ceremony,” he said.
Invitations have been extended to over 7,000 guests, including 3,000 VVIPs, comprising priests, donors and various political figures. The guest list includes representatives from Kedarnath, Badrinath, Baba Vishwanath Dham and Vaishno Devi temple, who have been invited to witness the historic event. While the participation of priests from major temples remains uncertain, representatives from these temples are expected to attend the consecration ceremony.
“To accommodate the influx of devotees expected for the Pran Pratishtha ceremony on January 22, several tent cities are being established in the temple town,” Rai said.
As the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is making preparation for the upcoming grand consecration ceremony of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple, the entire city of Ayodhya is undergoing a rejuvenation process as the key routes leading to the temple will adorned with captivating depictions of significant episodes from the Ramayana period.
The Ayodhya Development Authority (ADA) has initiated the adornment of walls along the major roads leading to Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple with terracotta fine clay mural artifacts. As part of this endeavour, the ADA is inviting applications to engage potential agencies through a Request for Proposal.
In another development, 600 kilograms of desi ghee has arrived at Kar Sevak Puram in Ayodhya from Jodhpur’s Goshala. This ghee is set to be used in the auspicious aarti during the consecration of Rama Lalla’s idol.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to grace the inauguration, performing rituals in the sanctum sanctorum around 12:15 pm during the pran pratishtha. The foundation stone for the Ram temple was laid by Prime Minister Modi on August 5, 2020, marking a historic milestone in Ayodhya’s spiritual landscape.