Ram Temple event to kick off on musical note, key ritual to be 35-minute affair

Aksheev Thakur

New Delhi, January 21

From the Surya Dwar, the main entrance to Ram Janmabhoomi, to the temple, the streetlights and walkways have been decked up with murals inspired from Ramayana ahead of the consecration ceremony. Lamp posts have been designed with traditional “Ramanandi tilak” motifs.

On January 22, Laxmi Kant Dixit, a priest from Varanasi, will commence the “pran pratishtha” ceremony at 12.20 pm and it is expected to conclude by 12.55 pm.

Several events and rituals have been lined up for the consecration ceremony. The temple trust informed that the ceremony on Monday will be marked by a dazzling musical event titled ‘Mangal Dhwani’, which will start at 10 am.

“Witness over 50 exquisite instruments from different states come together for this auspicious occasion, resonating for nearly two hours. Orchestrated by Ayodhya’s own Yatindra Mishra, this grand musical rendition is supported by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi. This magnificent musical programme represents a momentous occasion for every Indian, bringing together diverse traditions in celebration and honour of Prabhu Shri Ram,” the temple’s trust wrote on X.

The VIPs attending the ceremony will be given “mahaprasad”. More than 20,000 packets of “mahaprasad” will be handed over to the Trust for the guests after the ceremony.

While PM Narendra Modi will be the chief yajman at the consecration ceremony, 14 couples from the north, east, west, south and northeast of India will also be present.

Yajaman refers to the person who performs a religious ritual or ceremony, particularly a yajna (sacrificial ritual). “Prana Pratishtha will be conducted in the presence of PM Narendra Modi, Sarsanghchalak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Mohan Bhagwat, Governor of UP Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister of UP Yogi Adityanath, and other dignitaries,” the trust informed.

Actors, including Rajanikant, Randeep Hooda, Kangana Ranaut, Shefali Shah and former cricketer Anil Kumble arrived in Ayodhya on Sunday. Security has been beefed up in Ayodhya with around 13,000 forces deployed.