Ram temple inaugurated in Ayodhya; PM Narendra Modi distributes 'prasad' after 'puja'

The UP CM said, "It's an emotional moment for all of us, it has come after a 500-year wait," adding the entire country is immersed in devotion of Lord Ram, it appears we have arrived in 'Treta Yug'.

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath says, "Now the streets of Ayodhya won't echo with gunshots. There will be no curfew. Now there will be Deepotsav and Ramotsav here. Shri Ram's name 'Sankirtan' will echo in the streets because the establishment of Ram Lalla here is the… pic.twitter.com/Kigqt3UVVm

— ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2024

#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi breaks his fast after the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony at the Shri Ram Janmaboomi Temple in Ayodhya. #RamMandirPranPrathistha pic.twitter.com/Zng1IHJ2FJ

— ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2024

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Shri Ram Janmaboomi Temple in Ayodhya

#RamMandirPranPrathistha pic.twitter.com/Ro3nbTqGZV

— ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2024

#WATCH | First visuals of the Ram Lalla idol at the Shri Ram Janmaboomi Temple in Ayodhya pic.twitter.com/E0VIhkWu4g

— ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2024

Army helicopters shower petals on Ayodhya temple as consecration ceremony takes place.

#WATCH | Indian Air Force (IAF) choppers shower flower petals over Shri Ram Janmaboomi Temple premises in Ayodhya as the idol of Ram Lalla is unveiled in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The air in the premises is filled with chants of 'Jai Sri Ram' by invitees who… pic.twitter.com/UsuBdQRCRz

— ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2024

Deviating from his party line, Himachal Pradesh minister Vikramaditya Singh, who is the son of state Congress chief Pratibha Singh, reached Ayodhya on Monday to attend the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple. Another Congress MLA from the state Sudhir Sharma also reached Ayodhya for the ceremony.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Shri Ram Janmaboomi Temple in Ayodhya#RamMandirAyodhya pic.twitter.com/1XzG8kAQxT

— ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2024

#WATCH | Aerial visuals of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya ahead of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony. pic.twitter.com/ZQClwph8MG

— ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2024

 The Supreme Court on Monday asked the authorities in Tamil Nadu to act in accordance with the law and not based on any oral instructions on "banning" special prayers and live telecast of the Ram temple consecration ceremony in all temples across the state.

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta, while hearing a plea seeking quashing of an "oral order" dated January 20 banning live telecast of the consecration ceremony at Ayodhya in temples across Tamil Nadu, said no one is bound to abide with the oral orders.

The bench took on record the statement of senior advocate Amit Anand Tiwari for Tamil Nadu that there are no restrictions on 'puja archana' in temples or live telecast of consecration ceremony at Ayodhya.  He said the plea is “politically motivated”.

#WATCH | Singer Sonu Nigam sings 'Ram Siya Ram' at Shri Ram Janmaboomi Temple in Ayodhya ahead of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony. pic.twitter.com/LAYHhu2AvX

— ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2024

Veteran BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani, who campaigned across the country for the Ram temple in Ayodhya, will not attend the Pran Pratishtha ceremony due to extreme cold weather.

It is being said that the decision has been taken keeping in view the health of 96-year-old Advani and due to extreme cold weather.

Earlier this month, RSS leaders Krishna Gopal and Ram Lal along with Vishwa Hindu Parishad's International Working President Alok Kumar had visited Advani's house and invited him for the Pran Pratishtha ceremony.

However, due to bad weather, Advani cancelled his Ayodhya visit programme at the last moment.

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath greets people as he arrives at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya

Ayodhya Ram Temple Pran Pratishtha ceremony is taking place today. #RamMandirPranPrathistha pic.twitter.com/eCxBLmkOVu

— ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2024

#WATCH | Ayodhya | Actor Anupam Kher says, "Today, I am representing lakhs of Kashmiri Hindus who had to leave their homes...Today Lord Ram is returning to his home and I hope we will also return soon. I went to Hanuman Garhi as well...People across the world are celebrating this… pic.twitter.com/9gO2gQmfZN

— ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2024

A multi-layer security cover is in place in Ayodhya for the consecration ceremony, with 10,000 CCTV cameras and drones equipped with artificial intelligence keeping an eye on the movement of people and police personnel in plain clothes deployed at the venue.

Movable barriers with barbed wires attached to them can be spotted at every prominent crossroad in the temple city, as police use them to regulate traffic, especially during VVIP movements.

Multiple NDRF teams trained to tackle chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear attacks, drowning incidents and disasters like earthquakes have been deployed.

While more than 7,000 people are on the list of invitees for the event, the select list features 506 A-listers.

The consecration rituals for the 'Pran Pratishtha' started from the Saryu river on January 16 and will be completed on Monday afternoon in the 'abhijeet muhurta', according to the trust.

Lakhs of people are expected to watch the event live on TV and online platforms as the central government has announced a half-day off on January 22 and many states followed suit.

Temples across the country have announced special festivities on the occasion.

From Washington DC to Paris to Sydney, events have been also planned in various parts of the world by either the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) or Hindu diaspora groups.

#WATCH | Indian diaspora in the United States offer prayers at Om Sri Sai Balaji Temple, Monroe in New Jersey ahead of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at Ram Temple in Ayodhya. pic.twitter.com/8olC2juYOm

— ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2024

#WATCH | Telangana | Telegu superstars Chiranjeevi and Ram Charan board a flight to Ayodhya from Hyderabad.

Ayodhya Ram Temple pranpratishtha ceremony is taking place today. pic.twitter.com/mx5pPvzlmH

— ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2024