THE consecration of ‘Raja Ram’ - Lord Ram in his royal form - along with the installation of idols in eight newly-built temples inside the Ram Janmabhoomi complex was held on Thursday in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The ritual was the second major consecration ceremony at the temple, the first being that of Ram Lalla on January 22, 2024, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The ceremony took place during the ‘Abhijit Muhurat’, considered one of the most auspicious moments in the Hindu calendar. The consecration of the deities began with prayers at the ‘yajna mandap’ at 6:30 am, followed by a ‘havan’ at 9 am, which lasted an hour. Thereafter, centralised rituals began simultaneously across all temple shrines, aided by visual technology like cameras and large screens, ensuring synchronicity of the ceremonies.

 

According to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, among the deities consecrated were Shri Ram Darbar (central installation), Sheshavatar, Lord Shiva in the northeast (Ishan) corner, Lord Ganesha in the southeast (Agni) corner, Lord Hanuman at the southern wing, Surya (Sun God) in the southwest (Nairitya) corner, Goddess Bhagwati in the northwest (Vayavya) corner and Goddess Annapurna in the northern wing. The city was festooned and lit up as priests gathered at the first floor of the Ram Temple to install the almost five-feet white marbled statue of ‘Raja Ram’, amid the chanting of hymns and elaborate rituals. The Ram Darbar also features the idols of Sita, Lakshman, Bharat, Shatrughn and Hanuman. The day, chosen to coincide with the occasion of Ganga Dussehra, comes 16 months after the consecration of Ram Lalla. Adityanath offered prayers at the Ram Temple, had darshan of the ‘Ram Darbar’ on the first floor, and visited Hanumangarhi temple nearby.

 

“Today, in the holy birthplace of Lord Shri Ram, Ayodhya Dham, we are getting the great fortune of becoming a witness to the programme organised for the Pran-Pratishtha of the holy idols of Gods in the eight temples including Shri Ram Darbar on the first floor of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple,” he posted on X. Proud and historic moment: PM Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said Ayodhya has witnessed another proud and historic moment following the consecration of ‘Ram Darbar’ -- Lord Rama in his royal form -- along with the installation of idols in eight newly built temples inside the Ram Janmabhoomi complex.

 

The ritual was the second major consecration ceremony at the temple, the first being that of Ram Lalla on January 22, 2024, in the presence of the Prime Minister. In a post on X, Modi said the auspicious occasion of the consecration of the divine and grand ‘Ram Darbar’ will fill the devotees of Ram with devotion and joy. The PM said he hopes that Lord Ram bestows his blessings of happiness, health and prosperity upon the countrymen.