The rituals ahead of the Ram Mandir consecration ceremony in Ayodhya will began on Tuesday, January 16, at 9:30 am. The “Pran Pratishtha” (consecration ceremony) will be organised on January 22 and it will begin at 12:20 pm.
A new idol of Ram Lalla sculpted by Mysuru-based Arun Yogiraj has been selected for installation at the temple, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra temple trust general secretary Champat Rai said.
Rai said the idol depicts the deity as a five-year-old boy in standing posture and added that “on January 18, the idol will be placed at its ‘aasan’ in ‘garbh griha’ (sanctum sanctorum)”. The new idol whose consecration ceremony will be done is made of stone and “in my assessment it weighs somewhere between 150-200 kgs”, he said.
On the auspicious occasion, prime minister Narendra Modi wrote on Twitter, “This rendition by Sivasri Skandaprasad in Kannada beautifully highlights the spirit of devotion to Prabhu Shri Ram. Such efforts go a long way in preserving our rich cultural heritage”.
As per the Trust, the following rituals will be done till January 22.
16th January: Prayaschita and Karmakuti Poojan, 17th January: Parisar Pravesh of the Murti, 18th January (Evening): Teerth Poojan, Jal Yatra, and Gandhadhivas, 19th January (Morning): Aushadhadhivas, Kesaradhivas, Ghritadhivas, 19th January (Evening): Dhanyadhivas, 20th January (Morning): Sharkaradhivas, Phaladhivas, 20th January (Evening): Pushpadhivas, 21st January (Morning): Madhyadhivas, 21st January (Evening): Shaiyadhivas
Meanwhile, the maiden bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and Royal Thai Navy has been named ‘Ex-Ayutthaya’, which symbolises the significance of two of the oldest cities — Ayodhya in India and Ayutthaya in Thailand. Both these cities have rich cultural ties and shared historical narratives dating back to several centuries.
‘Ex-Ayutthaya’, which translates to ‘the invincible one’ or ‘undefeatable’, was conducted from December 20-23, 2023. Indigenously built Indian naval ships Kulish and IN-LCU 56 participated in the inaugural edition of the exercise. The Royal Thai Navy was represented by His Thai Majesty’s Ship (HTMS) Prachuap Khiri Khan.
Join our whatsapp group for Latest updates