NEW DELHI: Ayodhya witnessed an overwhelming surge of devotees on Tuesday morning as the majestic Ram Mandir opened its doors for worshippers following the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony of Lord Ram.
Devotees from near and far began gathering as early as 3 am to catch a glimpse of the new Ram Lalla idol on the inaugural morning after the consecration ceremony, as per reports. The ‘Pran Pratishtha’ of Ram temple in Ayodhya was a spectacle of jubilation, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally conducting the main rituals, joined by a select group of officiating priests.
On Monday night, a considerable number of devotees, comprising both locals and visitors from different states, congregated near the main gateway along the Ram Path leading to the temple complex, eagerly awaiting entry. Amid the growing crowd at the ceremonial gateway, adorned for the consecration ceremony, the police informed devotees that the temple would officially open to the public on Tuesday.
For those seeking a darshan of Lord Ram Lalla, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra website has designated specific time slots, with morning hours from 7 am to 11:30 am and an afternoon slot from 2 pm to 7 pm. The ‘aarti’ timings, including jagran/shringar at 6:30 am and sandhya aarti at 7:30 pm, were also highlighted. Passes for the ‘aarti’ can be obtained both online and offline, with offline passes available at the camp office at Shri Ram Janmbhoomi, requiring valid government identity proof.
The ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony of Lord Ram took place at 12:29 pm on Monday, culminating in a seven-day ritual that commenced on January 16. The ceremony attracted attendees from diverse backgrounds, including representatives of various tribal communities and prominent spiritual leaders. Constructed in the traditional Nagara style, Ram temple in Ayodhya spans 380 feet in length (east-west) and 250 feet in width. Towering 161 feet above the ground, it is supported by a total of 392 pillars and features 44 doors. The temple’s pillars and walls showcase meticulously sculpted depictions of Hindu deities, gods, and goddesses.
In the innermost sanctum of the Ram Mandir, a youthful Lord Ram is enshrined. Despite the chilly weather, devotees were also spotted taking a dip in the Saryu River adjacent to the temple premises.