Grand celebrations planned for Ram Temple consecration in UP, festivities to commence on January 14 and will continue for 45 days.

One and a half months grand festivals announced for the installation of life in the deities of Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi Temple.

The Yogi administration said that bhajan-kirtan will start in all the temples and mathas in Uttra Pradesh  from January 14. The artists of the state will be in charge of those devotional programmes.

Upendra Bharti | HENB | Ayodhya | Dec 1, 2023:: On January 22, 2024 the Prana Pratistha– consecration of the deities (installation of life in the idols) of Ram Darbar ( Lord Rama with Mother Sita and his brothers and Hanuman Ji) in Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir is going to be performed. The idol of Ram Lala (infant Lord Rama) will also be brought to the newly built Ram Janmabhoomi temple from the make shift temple and will be placed in its original position on the same day.  For this auspicious programme, Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh is going to undertake special religious programs from January 14 to take the passion for the construction of Ram Mandir to a peak. Besides, it has been decided that the festival will be celebrated in the entire state on 22nd January.

The Yogi administration said that bhajan-kirtan (singing of holy lyrics devoted to God) will start in all the temples and muths of the state from January 14. The artists of the state will perform for this devotional feat. Ramcharitmanas and Hanumanchalisha will be recited in temples on January 22, the day of Prana Pratistha. Rama Bhajan will also be sung. That day will be observed as a special festival day in the state. The Uttar Pradesh administration is also thinking about declaring a public holiday on that day.

To facilitate these celebrations, local artists affiliated with the Uttar Pradesh Tourism and Culture Council in each district will present programmes.

UP tourism Minister Singh emphasised that, through the District Tourism and Culture Council in every district, local artists will engage in recitations of Ramcharitmanas and Hanuman Chalisa from Makar Sankranti until the consecration of Ramlala on January 22. The state culture department is preparing for these events. Mr. Singh told this in a press meet held on Nov 29.

Even after January 22, the temple authorities have undertaken several religious programs for about one and a half months. From what is clear, it has planned to incite Hindu sentiments by creating an atmosphere of serial religious events in front of Ram Mandir in states like Uttar Pradesh for a further Hindutva advancement. Obviously, by polarizing the Hindu votes, the BJP can do well in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections with a Hindutva wave generated from the completion of Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

The BJP has taken a strategy of inciting new religious sentiments around the Ram temple in the entire cow belts in and around Uttar Pradesh. In view of the establishment of Ram Mandir, saffron sides have taken many plans for good results in states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan.  BJP, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and other wings of Sangh Parivar are now moving ahead with plans to bring residents from  these  states to visit the Ram temple virtually free of charge, with the aim of polarizing the Hindu vote. BJP thinks that as the wind of Hindutva rises across the country with the construction of Ram temple, it will be easier to suppress all the hardiships of the government and get good results in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Built at an estimated cost of ₹1,800 crore, the architectural marvel by the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is designed to withstand earthquakes and endure for over a millennium. Under the guidance of Trust General Secretary Champat Rai, the temple boasts impressive features. A notable aspect in the construction is that iron bars have not been used, instead, copper chips intricately join the stones. With a dimension of 350×250 ft, the temple encompasses 392 pillars and 12 doors, showcasing meticulous craftsmanship, according to reports.

The temple’s entry gates—12 in total—are crafted from teak wood, while the majestic ‘Singh Dwar’ on the first floor serves as the main entrance, leading to pavilions.

As finishing touches are being applied to this cultural gem, the Ram temple is set to stand as a symbol of architectural brilliance and religious significance for generations to come.

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__Inputs from CNBC TV18, News18 Click and Aaj Tak.