Ayodhya Ram Mandir Highlights: 14 couples from across country to be 'Yajmans' for consecration ceremony

Delhi government offices will remain closed for half a day on January 22 on the occasion of the Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya.

The consecration ceremony of the Ram Lalla idol in Ayodhya will be held on January 22 with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several other dignitaries in attendance.

A Raj Niwas official said that Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena has approved a half-day holiday for all Delhi government offices, civic bodies and other undertakings on January 22 on account of the "Pran Pratishtha" ceremony in Ayodhya.

Govt has asked media outlets, social media platforms to refrain from publishing false, manipulated content related to Ram Temple event ahead of its consecration event.

With just 48 hours to the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony at the Ram Temple on January 22, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has set up a camp near the shrine in Ayodhya to respond to contingencies, if any.
Speaking to ANI on Saturday, Manoj Kumar Sharma, the deputy inspector general of police, NDRF, shared details of the deployment of the rescue personnel in the temple town ahead of the big day.

"Three NDRF teams have been deployed here ahead of the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony on January 22. The deployment has been done in coordination with the local administration and police. One of our teams has been deployed at the ghats. We are ready to deal with all sorts of contingencies," Sharma told ANI on Saturday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi who visited Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple today was presented with a gift by the priests to be taken to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

On behalf of the presiding priests at the ancient temple in Tamil Nadu's Tiruchirappalli, the Prime Minister was given a present in a basket which to be taken to the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

Meanwhile, PM Modi on Saturday listened to verses from 'Kambaramayanam', the 12th-century epic written by Tamil poet Kambar.

As the Delhi Government has announced a three-day grand Ramlila for the residents of Delhi, starting on Saturday, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal appealed to the people to attend the event.

The Delhi CM, in a post on X, announced that he will attend the Ramlila on Sunday.

"I will go for Ramlila tomorrow on Sunday. You should also take out time and go with your family," Kejriwal said.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Saturday said the construction of a new Ram temple in Ayodhya was a step forward towards `Akhand Bharat' or undivided India. If God wishes, Akhand Bharat will extend as far as Afghanistan, he said at a mass Hanuman Chalisa chanting event here. The event in Bairagarh area was organised ahead of the consecration of the temple in Ayodhya on January 22. "It is God's will that the construction of Lord Ram's temple should definitely be a big step towards `Akhand Bharat'," Yadav said, addressing the gathering.

The Railways has allocated three special trains to Tripura for ferrying people to Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh to offer prayers in the Ram temple, a BJP Yuva Morcha leader said on Saturday.

The three special trains were given to the northeastern state after Chief Minister Manik Saha wrote to Railways Minister Ashwani Vaishnaw to provide special trains from Agartala to Ayodhya.

"The Railways has allocated three special trains for Ram Bhakts of the state to visit Ayodhya and offer prayers to Lord Ram. The three trains will leave the state for Ayodhya on January 31, February 21 and 27", BJP Tripura Yuva Morcha general secretary Rana Ghosh told PTI.

Here is a video of the ongoing preparations at the Ram janmbhoomi temple in Ayodhya. The consecration ceremony is set to take place on January 22.

Ayodhya Police on Saturday cautioned people against increasing cyber crimes in the city ahead of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony, reported news agency ANI.

The police highlighted that cybercriminals are taking advantage of people's faith and committing fraud by sending fake QR codes to collect donations in the name of the temple, in the name of distributing free prasad to the common people, giving VIP pass and entry pass to visit the temple and even by creating a fake website in the name of Ayodhya's Ram Mandir.

A PSU bank has named its new branch that opened on Thursday in a building along the Ram Path in Ayodhya, as 'Ramjanmabhoomi' branch, reported news agency PTI.

Notably, the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Lord Ram Lalla will take place on January 22. Popular cricketers, film stars, industrialists, representatives from various countries are expected to attend the auspicious event.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) president Alok Kumar has revealed that the Kashmiri muslims gifted 2kg of organically produced pure saffron to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, reported news agency ANI. Kumar handed over the gift to the 'Yajman' of Shri Ram Temple Anil Mishra.

"Muslim brothers and sisters from Kashmir came to meet me and expressed their happiness at the construction of Ram temple, and said that even though we follow different religions, our ancestors are the same. They said that Lord Ram is one of their favourite ancestors. They handed over 2kg of organically produced pure saffron from Kashmir. I am handing it over to the 'Yajman' of Shri Ram Temple Anil Mishra," said Kumar.

Kumar also revealed that silk manufacturers from Tamil Nadu have sent a silk bedsheet depicting the Shri Ram temple.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) president Alok Kumar has revealed that water from Afghanistan's Kubha river has been sent as gift to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, reported news agency ANI.

"Water of Kubha (Kabul) river from Afghanistan has been sent for the 'Abhishek' of Shri Ram. I am donating this to the trust as well," said Kumar.

On Saturday, World's largest lock, weighing 400 kg, and 1,265 kg of laddu Prasad reached Ayodhya as offerings by ardent devotees to the temple. Notably, the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Lord Ram Lalla will take place on January 22.

Shri Ram's childhood pictures adorn the gate from where invitees will enter the Shri Ram Temple on 22nd January for the Pran Pratishtha ceremony.

Ahead of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22, the city has been decked up with saffron flags, huge cut outs of Lord Ram and posters bearing religious slogans like "Shubh Ghadi Aayi", "Taiyar hai Ayodhya dham, virajenge Shree Ram", reported news agency PTI.

In the vicinity of temples in the city, loudspeakers have been installed which are playing continuous chants of 'Siya Ram' and 'Jai Siya Ram'.

Here are the scenes from Ayodhya's Ram Path ahead of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22.

In an interaction with news agency ANI, Ram Temple head priest Acharya Satyendra Das has said the picture of Ram Lalla idol with the deity's eyes open, is false. He emphasised that the eyes of Ram Lalla idol will not be opened before the Pran Pratishtha ceremony is complete.

In a series of tweets on X(formerly Twitter), Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister's office highlighted how the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22, is an opportunity to introduce the state's hospitality culture.

"People from all over the world are going to come to Ayodhya. The behaviour of the policemen posted here will affect the image of the state. In such a situation, they should be counselled. This long-awaited ceremony of Pran Pratishtha of the child-like idol of Ram Lalla is an opportunity to introduce Uttar Pradesh with its hospitality culture. Efforts should be made to make Shri Ayodhya Dham free from single-use plastic. In the Pran Pratishtha event, there is a programme of showering flowers on the 'Navya-Divya-Bhavya temple. Given this, communicate or coordinate with the officials of the Trust and the Air Force. Do not allow traffic on the old bridge of the Saryu River. Keep water police active in the Saryu River," CM Yogi said as quoted by news agency ANI.

Here is how Hanuman Garhi Temple in Ayodhya looks amid excitement in the city for the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Temple to be held on January 22.

Delhi University and the Jamia Millia Islamia and its schools will be closed for half day till 2.30 pm on January 22 on account of the Ram temple consecration in Ayodhya, reported news agency PTI.

However, all pre-scheduled examinations and meetings in both universities will be held as usual.

Notably, all central government offices across the country will also remain closed for half-day on January 22.

Ahead of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22, Shankaracharya Swami Sadanand Saraswati has highlighted the importance of the auspicious event. He highlighted how devotees have been waiting for his great moment for around 400-500 years.

" ...It is happening after consistent efforts over time. After around 400-500 years, this moment has come," the Shankaracharya was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

"Big fights were fought, and war happened...Invaders attacked our religion and ruined our religion," he added.

Numerous temples across the United States are getting ready to commemorate the consecration of Ram Temple in Ayodhya. It is expected that several Indian Americans will be participating in a range of events commencing this week.

“Ayodhya is re-emerging from destruction and neglect, epitomising the eternal nature of Sanātana Dharma. The upcoming consecration at Ram Lalla Mandir after 550 years is bringing immense joy to the city and nearly a billion Hindus across the world,” Kalyan Viswanathan, president of the Hindu University of America said in a blog post.

The consecration ceremony at the Ayodhya temple will be held on January 22.

The Delhi government on Friday announced it will organise a three-day Ramlila from Saturday ahead of the Ram Temple consecration ceremony. A Delhi government statement said that the special Ramlila that will go on till January 22 at the Pearey Lal Auditorium near ITO is free for everyone. The 'Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra' will present the three-hour Ramlila performance from 4 pm to 7 pm.

One of the expensive Ramayanas, which cost ₹1.65 lakh, reached Ayodhya. In line with the Ram Temple, the outer box of the holy book has three floors made of American walnut wood. The ink used has been imported from Japan and the paper is made in France.

"We have reached here with our beautiful Ramayana here in the tent city of Ayodhya. It has so many qualities and is the world's most expensive Ramayana…You can say the most beautiful Ramayana is in Ayodhya. Its worth is ₹1.65 lakh" Manoj Sati, a bookseller who reached the temple town with the Ramayana, said.