grand Celebrations for the consecration of the ram mandir
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust has extended invitations to representatives from 50 countries for the historic consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple scheduled for January 22, 2024. This ceremony comes more than three years after Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone in August 2020. The confirmed date for the consecration has set the stage for the event, taking place at the newly constructed Ram Temple in the sacred town of Ayodhya. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust has opted to initiate the consecration process of Ram Lalla after Makar Sankranti on January 14. They plan to observe a 10-day ritual for the consecration of Ram Lalla during this period. CURRENT NEWS The prelude to the main ceremony, commencing on January 16, will be overseen by Laxmikant and a cohort of 121 scholars, with 40 of them originating from Kashi. Being at the peak of development, Ayodhya Ram Mandir will be a centre of attraction for tourists. “Ayodhya city is expected to attract ten times more tourists than it currently receives”, as stated by CM Yogi. Internationally, Hindu temples are extended an invitation to partake in the festivities, synchronizing their prayers with the consecration ceremony of the Ram Mandir in India. Hindus worldwide are encouraged to participate by lighting a lamp (diya) symbolizing the path illuminated by the devotees for Lord Ram as he reclaimed his rightful kingdom. Invitations are being sent out to more than 6,000 guests, comprising priests, donors, and various political figures. Noteworthy attendees encompass cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, prominent industrialists Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani, and Ratan Tata, Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, along with actors Arun Govil and Dipika Chikhlia, renowned for their roles as Ram and Sita in the iconic TV serial Ramayana. The ceremony scheduled for January 22 will not only feature the participation of priests and saints from across the country but will also include prominent political figures, including Prime Minister Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Ayodhya Ram Mandir construction
The construction of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir commenced after the 2019 Supreme Court verdict on the Ayodhya dispute, which paved the way for the creation of a grand Ram temple. Following this decision, the government established the Shri Ram Janma Bhoomi Tirtha Kshetra Trust to oversee all aspects of the temple’s construction. Moreover, Pt Laxmikant Mathuranath Dixit, an 86-yearold profoundly knowledgeable Vedic scholar, has been selected as the officiating priest for this ceremony. He will lead the assembly of priests during the consecration.