Ram Temple in Ayodhya Archives - Lokmarg

Modi Showers Flower Petals On Workers In Ayodhya

By LokMarg 22nd January 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday showered flower petals on the workers who were a part of the construction team at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.

The Prime Minister also sprinkled flowers on the idol of Jatayu at the Ram Temple premises and also offered prayers to Lord Shiva in Ayodhya Dham.

Prime Minister Modi, while addressing the dignitaries invited for the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya said that the moment of unveiling of the Ram Lalla idol is an occasion not merely of triumph but humility too.

“This is a moment of celebration as well as the moment of a reflection of Indian society’s maturity. It is an occasion of not merely triumph but humility too. The history of the world is itself proof that many countries get strangled in their own history and such countries faced difficulties when they tried to solve their problems…but the way, our country untied the knots of history, is proof that our future is going to be more beautiful than our past,” he said.

The PM said that the construction of the temple which was supposed to ‘set off a firestorm’ is a symbol of peace, patience, harmony and integration of the country.

“There was also a time when some people used to say ‘Ram Mandir bana toh aag lag jaegi’ (the construction of the temple will set off a firestorm). Such people could not understand the purity of India’s social spirit. The construction of this temple of Ram Lalla is also a symbol of peace, patience, mutual harmony and coordination of the Indian society. We are seeing that this construction is not giving birth to any fire, but to energy,” he added.

The PM also said that Ayodhya’s temple is a temple of national consciousness in the form of Ram.

The Ram Lalla idol was unveiled at the Pran Pratishtha ceremony after the hour-long rituals in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who led the ceremony.

The Prime Minister walked inside the temple premises with a silver ‘chattar’ (umbrella) placed on a red folded dupatta.

RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were also present inside the sanctorum during the rituals.

Devotees and guests chanted ‘Jai Sri Ram’ as the ceremony was held. (ANI)

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Ramotsav 2024: Over 500 Women Participate In Jal Kalash Yatra At Ayodhya

By LokMarg 17th January 2024

Ahead of the much-awaited Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Lord Shri Ram Lalla, more than 500 women participated in the Jal Kalash Yatra from Saryu River To Ram Temple in Ayodhya on Wednesday.

Ahead of the Ram Temple ceremony, numerous events including the Jal Kalash Yatra were planned on the second day of the six-day event.

According to an official release from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), “Ahead of the consecration of Lord Shri Ram lalla, women took out ‘Jal Kalash Yatra’. More than 500 women participated in it. Wednesday was the second day of the consecration ritual. The whole society joined the function at the invitation of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.”

“The women of Ayodhya metropolis started the yatra in the morning from the banks of Saryu in Shri Ram Nagari. With the flag of Shri Ram flying on their heads, women carrying Maa Saryu water-filled urns danced and cheered to the tune of Lord Ram,” it said.

As per the release, the yatra was organized under the coordination of Mayor Girish Pati Tripathi and led by his wife Ramalakshmi Tripathi.

“More than 500 women including Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak’s wife Namrata Pathak, and District Panchayat President Roli Singh participated in the yatra,” said the release.

Meanwhile, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad invited sadhus at Uttarakhand’s Badrinath Dham for the January 22 ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony of Ram Lalla at Ayodhya Temple.

On Wednesday, VHP workers handed the invite to the ceremony to the sadhus sitting in meditation at the Badrinath Dham in the cold.

Notably, several celebrities including Akshay Kumar, Kangana Ranaut, Tiger Shroff, Jackie Shroff, Hariharan, Rajinikanth, Amitabh Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Randeep Hooda are among those who have received the invitation for the Ayodhya Ram Mandir ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony.

Apart from Kohli, world Cup-winning former India captain MS Dhoni and India’s all-time great Sachin Tendulkar have also been invited to the ceremony.

Vedic rituals for the Pran-Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya commenced on January 16.

General secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust Champat Rai said Ram temple will be open for darshan for the general public from January 23.

“The ‘Pran Prathishtha’ is expected to conclude by 1 pm. PM Modi and others present on the occasion will express their thoughts after the ceremony. As per tradition, gifts in 1000 baskets have come from Nepal’s Janakpur and areas of Mithila. On January 20 and 21 darshan will remain closed to the public,” he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has started an 11-day special ritual in the run-up to the Pran Pratishtha of Shri Ramlala at the temple at Ayodhya. (ANI)

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Lalu To Skip ‘Pran Pratistha’ Ceremony

By LokMarg 17th January 2024

Former Chief Minister of Bihar and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav on Wednesday said that he will not attend the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya that is scheduled to take place on January 22.

“I will not go to Ayodhya to attend the ‘pran pratishtha’ ceremony of the Ram Temple,” Yadav said.

However, he has not cited any specific reason for attending the event.

The Pran Pratishta ceremony will be held in Ayodhya on January 22. Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with several other leaders will attend the event. Several celebrities and noted personalities have also been invited to the ceremony.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar has also turned down the invitation to the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya and said that he will visit for darshan after the event and once the construction is complete.

Pawar conveyed his appreciation of the invite in a letter addressed to Champat Rai, the General Secretary of Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra on Wednesday.

“I’m very happy on receiving the invitation for the Pran Pratishtha ceremony to held in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024,” Pawar stated in his letter.

In the letter, Pawar acknowledged the devotion of crores of devotees across the country and said, “‘Maryada Purushottam Sri Ram’ is a symbol of worship and devotion of crores of devotees in and across India. The devotees across the country are excited about the ceremony and are reaching the temple in large numbers. The joy of the historic celebrations will reach me through them.”

The NCP supremo said that he will visit the temple during his scheduled visit to Ayodhya after January 22, adding that by then the construction of the temple will also be completed.

Several other leaders of the opposition, including Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, have turned down the invitation. (ANI)

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Mauritians To Light Diya, Recite Ramayana During Pran Pratishtha Celebrations

By LokMarg 15th January 2024

As the world anticipates the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22, Haymandoyal Dillum, High Commissioner of Mauritius, revealed the grand plans for the Mauritian community to participate in the spiritual event.

The people of this island nation are standing united in celebration of the spiritual milestone unfolding in Ayodhya. They are preparing to light a ‘Diya’ each in all temples of Mauritius and the verses of the ‘Ramayan Path’ will echo through the corridors of these temples, creating an atmosphere of devotion and cultural celebration.

Mauritius High Commissioner Dillum said, “There are a lot of temples in Mauritius, and in all the temples, one ‘diya’ (earthen lamp) will be lit, and ‘Ramayan Path’ will be recited during that day.” This symbolic gesture is poised to create a luminous tapestry across the island nation, reflecting the shared reverence for Lord Ram.

High Commissioner Dillum also said that the Pran Pratishtha ceremony will be observed concurrently in all temples, underscoring the collective commitment to honouring Lord Ram’s divine presence.

“And at the same time, we’ll also follow the Pran Pratishtha ceremony. It has also been decided by various social and cultural organizations and the appeal has also been made by the government to light up and celebrate the second Diwali in all the houses,” he told ANI.

The Mauritian envoy also stated that the ceremony on January 22 is not just a great event for India but also for the people of Mauritius.

“Preparations are going on and any event that touches the hearts of all Mauritians is a big event. It’s believed that Lord Ram is coming back again. So I think this is a great event not only for India but also for the people of Mauritius, and they are keen and willing to follow the Pran Pratishtha ceremony,” High Commissioner Dillum said.

Highlighting the deep connection between Mauritius and Lord Ram, High Commissioner Dillum said that the Mauritian government has granted special leave to officials for the inauguration ceremony.

He said, “There are a lot of Ram followers in Mauritius. There was a strong request from various social-cultural organisations and various institutions to be present on January 22 for the Pran Pratishtha.”

To accommodate this, Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth proposed a two-hour leave during last Friday’s cabinet meeting, which was unanimously agreed upon by the government. This decision allows the Hindu community to actively participate and follow the Pran Pratishtha from the comfort of their homes.

Reflecting on the broader India-Mauritius relations, High Commissioner Dillum highlighted the strength of the bilateral ties. “PM Modi invited us as the guest country during the G20, which shows the strong bond between the two countries,” he affirmed. He also disclosed plans to send a cultural troupe to Ayodhya, further cementing the multifaceted relationship between the two nations.

Highlighting the importance of Lord Ram in Mauritius, the envoy said, “If I go back some 200 years, you will recall that the immigrants and labourers who went to Mauritius had only two things: One was the Ramayana, and the second was the Hanuman Chalisa.”

In a show of global significance, the Mauritian government announced a two-hour special break for Hindu public officers on January 22. This gesture aims to enable them to participate in local events marking the Pran Pratishtha of Shri Ram Lalla in Ayodhya.

The Mauritian Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, issued an official statement on Friday that read, “(The) Cabinet has agreed to the grant of a one-off special leave of two hours on Monday, January 22, 2024, as from 1400 hours to public officers of Hindu faith, subject to exigencies of service, in the context of the inauguration of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir in India, which is a landmark event as it symbolises the return of Lord Ram in Ayodhya.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend the ceremonial installation of the idol of Shri Ram Lalla on January 22. The ceremony, spanning seven days from January 16, will include Vedic rituals for the Pran-Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya. (ANI)

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Epic Tesla Musical light show in Maryland Ayodhya

US: Over 150 Cars Parked Strategically In ‘Ram’ Formation Hold Dazzling Light Show In Maryland

By LokMarg 14th January 2024

Amid the euphoria and growing anticipation in India around the opening of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, later this month, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) of America organised an Epic Tesla Musical light show in Maryland state.

Videos captured by ANI showed people from the Hindu community holding flags inscribed with images of Lord Ram and raising ‘Jai Shree Ram’ and ‘Ram Lakshman Janki, Jai Shri Hanuman Ki’ slogans.

The Tesla car light show was synchronised to the tunes of Jai Shri Ram and was organised by VHP, US chapter.

More than 150 cars, parked strategically in the ‘Ram’ formation, participated in the light show. Indian Americans from Washington, Virginia and Maryland beamed bright and colourful from Tesla bars.

The cars gathered at Sri Bhakta Anjaneya Temple in Maryland, which is situated on a street named the ‘Ayodhya Way’.

Tesla’s vehicles have the unique ability to put on synchronised light shows with other Teslas, which can be a particularly entertaining feature in large groups.

The Tesla light show organised by the Hindu community had 150 vehicles. All cars owned by the indian American community participated as they flashed and pulsed to the song of Jai shri Ram The light show is part of the celebration of the Rama Mandir opening in Ayodhya.

Teslas of all colours synchronised various colours from their headlights and taillights, all together displaying a colourful array.

Several rows of cars parked in a huge parking lot saw all of them go from moments of complete darkness to varying brightness levels. Because the vehicles were synchronised, they demonstrated interesting light patterns, like a few moments where only taillights were being used split-seconds apart to create the appearance of laser-like motion from aerial views. For creating this custom light show required a technical hand, as it was created by a young devotee.

“The show featuring all the 150 cars was performed using a software loaded via a USB flash drive. Each light is programmed differently to represent the devotion and enthusiasm towards Sri Ram Bhagawan ahead of the Ayodhya Mandir inauguration,” Satvik Gudipati, a young programmer from Maryland, told ANI.

Prashant, a resident from Virginia, said, “Its really inspiring to be here and be part of this tesla light show. Since 1992, I have been hearing that Ram Mandir will be built. However, it’s only now that it is close to becoming a reality. Shri Ram is arriving to take his thrown at his birthplace. I can now proudly say that Ram Mandir is set to be opened for devotees in Ayodhya.”

Meanwhile, Mahendra Sapa, Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America Washington DC chapter President said, “As we joyously celebrate the inauguration of the Grand Mandir of Bhagwan Shri Ram, we reflect on over 20 generations of patience, perseverance, and sacrifices that led to this momentous occasion. This new Diwali holds a special significance as we honor the souls of countless karsevaks who made the ultimate sacrifice to bring us justice, including the Kothary Brothers.” “The Mandir stands as a symbol of faith and a tribute to the enduring spirit of our community. In this historic moment, we express gratitude to all contributors for realizing this cherished dream,” he added.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, Indians in the United States organised a car rally in Edison, New Jersey.

More than 350 cars participated in the rally. Visuals accessed by ANI showed people from the Hindu community holding flags inscribed with images of Lord Ram and several cars lining up on the streets.

Amid ongoing events and celebrations across the globe ahead of the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22, giant billboards of Lord Ram and the majestic shrine in the temple town of Uttar Pradesh have gone up in more than 10 states, thousands of miles away in the United States.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), US chapter, in association with Hindus from across the US, have put up more than 40 billboards in 10 states and more, displaying the message around the the grand ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony at the birthplace of Shri Ram Lalla in Ayodhya on January 22.

The billboards have gone up in Texas, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, and Georgia, among other states. Additionally, Arizona and the State of Missouri are set to join this visual celebration starting Monday, January 15, according to the VHP, American chapter.

“The resounding message conveyed by these billboards is that Hindu Americans are elated and joyously participating in this once-in-a-lifetime event. Their emotions overflow as they eagerly await the auspicious day of the consecration ceremony,” Amitabh VW Mittal, general secretary, Hindu Parishad of America, told ANI.

“The Hindu community in New Jersey is brimming with joy, eagerly anticipating the upcoming Car Rally, Exhibition, Curtain Raiser, Billboards across New York New Jersey, and the grand celebration slated for the 21st night. The enthusiasm is palpable, with members from Mandirs across NJ eagerly looking forward to this once-in-a-generation event,” Teja A Shah, joint general secretary, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, America chapter, told ANI.

Meanwhile, President of the Mauritius Sanatan Dharm Temples Federation, Bhojraj Ghoorbin informed that all temples in Mauritius will organise Ramayan Chanting and celebrate on January 22, commemorating the Pran Pratishtha of Lord Ram in Ayodhya.

To commemorate the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the Hindu American community across the US has organised several car rallies and has planned many more events in the run-up to the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ in Ayodhya.Meanwhile, President of the Mauritius Sanatan Dharm Temples Federation, Bhojraj Ghoorbin informed that all temples in Mauritius will organise Ramayan Chanting and celebrate on January 22, commemorating the Pran Pratishtha of Lord Ram in Ayodhya.

He said, “In Mauritius, all our Hindu brothers and sisters are in a different mood nowadays. As from the Sankranti, on January 15, all our mandirs in Mauritius are doing the Ramayan chanting. And especially on the 22nd, we are having the same as we used to celebrate Diwali. In Mauritius, we are celebrating two Diwali.”

He added, “The first Diwali is on January 22, and the second Diwali is on October 31. We will do it the same as we all know: after 14 years of Vanwas (exile), Prabhu Shri Ram is coming to Ayodhya. So this time, not after 14 years, Prabhu Ram is coming after 500 years.”

President Ghoorbin also shared that a day before the inauguration of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, a cultural programme will be held and Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth will attend the event as a chief guest.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend the ceremonial installation of the idol of Shri Ram Lalla inside the sanctum sanctorum of the grand temple on January 22.

A host of leaders and dignitaries from all walks of life have been invited to the grand temple opening in Ayodhya. According to temple officials, the ceremony will be held over seven days starting January 16.

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has decided to enthrone Ram Lalla at the sanctum-sanctorum of the Ram Temple at noon on January 22.

Vedic rituals for the Pran-Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya will begin on January 16, a week before the main ceremony.

Earlier, on Wednesday, the Indian envoy to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu said Ramayan is a bridge across geographies and teaches people about the complexities of human relationships and the eternal struggle between good and evil.

Speaking at an event at the US Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, titled ‘Ramayana across Asia and Beyond’, the Indian envoy said, “Ramayan and its shared heritage across the Indo-Pacific. The lessons and tales from Ramayan are passed down from generations, and it is hard to say exactly when one learns them. It’s as if one was born with them. The epic gives insights into the complexities of human relationships, governance and spirituality, dharma or duty, justice, sacrifice, loyalty, and the eternal struggle between good and evil. The Ramayan has something to teach us about each of these themes, among many other things.”

“The Ramayan is also a bridge across geographies. Stories from the epic are well known in many countries across Indo Pacific, from Cambodia to Indonesia, from Thailand to Laos. The epic has been reimagined, retold, included in the artistic, literary, and religious traditions of various societies incorporating their unique cultural nuances. I have been personally witness to this influence of Ramayan across boundaries,” Ambassador Sandhu added. (ANI)

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BJP Won't Renew UP Tickets For Sitting MPs, Barring One: Akhilesh

Akhilesh Turns Down Jan 22 Invite

By LokMarg 14th January 2024

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday turned down the invitation to the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, joining the list of Opposition leaders to have snubbed the temple invite.

However, Akhilesh did say that he will visit the temple with his family at a later date.

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury and a host of Congress bigwigs — national president Mallikarjun Kharge, former president Sonia Gandhi and the party’s Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury–have already turned down the invitation to the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony.

The SP chief and the former UP chief minister, on Friday, wrote to Champat Rai, the general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra, the trust entrusted with the construction of the Ram Temple, informing him of his decision to skip the event.

“Thank you for the invitation to the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Temple and congratulations on its successful completion,” read the letter written by the SP chief.

“I will surely visit Ayodhya with my family after the Pran Pratishtha ceremony,” he added.

Earlier, on Friday, Akhilesh said that Samajwadis “100 per cent” believe in the tradition of country and Sanatana, adding, “Can anyone ever be invited to God’s abode? We visit temples impulsively, where there is an inner calling and an urge deep down.”

“We Samajwadi’s 100 percent believe in our tradition and Sanatana. Today is the birth anniversary of Vivekananda. He had said that our society teaches tolerance. Those who do not trust the Constitution can never be a Sanatani. We are people who believe in Bhimrao Ambedkar,” he said.

“
Jab Bhagwan bulayenge, Jab Shri Ram bulayenge hum jayenge
… (When God calls, when Shri Ram calls, we will go),” he added.

Earlier this month, Kharge, Sonia and Adhir turned down the invitation to the grand Ram Temple opening on January 22, calling it a ‘BJP-RSS’ event.

The opposition parties of the INDIA bloc have accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party of “using” the Ram Temple for electoral gains in the coming Lok Sabha polls.

Earlier on Friday, Congress leader Pawan Khera queried whether the event would be held under the guidance of the Shankaracharyas of the four peeths–the major shrines in the country.

“There is a system and set of rituals around ‘Pran Pratishtha’. If this event is religious, then why is it not happening under the guidance of the Shankaracharyas of the Four Peeths? All four Shankaracharyas have said clearly that the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ cannot be done in an incomplete temple. So, if this event is not religious, then it has to be political. I cannot accept some leaders of a party serving as middlemen between me and my avowed deity. Some of our politicians are acting like ‘Thekedars’ (contractors). Which ‘Panchang’ did the BJP refer to before finalising the date? The date was chosen keeping the Lok Sabha) elections in mind,” Congress leader Pawan Khera said on Friday.

However, the BJP, on the other hand, has been accusing the grand old party of hurting religious sentiments.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to preside over the ‘Pran Pratistha’ and ceremonial opening of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22.

Vedic rituals for the ‘Pran-Pratishtha’ ceremony of Ram Lalla (infant Lord Ram) in Ayodhya will begin on January 16, a week before the main ceremony.

A priest from Varanasi, Lakshmi Kant Dixit, will perform the main rituals of the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony of Ram Lalla on January 22. From January 14 to January 22, Ayodhya will mark the Amrit Mahotsav.A 1008 Hundi Mahayagya will also be organised, in which thousands of devotees will be fed. Several tent cities are being erected in Ayodhya to accommodate thousands of devotees, who are expected to arrive in the temple town of Uttar Pradesh for the grand ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony.

According to the Sri Ram Janambhoomi Trust, arrangements will be made for 10,000-15,000 people. (ANI)

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Aligarh: Handcrafted Lock Weighing 50 kg Prepared For Ram Mandir

By LokMarg 11th January 2024

Uttar Pradesh’s Aligarh dsitrict in known as a centre for lock manufacturing. Harrison Locks has now prepared a 50-kg handmade lock that will be presented to the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Umang Monga, Managing Director of Harrison Locks, said, “We want to gift this lock on behalf of Aligarh, widely known for its lock industry. This is our way of participating and a gift from our side to the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.”

Umang Monga highlighted PM Modi’s ‘Make in India’ push in the country and how the handcrafted 50-kg lock is an initiative in the same direction.

“As PM Modi says, industry has the prime moving force. This handmade lock is an effort in the same direction. This can give a push to the Make in India initiative. This is our resolution to connect both districts, Aligarh and Ayodhya, and lock them together. We are happy that PM Modi helped India achieve what he promised. He has created India’s distinct identity in the world.”

Umang Monga emphasised his attempt to make Aligarh globally famous.

“Aligarh is widely known for the lock industry. The whole world is looking towards Ayodhya. This is an effort to bring Aligarh to the world map.”

Notably, the handmade lock is fully functional, and has ‘Jai Shree Ram’ engraved on it.

On Wednesday, a businessman from Jalesar Nagar Panchayat of Etah district handed over a 2400-kilogram bell made of ‘ashtadhatu’ (eight metals) to the Ram Janmabhoomi Tirtha Kshetra Trust.

It is being claimed that the sound of this bell, crafted in a single casting, can be heard up to 10 kilometres and its manufacturing cost is approximately Rs 25 lakhs.

Additionally, seven more bells, each weighing 51 kilograms, were also presented.

On January 4, a 51-inch-tall idol of Lord Ram Lalla, prepared by a Jaipur-based sculptor, reached Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya. (ANI)

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Let individuals make reasonable choice: Tharoor Amid Participation Of Oppn Leaders At Ram Temple

By LokMarg 28th December 2023

Amid the row over the Left skipping out of the grand consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22 and doubts around the participation of other top Opposition leaders invited to the event, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday said the invitees should be able to make their choice in the matter.

The senior Congress leader said the Opposition leaders should not be branded ‘anti-Hindu’ if they don’t attend the consecration of the Ram Temple and neither should they be seen to be “playing into BJP hands” if they do.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, the Thiruvananthapuram MP, taking a dig at a section of the media, said, “(There are attempts at) Putting the Congress leadership in a box and saying that if you go, that means you are playing into the hands of the BJP. If you don’t go, that means you are anti-Hindu. Let the individuals make a reasonable choice,” Tharoor said on Thursday.

On whether giving the consecration of the Ram Temple a miss could hurt the prospects of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha polls next year, Tharoor said, “People are trying to make it a political issue but is that fair?”

“Going to a temple is an individual decision. Individuals have been invited, let them make their own decisions. To my mind, a temple is absolutely not a political stage, it is a place for people to contemplate the divine and do their prayers and it is a personal choice. Individuals have been invited and letting individuals decide if they wish to go is my stand,” the Congress MP added.

Claiming that he was yet to receive a formal invite to attend the Ram Temple consecration, Tharoor said, “As far as I am concerned, I have not been invited, so I don’t have to make the decision. But my own view is that I don’t think of the temple as a political stage and if it is a political event, then it is not the same as going to the temple to pray. Going to the temple to pray to my mind is a different exercise. From going to the temple to attend a huge political gathering for political speeches led by political politicians, or for those reasons, I am not terribly inclined to see the issue in those terms.”

The MP informed further that three or four members of his party have been invited to the event.

“In my mind, let individuals make their own decision, as it is a personal choice. If the party takes a collective decision, they will let us know, but right now, three or four members have been invited from the party, and they will certainly be making the decisions,” Tharoor added.

Earlier, the chairman of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir Construction Committee invited former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and the party’s leader in the Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury for the consecration ceremony.

However, the attendance of senior Congress leaders has not yet been confirmed by the party.

The ceremony, scheduled for January 22, will witness the installation of the idol of Ram Lalla at the grand temple.

While Prime Minister Narendra Modi will preside over the grand temple opening, several dignitaries from all walks of life are also expected to attend the event.

The temple trust has also invited 4,000 saints of all sects for the ceremony.

The trust has decided to enthrone the idol of Lord Ram inside the sanctum sanctorum between noon and 12.45 pm on January 22.

Lakshmi Kant Dixit, a Vedic priest, is scheduled to perform the main rituals of the consecration ceremony on January 22. (ANI)

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Ayodhya Ram Temple: Lord Ram’s Child Form Idol Near Completion

By LokMarg 6th December 2023

Ahead of the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22, the General Secretary of Shri Ram Janambhoomi Trust, Champat Rai, said on Wednesday that the idol depicting the child form of Lord Ram is 90 percent ready.

“At Ram Janambhoomi temple, a 4’3” idol depicting the 5-year-old child form of Lord Ram is being constructed at three locations in Ayodhya. Three artisans are building the idol on three different pieces of stone, and one of the idols will be accepted by the Lord. These idols are 90 percent ready, and the finishing work will take about a week to be done,’ said Champat Rai.

“The idol will be installed in the ‘Grabhgriha’ on the ground floor. The ground floor of the temple is almost ready. So, there will be no problem with ‘Praan-Pratishtha’ (Consecrarion ceremony),” he added.

He further mentioned that at least 4000 sadhus are being invited to the ‘Praan-Pratishtha’ ceremony. The list of further invitees is also ready.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024. The office bearers of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Tirtha Kshetra, along with religious leaders, went to invite the Prime Minister.

Vedic rituals for the Pran-Pratishtha (consecration) ceremony of Ram Lalla (infant Lord Ram) in Ram temple in Ayodhya will begin on January 16, 2024–a week before the main ceremony. A Vedic priest from Varanasi Lakshmi Kant Dixit will perform the main rituals of the consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla on January 22.

From January 14 to January 22, Ayodhya will mark the Amrit Mahautsav. A 1008 Hundi Mahayagya will also be organised in which thousands will be given food.

The Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirath Kshetra Trust has decided to enthrone Ram Lalla at the sanctum-sanctorum of the Ram temple between 12 noon and 12:45 pm on that day. The trust has invited 4,000 saints of all sects for the ceremony.

The foundation stone of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya was laid by PM Modi on August 5, 2020.

It is pertinent to note that the Supreme Court’s verdict in 2019 on the Ayodhya dispute paved the way for the construction of a grand Ram temple.

Following the apex court verdict, the centre set up Shri Ram Janma Bhoomi Tirtha Kshetra’ Trust to take all decisions regarding the construction of a magnificent Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

The construction of the temple has been progressing at a steady pace under the supervision of the Trust. The idol of Ram Lalla will be in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.

Earlier the Shri Ram Janambhoomi Trust shared pictures of the floor Inlay work under process in Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir and intricate arvings inside the temple. (ANI)

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Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir To Receive Special Soil From Thailand Before Consecration

By LokMarg 30th November 2023

In a gesture filled with cultural significance, Thailand is sending soil to the Ramjanmabhoomi ahead of the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

This act follows the earlier gesture of sending water from two rivers in Thailand to Lord Ram’s temple. This unique connection aims to strengthen the cultural ties between Thailand and India, said Swami Vigyanananand, founder and global chairman of the World Hindu Foundation (WHF) in an exclusive conversation with ANI.

In preparation for the consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla on January 22, 2024, soil from Thailand is being sent to the sacred site of Ram Janmabhoomi. The initiative was taken by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) with Susheelkumar Saraff, President of the Thailand chapter of VHP, said Swami Vigyanananand.

The collaboration between the two nations is not limited to soil, Swami Vigyanananand said. He added, “India and Thailand have a strong cultural and historical bond. Kings belong to Lord Ram’s descendants. Every king here too has the title of Ram in their name which is an old tradition here, he said. Bangkok in Thailand is part of the Asian southeast country where rich Hindu cultural heritage exists that is why they planned to organise the World Hindu Congress here.

Swami Vigyanananand said, “We have identified 51 countries that will witness Lord Ram’s consecration at Ayodhya. Susheelkumar Saraff and I will be also be present in Ayodhya.”

Expressing his delight over the scheduled consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22 next year, Swami Vigyanananand, chief organiser of World Hindu Congress, told ANI that the ceremony will be telecast live in Bangkok and Hindus from across the globe will converge at the event, engaging in kirtans, bhajans, puja, and recitation.

“We have ordered prasad (food offered to the deity) from Ayodhya. A replica of the Ayodhya temple has been built here. We have also brought an image of the birthplace of Ram Lalla from Ayodhya. Copies of the image will be shared with all the delegates (attending the conference). The festive ambience in Ayodhya ahead of the consecration of the Ram temple should be spread across the world,” he added.

A famous city in Thailand was known as Ayutthaya, where its kings bore the title of ‘Ramatibodhi’ (“Lord Rama”). Ayutthaya has been linked to the context in which Ayodhya is mentioned as the capital of Lord Rama in the Ramayana. Ayutthaya, which was the capital of the Siamese rulers from 1351 AD, was looted and almost completely destroyed by the Burmese forces in 1767.

The name of the Thai religious text is Ramkeen, which has the same status as the Thai Ramayana. Ramanujan, who wrote the book ‘300 Ramayana’, has compared this book with Valmiki Ramayana. It is believed to have been composed afresh by King Rama I in the 18th century and the main villain in this book, Thotsakan, is like Ravana of the Hindu text. The ideal of Ram is depicted in the hero of this book, Phra Ram. However, now the remains of Thai Ayodhya are spread over a large area and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Dr Suresh Pal Giri has been teaching in Thailand for 22 years. In an exclusive interview with ANI, he said, “I teach in a religious university in Thailand. The land on which you are standing is a part of the missing link of India. For some years, it was called Thailand, it is genetically Hindu and later with time, elements of Buddhism kept coming into Hinduism and it got mixed.”

He said that even after so many years, Lord Ram is worshipped in Thailand as well as in India. He said, “The similarity between India’s Ayodhya and Thailand’s Ayodhya is that we have not forgotten our ancestors, our existence and our traditions. Even after so many years, we still believe in Lord Ram and worship him in Thailand as well as in India. The king here had also built some Hindu temples in this city. Here, 35 kilometres away from Ayutthaya, there is a temple of Lord Vishnu, Brahma and Shankar. The city has a 3,000-year-old Hindu temple dedicated to the kings of India.” (ANI)

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