Ayodhya Ram Mandir: Social Media Abuzz With Ram Lalla Image Amid Pran Pratishtha Preparations

Social media users posted an image claiming it to be the "first picture of Ram Lalla", with its face uncovered. As per to Hindu custom, the face of an idol remains covered until it is consecrated.   

Ram Mandir Inauguration: Amid all the hustle and bustle ahead of the inauguration of the Ram Mandir, an image of Ram Lalla made its way to social media on Friday, creating a flutter. With an unveiled face of the idol getting leaked before the consecration, or "pran pratishtha", questions were raised as to how it was allowed to happen, prompting Acharya Satyendra Das, the chief priest of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, to demand an investigation into the matter.    

The Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry Saturday issued advisories to all media platforms, asking them to refrain from publishing or telecasting any content about Ram Mandir that may be "false, manipulated or has the potential to disturb communal harmony or public order".
"It is observed that certain unverified, provocative and fake messages are being spread, especially on social media, which can disturb communal harmony and public order," the advisory read.

Several social media users posted the image an idol claiming it to be the "first picture of Ram Lalla", which had its face uncovered. According to Hindu custom, the face of an idol remains covered until it is consecrated.   

About The Idol:

Meanwhile, the countdown has begun for the big day in Ayodhya with the Ram Mandir set to be inaugurated on January 22. The idol has already been placed inside the sanctum sanctorum, according to reports.  

The 51 inches tall idol, made out of black stone has been sculpted by Mysore's Arun Yogiraj. It depicts Lord Ram as a 5-year-old child standing on top of a lotus, pictures of which are doing the rounds of the internet with netizens echoing chants of 'Jai Shree Ram'. 

The idol of Lord Ram was placed in the sanctum sanctorum of the Ram Mandir on January 17. A special puja was performed on the occasion. Subsequently, on January 18 (Thursday), the idol was installed. Earlier, pictures of Ramlala with his eyes covered with a yellow cloth were shared until a few hours back when his face was finally revealed.

The Consecration:

The rituals for Lord Rama has commenced on January 16 at the Ram Mandir. They will continue till January 21 and minimum essential rituals needed for the 'Pran Pratishtha' of the idol of Ram Lalla will be conducted on January 22, as per the trust officials, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the main 'yajman'. In addition, 121 'Acharyas' are overseeing the conduct of the rituals.

The consecration program for the Ram Mandir will commence on January 22 at 12:20 PM and will conclude at 1:00 PM. Over 7000 people will be in attendance on that day including celebrities, businessmen, sportspersons, politicians and many more.