Ram Temple Consecration Rituals Begin Today, Know Schedule For Next 7 Days

The consecration rituals for the idol of Ram Lalla will begin from Tuesday and will go on for a week till the inauguration of the temple.

Preparations for the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya are in full swing and the fervour is just going to escalate as rituals for the consecration of th idol of Ram Lalla will begin from Tuesday. The events will go on over the week and will culminate with the inauguration of the temple which is expected to be attended by over 7,000 invitees. 

The holy Hindu city of Ayodhya is getting decked up for the event which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat, UP Governor Anandiben Patel among others. 

People from different walks of life have also been invited for the inauguration ceremony to be held on January 22 including cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan. 

According to the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra, the 'Prana Pratishthan' or the consecration ceremony will take place on Paush Shukla Kurma Dwadashi, Vikram Samvat 2080, as per the Hindu calender. "The formal procedures of pre-Prana Pratistha sacraments will start from tomorrow, i.e., 16th January and continue till 21st January 2024," the Trust said. 

Here is the full schedule for the rest of the week. 

January 16: Prayaschita and Karmakuti Poojan

January 17: Parisar Pravesh of the Murti

January 18 (evening): Teerth Poojan, Jal Yatra and Gandhadhivas

January 19 (morning): Aushadhadhivas, Kesaradhivas, Ghritadhivas

January 19 (evening): Dhanyadhivas

January 20 (morning): Sharkaradhivas, Phaladhivas

January 20 (evening): Pushpadhivas

January 21 (morning): Madhyadhivas

January 21 (evening): Shaiyadhivas

However, the four Shankaracharyas have refused to participate in the consecration ceremony saying the construction of temple is yet to be completed after which the ceremony can take place.

Several seers came out strongly in support of the consecration ceremony amid criticism. 

The seers noted that when the 'Pran Pratishtha' (consecration) ceremony at the Somnath temple in Gujarat was done, it was far from complete and asserted that the exercise in Ayodhya was in line with scriptures.