Ram Temple Consecration: January 22 To Remain Dry Day In These States

The ceremony will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries.

To preserve the sanctity of the occasion, governments of several states have also prohibited the sale of liquor.

New Delhi: The 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya will be held on January 22. The grand event will see the Ram Lalla idol installed in the sanctum sanctorum of the Ram Temple.

The ceremony will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries.

PM Modi encouraged everyone to light diyas at home on January 22 and said that the 'pran pratishtha samaroh' will be broadcast live in educational institutes and other places.

Governments of several states have prohibited the sale of liquor on January 22 to preserve the sanctity of the occasion. 

Several BJP-ruled states, including Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, have declared a dry day on January 22.

Chhattisgarh

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has announced that the state will observe a 'dry day' on January 22. "The people of Chhattisgarh are enthusiastically looking forward to this mega event, as Chhattisgarh is the maternal birthplace of Lord Shri Ram. In consideration of the zeal and fervour of the people, this auspicious day will be declared a dry day in Chhattisgarh," said CM Vishnu Deo Sai in a video message.

Assam

Addressing a press conference following a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Tourism Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah announced, "To commemorate the inauguration of Ram temple, the Assam government has decided to declare January 22 as a dry day.” 

Uttar Pradesh

On January 12, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered the closure of all liquor shops in the state on January 22. Additional Excise Commissioner (Administration) Gyaneshwar Tripathi said, "On January 22, there will be a consecration ceremony in the Ram temple in Ayodhya. It has been decided to close all the liquor shops on this day."

UP CM referred to the day of Ayodhya Ram temple's consecration ceremony as a "national festival."

Rajasthan

The Rajasthan government announced a 'dry day' in the state on January 22.

The order in this regard was issued by the state Excise Department. "Due to the consecration ceremony of Lord Shri Ram in the temple being built at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya, January 22, 2024, is declared as a dry day in the entire state. Liquor shops will remain closed throughout the day on this day. The closing time of liquor shops in Rajasthan is fixed at 8 p.m. In such a situation, liquor shops will be closed at 8 p.m. on January 21, and will open in the morning on January 23," the order stated.

Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav declared a dry day on January 22 in view of the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

"We have decided that January 22 will be a dry day in the entire state... Shops selling any kind of alcohol or any other intoxicating substance would remain closed on that day," Yadav said while speaking to reporters.

Haryana

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar declared January 22 a dry day to mark the Ram Mandir consecration. The CM emphasised that the inauguration of the 'Ram Mandir' in Ayodhya is not a political event as it holds deep sentimental significance for the people.

Uttarakhand

On January 19, the Uttarakhand government issued directives for a dry day on January 22 on the occasion of the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple.

An order to this effect was issued by Excise Commissioner Hari Chandra Semwal. Liquor licence holders in the state will not be entitled to any compensation or claims on account of this closure, the order said.