Ram Mandir Inauguration: Giant Hoardings Come Up In US, Hindu Officers In Mauritius Get Special Break

Ram Mandir Inauguration: Ahead of the consecration ceremony of the Ram Lalla idol in Ayodhya's Ram Mandir, more than 40 giant billboards have been set up across 10 US states as part of celebrations.

Ram Mandir Inauguration: The Ram Mandir inauguration fever has gripped people across the world. Giant hoardings of Lord Rama and the Ayodhya temple have been put up in more than 10 states, thousands of miles away in the US. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), US chapter, in association with Hindus from across the US, put up 40 plus hoardings in 10 states and more, with the message about the grand consecration ceremony on January 22, as reported by news agency ANI.

You may find these hoardings in states like Texas, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, and Georgia among others. Arizona and the Missouri are set to join them starting Monday. Amitabh VW Mittal, general secretary of the Hindu Parishad of America, told ANI, “The resounding message conveyed by these hoardings 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."

To commemorate the consecration of Ram Lalla 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 January 22.

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

He added, "The Ramayan is also a bridge across geographies. Stories from the epic are well known in many countries across the Indo-Pacific region, from Cambodia to Indonesia and Thailand to Laos. The epic has been reimagined, retold, and 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."

Mauritian Govt Grants Special Break For Hindu Officers On January 22

The Mauritian government has announced a special break of two hours for practising Hindu public officers on January 22 for the inauguration of Ram Mandir to enable them to participate in local events marking the consecration.

The Mauritian Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, on Friday, issued an official statement that read, "(The) Cabinet has agreed to the grant of a one-off special leave of two hours on Monday 22 January 2024 as from 2:00 pm 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," reported ANI.