Emotions are running high in Ayodhya and the entire country as the date for the consecration of Ram Lalla's idol and the inauguration of the Ram Temple nears. The holy city of Ayodhya will host a number of distinguished guests on January 22, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, along with Hindu seers, cricketers, actors, and other veterans from different walks of life.
While the general public has been asked to refrain from visiting the temple on the historic day, the same has not deterred the spirit of the people who are eagerly waiting for Lord Ram's arrival.
108-Foot Incense Stick, 2,100 Kg Bell Arrive In Ayodhya
Gifts and contributions are pouring in the holy town from various parts of the country echoing the reverence for Ram Lalla ahead of the 'pran pratishtha’ (consecration) ceremony.
Gleaming gem studded attire, ornately crafted silver plates, and sacred puja materials that include a 108 feet long incense stick, and a 2,100-kilogram bell are some of the gifts received by the temple trust. The incense stick, brought from Gujarat was lit by Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust Mahant Nritya Gopal Das on Tuesday amid a huge crowd chanting "Jai Shri Ram".
It has been claimed that the fragrance of the incense stick will reach a distance of 50 km. A 44-foot-tall ‘Dharm Dand’ which will be installed atop the temple, a ten-foot huge lock for the temple, and a special ‘diya that can hold 850 kg ghee, have also reached Ayodhya.
560 Kg Petha From Agra, Over 1,000 Tote Bags From Jail Inmates
The famous Panchi Petha of Agra has sent 560 kilograms of petha (a special sweetmeat), crafted in 56 unique flavours, news agency IANS reported. The varieties range from classic kesar and angoori (grapes) petha to the now-popular paan and laddu petha. Each one of them comes with a silent prayer for Ram Lalla’s homecoming.
Jail inmates from Fatehpur prison paid their obeisance by sending 1,122 saffron tote bags, with an image of the Ram temple printed on one side, to Ayodhya, as per the report. Jail superintendent Mohd Akram Khan said that the inmates wanted to make an offering to Lord Ram on the occasion and worked relentlessly to make the bags.
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Free Bangles For Women Visiting Ayodhya
As his ode to the special event, a trader from Uttar Pradesh's Firozabad has decided to distribute bangles and bracelets bearing pictures of Lord Ram, Goddess Sita and Lord Hanuman to women devotees visiting Ayodhya free of cost.
"Hindu and Muslim artisans of Firozabad have made these bangles and bracelets with full dedication," said the trader, Anand Agarwal, according to news agency PTI.
Agarwal also said that these bangles have been crafted by combining four or five pieces and bear carvings of Lord Ram, Sita Mata, and Lord Hanuman on them.