Ayodhya Ram Mandir: 'Pran Pratishtha' Done, Lord Ram 'Returns Home' For Millions | Highlights

The eager wait of millions in India is over as Lord Ram has "finally returned home" today for them, with the consecration or 'Pran Pratishtha' of Ram Lalla idol in Shri Ram Mandir of Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya, constructed at a site that many devout believe marks the spot where the Hindu deity was born. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with priests, led the affairs at the consecration ceremony as 'Yajmaan', the main host of a "puja" -- the person on whose behalf the prayers are offered. 

ALSO READ | Ayodhya Glitters For Lord Ram's 'Homecoming': High-Profile Guests, Mega Security Preps For Grand 'Pran Pratishtha'

The 'Pran Pratishtha' rituals began at 12.20 pm and concluded at 1 pm, with an 84-second 'Abhijit muhurta' or auspicious period in which PM Modi participated. While Ayodhya is under high alert and an unprecedented security cover and painted in hues of saffron, the entire country is covered with 'Jai Shri Ram' flags to celebrate the mega event.

A whopping 8,000 invites were sent out to eminent personalities in the fields of politics, cinema, sports and others for the Ram Mandir inauguration. Top actors Amitabh Bachchan, Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, Ram Charan, singers Sonu Nigam, Shankar Mahadevan, cricket stars Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kumble etc., are among the many bigwigs who were seen at the consecration ceremony. 

Ayodhya Ram Mandir 'Pran Pratishtha' | HIGHLIGHTS 

-No Tent Now For Ram Lalla, Says PM Modi: Making an address at the Ram Mandir inauguration and consecration ceremony, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Ram Lalla will no longer be in a tent and will reside in a grand temple instead.

"Lord Ram has come home after ages, after penance... I have appeared in front of you as a witness to divine consciousness in the Garbhagriha [sanctum sanctorum]. A lot needs to be said but I am still speechless...," PM Modi said, adding that Ram Lalla will not stay in the tent from now on.

"There must have been some lack in penance that we could not do this work for so many centuries, today that lack has been filled, Lord Ram will definitely forgive us," PM Modi said.

Speaking further, PM Modi said Ram is not a dispute, but "the solution", adding that "Ram is not just ours, he belongs to everyone, Ram is not only present, Ram is eternal."

Ram Mandir Murti Consecrated, PM Modi Leads Rituals: Accompanied by priests and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony as the 'Yajmaan' at the Shri Ram temple in Ayodhya and consecrated the idol of Ram Lalla. After performing rituals, PM Modi was seen applying kajal on the Ram Lalla idol.

Ram Lalla Idol Unveiled | Pics Here

After the 'Pran Pratishtha' rituals, PM Modi broke his 11-day fast that he was observing in the run-up to the consecration ceremony.

'Pran Pratishtha', in literal terms, means 'establishment of life force' or basically 'infusing life' into something. In simple terms 'Pran Pratishtha' means invoking a deity as an idol.

WATCH

In a post on X, PM Modi said that the "supernatural moment of the consecration of Shri Ram Lalla's life in Ayodhya Dham is bound to leave everyone emotional." He added, "It is my great pleasure to be a part of this divine program.

Dressed in a golden kurta with a cream-coloured dhoti and patka, the Prime Minister walked into the sanctum sanctorum of the temple holding a silver umbrella on a folded red dupatta.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar termed the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony as an event where "the soul of a civilisation finds expression once again."

"At the Pran Pratishtha ceremony today, the soul of a civilisation finds expression once again. And the message of virtue, honour, justice and commitment reverberates around the world," Jaishankar said in a post on X.

-Ab Curfew Nahi Lagega..., says UP CM Yogi: Addressing the gathering at the Ram temple inauguration, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said it is "an emotional moment that has come after a 500-year wait."

The temple has been built where we had resolved to build it, UP CM Yogi Adityanath said. "Now the streets of Ayodhya won't echo with gunshots. There will be no curfew. Now there will be Deepotsav and Ramotsav here. Shri Ram's name 'Sankirtan' will echo in the streets because the establishment of Ram Lalla here is the announcement of Ram Rajya..." CM Yogi Adityanath said.

-CM Yogi, Bachchans And Others In Ayodhya: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath and many others reached Ayodhya for the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of the Ram Lalla idol at the Shri Ram temple. 'Yajmaan' refers to the main host of a puja in Hindu rituals. 

Hundreds of guests also reached Ayodhya for the consecration ceremony, Actors Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan were seen at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple. Telugu film stars Chiranjeevi and Ram Charan is also attending the ceremony.

-Temple Trusts Releases Video Of Ram Mandir: Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra, the trust set up for the construction and management of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, has released a video showing the fully done-up Ram temple ahead of the consecration ceremony.

WATCH HERE

-Who's Who Attending The Ram Mandir Inauguration: Thousands of invitees are attending the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony at Shri Ram temple in Ayodhya. While most of the opposition alliance INDIA bloc's invitees turned down the invites, many leaders from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and other parties along with sports, film, and art personalities attended the ceremony.

About 8,000 people are on the long list of invitees, however, the select list features 506 A-listers, including prominent politicians, leading industrialists, top film stars, sportspersons, diplomats, judges and high priests.

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, actors Amitabh Bachchan, Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, Telugu actor Ram Charan and many other eminent personalities were sitting at the consecration ceremony. 

ALSO READ | Ayodhya Ram Mandir Inauguration: Online Booking, Events, Rituals, Timings For 'Aarti' And' Darshan' | Details

Meanwhile, Senior BJP leader and former deputy prime minister LK Advani, who played a prominent role in the Ram temple movement, is skipping the consecration ceremony due to cold weather, reports said.

-Pran Pratishtha 'Muhurta' Only For 84 Seconds: The auspicious 'muhurta' for the consecration ceremony lasted only for 84 seconds, during which Prime Minister Narendra Modi took part in the schedule from 12:29:03 pm to 12:30:35 pm during the 'Abhijit muhurta'. In the Hindu calendar, 'Abhijit muhurta' is considered one of the best muhurtas to start any auspicious work.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to spend nearly four hours in Ayodhya for the ceremony and other events. PM Modi's special flight landed at the Ayodhya airport at 10:25 am. From the airport, PM Modi reached the 'Ram Janmabhoomi' site at 10.55 am.

PM Modi participated in the 'Pran Pratishtha' of Ram Lalla's idol from 12:29:03 pm to 12:30:35 pm during the 'Abhijit muhurta'.

-Ram Lalla 'Pran Pratishtha' Timing: The "Prana Pratishtha" ceremony began at 12.20 pm and ended around 1 pm. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and thousands of other invitees from the field of politics, arts, sports,  cinema and other backgrounds attended the consecration ceremony.

-Holiday declared in many states, UTs: While the central government announced a half-day working for its employees, several states also declared a holiday for the historic day, to celebrate which 'Jai Shri Ram' flags have been put over houses, buildings and even vehicles all across India. Delhi, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and several other states and Union Territories declared either a half or a full-day holiday.

-PM Modi As 'Yajmaan': Apart from the priests, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the affairs at the consecration ceremony as 'yajmaan'. Typically, the ‘Yajmaan’ is the main "host" of a "puja" -- the person on whose behalf the prayers are offered. Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust member Anil Mishra had confirmed that PM Modi would be the “Yajmaan” for the Januar 22 ceremony.

-Ram Lalla idol: The 51-inch idol of Lord Ram as a child which has been placed in the 'Garbhagriha' or sanctum sanctorum of the Shri Ram temple of Ayodhya has been sculpted by Mysuru-based sculptor Arun Yogiraj.

Sculptor Arun Yogiraj, speaking on Monday ahead of the consecration ceremony, said he feels like the luckiest person on the planet. "I feel I am the luckiest person on the earth now. The blessing of my ancestors, family members and Lord Ram Lalla has always been with me. Sometimes I feel like I am in a dream world," Arun Yogiraj told news agency ANI.

-Probe over leaked pics of Ram Lalla idol: The idol was placed in the temple on the night of Thursday, January 18, a day after which photos surfaced on social media showing the uncovered eyes of the idol. Reports said that Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) had released the photos.

ALSO READ | Meet Arun Yogiraj, The MBA Grad-Turned Sculptor Whose Ram Lalla Idol Will Grace Ayodhya Temple

The chief priest of the Ram temple demanded an investigation after photographs were leaked before its January 22 consecration. Office bearers of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the temple trust rejected releasing any photographs.

The old idol of Ram Lalla, kept in a makeshift shrine, will be placed in front of the new idol that will be consecrated at the temple.

-How To Book Aarti: Devotees can have temple darshan at the Ram Temple from 7 am to 11:30 am and 2 pm to 7 pm. While the temple is getting inaugurated today, it will open for devotees from tomorrow. 

How to book for Aarti/Darshan

-Devotees have to visit the official website.
-A user can log in using their mobile number. One will receive an OTP for registration.
-Go to ‘My Profile’ and book the desired slot for aarti or darshan.
-Fill in your credentials and book pass.
-You have to collect your pass from the temple counter before entering the premises.

The online booking is currently kept on hold. The official website says, "The quota for Darshan and Aarti Services is fully consumed. Please refer to Latest Updates Section for the Upcoming Quota Release Date." 

The grand Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir or Ram Temple is getting inaugurated five years after the Supreme Court verdict on the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit in which the apex court ruled in favour of the construction of a grand Ram temple by a trust at the disputed site on November 9, 2019. The Hindu litigants argued that the Babri Mosque, which at the Ram Temple site till 1992, was constructed at the site of a temple marking the birthplace of Lord Ram.

ALSO READ | Ayodhya Ram Mandir: From Babri Demolition To Ram Lalla’s Return After Historic SC Verdict | Know It All

The five-judge bench granted the entire disputed land to the deity Ram Lalla and ordered the government to allot an alternative five-acre plot to the Muslim side to build a mosque.

Babri Masjid, the mosque built by Mughal commander Mir Baqi was demolished in 1992 by 'kar sevaks' under the belief that the site was Ram Janmabhoomi, or the birthplace of Rama, and a temple once existed there.