Ayodhya Ram Mandir Opens Massive Crowd & Chaos, Chief Priest Terms It 'Treta Yuga'

Massive crowd was seen at the entry of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya as the temple opened for the public on Tuesday morning, a day after the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of Ram Lalla idol. The chief priest of the Ram temple said "it seems we have gone back to Treta Yug", the second and second best of the four yugas (world ages) in Hinduism. 

Visuals from the temple showed devotees thronging the main gate of Shri Ram Temple and even breaking through security set-up to offer prayers on Tuesday morning.

Devotees reportedly gathered in large numbers from 3 am to offer prayers and have Darshan of Shri Ram Lalla on the first morning after the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony.

As a large crowd gathered during the night near the ceremonial gateway that was decked up for the consecration ceremony, police told the devotees that they would only be allowed to enter the temple the following morning when it opens for the public.

For millions in India, Lord Ram "finally returned home" on Monday, January 22, with the consecration or 'Pran Pratishtha' of Ram Lalla idol in Shri Ram Mandir of 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 Ram Mandir: 'Pran Pratishtha' Done, Lord Ram 'Returns Home' For Millions | Highlights

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. 

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

Country Celebrates Second 'Diwali'

After the 'Pran Pratishtha' in the morning, Ayodhya Ram temple was lit up at night. The temple was decorated with bright lights with images of Lord Ram and Goddess Sita projected on a portion of the 'percota,' while the name 'Ram' was projected onto the main structure of the temple.

It was not just Ayodhya, but the entire seemed to celebrate 'Diwali' once again on Monday to celebrate the much-awaited 'Pran Pratishtha' of the Ram Lalla idol. Houses across the country were decorated with flowers and lights, lit diyas while people burst firecrackers throughout the evening in celebration.  

ALSO READ | 'Ram Is Not A Dispute...': In Ayodhya, PM Says Ram Lalla Will No Longer Live In Tent - Top Quotes

In the evening on Monday, an Aarti was performed on the Saryu riverbank in Ayodhya and was attended by many dignitaries and saints. After the consecration, a projection show was mounted at Ram Ki Paedi which went on till 7 pm. The programme was followed by a laser show and an "eco-friendly" fireworks display at the same location.

Seeing the huge influx of devotees at the Ram temple, chief priest of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Acharya Satyendra Das on Tuesday said it seems that we have gone back to "Treta Yug".

“After Pran Pratishtha, the [Ayodhya] Nagari has turned pure. In the Treta Yug, when Lord Ram came back, the Ayodhya Nagari was delighted...A glimpse of the Treta Yug is visible today. So many Bhakts have come to Ayodhya now and Jai Shree Ram chants are echoing here; it seems that we have gone back to Ayodhya during the Treta Yug times,” news agency ANI quoted the chief priest as saying.

How To Book Aarti

Devotees can visit the Ram temple and have darshan from 7 am to 11:30 am and 2 pm to 7 pm. 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." 

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 was at the Ram Temple site till 1992, was constructed at the site of a temple marking the birthplace of Lord Ram.