Voting is taking place today to select idol of Lord Ram Lalla which will be placed in the grand Ram Mandir of Ayodhya, set to be inaugurated next month.
Reports said the voting will take place at the meeting of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, where members will vote to select one among three idols made by separate sculptors.
Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra is the trust entrusted with the construction and management of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
"All three designs, made by separate sculptors, would be put on the table. The one idol that will get the most votes will be installed at the consecration of the shrine on January 22," news agency ANI quoted sources as saying.
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On Wednesday, trust secretary Champat Rai said that a 51-inch-tall idol of Lord Ram reflecting a five-year-old--Ram Lalla--would be selected among three designs. "The one that has the best divineness and has a childlike look about it will be selected," he said.
Meanwhile, Shri Ram Mandir Construction Committee Chairman Nripendra Misra on Thursday took stock of the ongoing construction work on the Ram Janmabhoomi Path and the complex along with the top official of the district, where PM Modi will be visiting on Saturday, December 30.
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PM Modi's Visit
Massive preparations are underway for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Ayodhya on Saturday where he will inaugurate an airport, a redeveloped railway station, flag off two new Amrit Bharat, six new Vande Bharat trains and a couple of other projects.
PM Modi will launch projects worth more than Rs 11,100 crore to revamp civic facilities and develop world-class infrastructure in Ayodhya, where the much-awaited Ram Mandir inauguration will be taking place next month. PM Modi will also inaugurate projects worth over Rs 4,600 crore for other parts of Uttar Pradesh on Saturday.
A thick security blanket is being put in place for PM Modi's Ayodhya visit with deployment of Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and National Security Guards (NSG) among other security forces.
Ram Mandir Inauguration to be Held Over 7 Days
As per temple officials, the consecration ceremony will be held over a span of seven days starting on January 16, the day when the host appointed by the temple trust will conduct the atonement ceremony. The 'Dashvidh' bath, Vishnu worship, and offering to cows will be held on the banks of the Saryu River.
- On January 17, a procession carrying the idol of Lord Ram in his child-like form (Ram Lalla) will reach Ayodhya. Devotees carrying Saryu water in Mangal Kalash will be reaching the Ram Janmabhoomi temple, ANI reported.
- On January 18, formal rituals will commence with the Ganesh Ambika puja, Varun puja, Matrika puja, Brahmin Varan, and Vastu Puja.
- On January 19, the holy fire is scheduled to be lit, followed by the establishment of 'Navagraha' and a 'havan' (holy ritual surrounding the fire).
- On January 20, the sanctum sanctorum of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple will be washed with Saryu water, after which the Vaastu Shanti and 'Annadhivas' rituals will take place.
- On January 21, the Ram Lalla idol will be bathed in 125 urns and finally be laid to rest.
- On January 22, the final day, after the morning puja, the deity of Ram Lala will be consecrated in 'Mrigashira Nakshatra' in the afternoon.
