Ram temple event | Modi: 'I am emotional. First time in life, I am experiencing such feelings'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (January 12) began a special 11-day religious exercise ahead of the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22.

In a message, he said it is his good fortune that he will be a witness to this auspicious occasion.

He said God has chosen him as an instrument to represent all Indians during the 'Pran Pratishtha' exercise and that he is undertaking the special religious exercise keeping this in mind.

"I seek blessing from people," he said on X.

The prime minister posted an audio message, noting that it is difficult to articulate one's sentiments at this time but he is making an attempt.

"I am emotional. First time in life, I am experiencing such feelings," he said.

Officials said Modi will be following the arduous guidelines detailed in scriptures related to the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony.

He is starting the special exercise going by the guidelines he has received from eminent people on spiritual journey.

The prime minister will start the rituals from Dham-Panchvati in Nashik where Lord Ram is believed to have spent a lot of time, he said.

Noting that it is also the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, he said the spiritual guru had stirred the soul of the nation and the self-confidence he underlined is now reflecting in the form of a grand Ram temple.

It is also the birth anniversary of Jijabai, the mother of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji, he noted.

On this occasion, he said it is natural for him to remember his mother who continued to chant 'Sita Ram' till the end of her life.

Modi said when he witnesses the occasion, 140 crore Indians will be in his heart and so will be the memories of uncountable number of people whose sole purpose has been the construction of the Ram temple.

Asserting that the masses are also a form of God, he said their blessings infuse him with new energy and urged them to share with him their views and bless him.