Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers prayers before the idol of Ram Lalla during the 'Pran Pratishtha' rituals at the Ram temple, in Ayodhya, Monday, January 22. PTI
LIVE | Ram Lalla consecrated; advent of new era, says PM Modi
The PM performed a series of rituals in the ‘grabhagriha’ – the sanctum sanctorum – with the ‘pran pratishtha’ taking place during the 84-second 'Abhijeet muhurta'.
The new Ram Lalla idol was consecrated at the Ayodhya temple on Monday (January 22), an event led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who said it marked the advent of a new era.
Lakhs of people watched the ‘pran pratishtha’ ceremony on television at their homes and in neighbourhood temples, becoming part of the historic event held just months ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
Army helicopters showered flower petals on the newly constructed Janmabhoomi temple as the ‘pran pratishtha’ ceremony took place. And celebrations broke out in parts of this Uttar Pradesh temple town with people singing and dancing.
"Today, our Ram has arrived. After a long wait for ages, our Ram has arrived. Our Ram Lalla will no longer live in a tent. Our Ram Lalla will stay in a magnificent temple," Modi said in his address that followed the consecration, which also marked the inauguration of the temple.
He recalled there were times when some people said the country would be on fire if the Temple was built.
"I would urge those people to rethink. Ram is not fire but energy. Ram is not a dispute, but a solution. Ram is not just ours but belongs to everyone. Ram is not just the present, but eternity," he said.
The PM performed a series of rituals in the ‘grabhagriha’ – the sanctum sanctorum -- with the ‘pran pratishtha’ taking place during the 84-second 'Abhijeet muhurta'. At the end, the PM prostrated himself before the 51-inch idol that depicts the child Ram.
The ceremony took place in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.
Top Opposition leaders skipped the ceremony.
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Live Updates
- 22 Jan 2024 1:54 PM IST
'Biggest spiritual ceremony in history'
"This (Pran Pratishtha) is the biggest spiritual ceremony in history. Crores of people have joined this event in person and virtually. Lord Ram's Pran Pratishtha is one of the biggest live events happening. From celebrities to industrialists, saints and leaders, all of them are present in Ayodhya today," Telangana BJP chief G Kishan Reddy tells PTI. - 22 Jan 2024 1:49 PM IST
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Union Minister Anurag Thakur says in Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, "One-sixth of the world's population resides in India. Whatever happens in India, makes a lasting impact on the world... This is a result of the sacrifice of lakhs of devotees and the faith of crores of them...This is the happiest day of our lives..."
- 22 Jan 2024 1:29 PM IST
New Ram Lalla idol
The idol of Ram Lalla during the 'Pran Pratishtha' rituals at the Ram temple, in Ayodhya, Monday, January 22. PTI
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