Ayodhya Gears Up for Grand Consecration Ceremony: 50 Eminent Kashi Personalities Invited

The holy city of Ayodhya is abuzz with preparations for the upcoming Pran-Pratishtha ceremony, scheduled for January 22, 2024. This momentous occasion will mark the consecration of the new idol of Lord Ram in the innermost sanctum of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple.

In a unique move, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has extended invitations to 50 distinguished personalities from Kashi, meticulously chosen for their deep connection to the city's rich cultural tapestry. This deliberate exclusion of political figures underscores the ceremony's focus on Ayodhya's spiritual and artistic heritage.

Govind Sharma, the Sangathan Mantri of Shri Kashi Vidvat Parishad, has been entrusted with the solemn duty of personally delivering these invitations. Each letter carries a heartfelt message emphasizing the importance of witnessing this historic event. Sharma revealed that the distribution began last Friday and the ceremony itself is expected to be a three-hour long spectacle graced by around 7,000 guests from across the nation.

The presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lend even greater significance to the occasion. He is scheduled to perform the sacred Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla, officially marking the commencement of rituals at the grand Ram Mandir. Modi will also join the inaugural aarti, seeking blessings from the deity. Following the consecration, he will visit the magnificent temple, immersing himself in the divine aura of Lord Ram.

On January 23, all the saints and religious leaders present in Ayodhya will receive a special prasad – blessings from Ram Lala himself. The event will be a grand confluence of spirituality, with around 7,000 saints representing diverse traditions from all corners of India expected to attend. A specially erected tent city will provide them with comfortable accommodation and meals.

Among the esteemed invitees from Kashi are revered figures like Swami Jeetendranand Saraswati, Mahamandaleshwar Santosh Das Satua Baba, and Mahant Balak Das from Pattharpuri. Spiritual leaders like Mahant Shankar Puri from Annapurna Temple, Mahant Bharat Bhushan from Ravidas Temple, and Govind Das Shakhi from Kabir Math will also grace the occasion with their presence. The academic community will be represented by Prof. Vashisht Tripathi, President of Shri Kashi Vidvat Parishad, and Prof. Vishwambhar Nath Mishra from Sankat Mochan Temple. Renowned artists like Padmashree Rajeshwar Acharya and Swami Shivanand, along with Padmashree Ritvik Sanyal and Prof. Ramnarayan Dwivedi from BHU, will add their artistic touch to the ceremony.

As Ayodhya prepares to welcome this historic event, the excitement is palpable. The air is thick with anticipation, and the city eagerly awaits the moment when Lord Ram's divine presence fills the newly consecrated sanctum. The ceremony promises to be a grand testament to Ayodhya's enduring spiritual legacy, uniting people from all walks of life in celebration and devotion.