The Countdown for Ramlalla’s Pran Pratishtha Ceremony Begins

The countdown for the grand Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ramlalla has begun. And everybody is waiting with bated breath to get the first glimpse of Ramlalla (Lord Ram) from inside the sanctum sanctorum of the newly-constructed Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, Ayodhya. Temple Trust General Secretary Champat Rai confirmed that the much-awaited Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ramlalla (consecration ceremony) will begin at 12:20 pm and be completed by 1 pm. As top dignitaries, celebrities, and wealthy devotees descend on Ayodhya in their private jets to attend the invite-only grand opening ceremony, billions of faithful across the country are marking this momentous event by making it inclusive and celebrating it by inviting friends from different faiths home. Some are organising cleanliness drives, cooking traditional sweets, having prayer meetings, sprucing up neighbourhoods, spending time in prayers, and reflecting on the profound teachings of Lord Ram. Perhaps, the most important takeaway in these tough times.

Food for the Gods

Chennai-based writer Latika Iyer, a single mother, has planned a ‘Ramlalla Potluck’ with her friends and their kids in her home. Some of her friends are government employees. “Thanks to the partial holiday, we all are finally meeting,” she says. The entire spread is vegetarian. Most of the dishes are traditional offerings served to the Lord. There is roasted makhana (fox nuts) and makhana kheer, moong dal halwa, kosambari (salad), panakam (a sweet refreshing drink), chalmidi (coconut-rice balls), lemon rice, wild berries, kesar laddoos, paan among other things. “It is fascinating to know that people from different regions have their distinct food offerings for Lord Ram,” avers Latika. They also plan to decorate the house with marigold flowers.

A Writer’s Delight

Celebrated author and diplomat, Amish Tripathi will be in Ayodhya on January 22 along with his wife Shivani. Amish says it’s an honour and divine grace to be in Ayodhya during the Pran Pratishtha ceremony. He feels that it is a civilizational moment. “It has almost never happened in world history that a pagan-idol-worshiping culture has rebuilt a major temple, once it was destroyed and another worship place built over it. The pagan Romans/Greeks, Pharaonic Egyptians, Central Americans, Zoroastrian Persians, among others weren’t allowed to rebuild, either because of violence or other pressures. The fact that this is happening in India, the only pre-bronze age culture that is still alive, is significant.