1st Photo Of Ram Lalla Idol Inside Ayodhya Temple’s Sanctum Sanctorum Surfaced

On Thursday afternoon, the newly crafted idol of Lord Ram was installed in the Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya, preceding the elaborate consecration ceremony scheduled for January 22. The initial image of the idol, crafted from black stone, portrays the deity as a five-year-old child standing. The 51-inch idol, skillfully sculpted by artist Arun Yogiraj from Mysuru, had its face concealed by a veil. Earlier in the day, the idol of Ram Lalla was positioned in the innermost chamber, accompanied by the recitation of prayers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the January 22 ‘pran pratishtha’ or consecration ceremony at the Ram temple, which is expected to be opened to the public the next day.

“Pran Pratistha’ means imbibing the idol with divine consciousness and is a must for every idol that is worshipped in a temple.

Also Read: Ram Temple inauguration: Half-day in all central government offices on Jan 22

Ayodhya Preparations: PM Urges Delayed Visits and Diya Lighting on January 22

The Prime Minister has urged the public not to visit Ayodhya on January 22 as “we would not like to cause any problems to Lord Ram”, adding that everyone can come starting January 23. He has also asked every Indian to light a diya in their house on January 22.

Over 11,000 guests have been invited by the temple trust and they include cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan.

The ceremony will also be attended by all the trustees of the temple trust, seers of about 150 sects and more than 500 people associated with the construction of the temple, who have been named the “Engineer Group”.

Rituals leading to the consecration ceremony have already begun at the temple, constructed at what many devout believe marks the spot where Lord Ram was born.

PM Modi is also strictly following a set of rules and rituals ahead of participation in the grand event, sources said. Sources said the Prime Minister is sleeping on the floor with only a blanket and has been only drinking coconut water.

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