• Thursday, May 09, 2024

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Modi begins ‘special ritual’ 11 days ahead of Ram Mandir inauguration: ‘I am fortunate…’

The Lord has made him an instrument to represent all the people of India during the consecration, the PM said in a social media post.

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi addresses an event at Ram Mandir in Ayodhya in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh on August 5, 2020. He was present at the site on the day for the groundbreaking ceremony. (ANI Photo)

By: Shubham Ghosh

INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi on Friday (12) started a special religious practice in the run-up to the Ram Mandir consecration ceremony in the northern temple town of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh on January 22. He will inaugurate the temple in what is being projected as a mega show.

In a post on X, the prime minister, who was on a visit to the western state of Maharashtra, said, “Only 11 days are left for the consecration of Ramlala in Ayodhya. I am fortunate that I will also be a witness to this auspicious occasion. The Lord has made me an instrument to represent all the people of India during the consecration.”

“Keeping this in mind, I am starting a special ritual of 11 days from today. I am seeking blessings from all the people. At this moment, it is very difficult to express my feelings in words, but I have tried from my side…,” he added.

Read: Expecting mothers in India’s UP want to give birth on January 22, the day of Ram Mandir inauguration

The consecration or ‘Pran Pratistha’ ceremony is a ritual of infusing divine consciousness into an earthly idol. Rules for fasting before the ritual have also been prescribed in the scriptures.

Read: Ram Mandir fever grips US, Europe: Times Square, Eiffel Tower to host events

Rituals for the ‘Pran Pratistha’ ceremony in Ayodhya will kick off on January 16. Ayodhya will also observe ‘Amrit Mahotsav’ between January 14 and 22, the day of the ceremony. A priest from the Hindu holy city of Varanasi will perform the main rituals.

The occasion will see several thousands of high-profile Indians, including political leaders, industrialists, sportspersons and celebrities besides millions of devotees in attendance. Guests are also expected to come from abroad.

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