Ram Temple, Ayodhya: Lord Ram’s Child Form Idol Nearing Completion

As the nation anticipates the historic inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22, preparations are in full swing, with the General Secretary of Shri Ram Janambhoomi Trust, Champat Rai, providing key updates.

Rai announced that the idol depicting the child form of Lord Ram is nearing completion, with three artisans simultaneously crafting the 4’3” idol on separate pieces of stone. The idols are now 90 percent ready, and the finishing touches are expected to be concluded within a week. The ground floor of the temple, where the idol will be installed in the ‘Grabhgriha,’ is nearly complete, ensuring a smooth ‘Praan-Pratishtha’ (Consecration ceremony).

At least 4,000 sadhus are set to participate in the ‘Praan-Pratishtha’ ceremony, and the invitation list is finalized. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to attend the inauguration, and representatives of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Tirtha Kshetra, accompanied by religious leaders, recently extended an invitation to the Prime Minister.

The sacred Vedic rituals for the Pran-Pratishtha ceremony, officiated by Vedic priest Lakshmi Kant Dixit from Varanasi, are scheduled to commence on January 16, 2024—marking a week of spiritual activities leading up to the main ceremony on January 22.

Ayodhya will observe the Amrit Mahautsav from January 14 to January 22, with a significant event being the 1008 Hundi Mahayagya, where thousands will be provided with food as part of the celebrations. The Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirath Kshetra Trust has meticulously planned the enthronement of Ram Lalla in the temple’s sanctum-sanctorum, inviting 4,000 saints representing various sects to participate in the ceremony.

The construction of the Ram Temple, initiated following the Supreme Court’s landmark verdict in 2019, has been advancing steadily under the supervision of the Shri Ram Janma Bhoomi Tirtha Kshetra Trust. The foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Modi on August 5, 2020, and the Trust recently shared images of the ongoing floor inlay work and intricate carvings inside the temple.

With the long-awaited inauguration just around the corner, the nation eagerly awaits this historic moment that symbolizes cultural and spiritual significance for millions.