Uttarakhand Government Orders Closure of Liquor Shops on the day of Ram Temple Inauguration

In anticipation of the “Pran Pratishtha” ceremony at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22, the Uttarakhand government has directed the closure of all liquor shops, bars, and departmental stores across the state on that day. The announcement aims to mark the significant event as Vedic rituals for the Pran-Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Lalla are scheduled to commence on January 16, a week before the main ceremony.

The Excise Commissioner of Uttarakhand issued the directive on Friday, ensuring that the closure aligns with the celebrations surrounding the inauguration of the Ram Temple. The decision mirrors a similar move by the Uttar Pradesh Excise Commissioner, who instructed the closure of all liquor shops in the state on January 22, emphasizing the importance of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at Shri Ram’s birthplace in Ayodhya.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the installation of the idol of Ram Lalla at the grand temple on January 22. The consecration ceremony will be conducted by priest Lakshmi Kant Dixit from Varanasi. The festivities in Ayodhya, spanning from January 14 to January 22, will include the Amrit Mahotsav and a 1008 Hundi Mahayagya, with arrangements made to accommodate thousands of devotees.

As the preparations for the grand ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony gain momentum, the closure of liquor shops in both Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh reflects the reverence and significance attributed to this historic event by the respective state governments.