Lakhs of devotees have started arriving in Ayodhya to be a part of the grand 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of the Lord Ram temple. The city of Ayodhya has been decorated with colourful lights while devotees continue to chant ‘Ram naam’ and hymns praising Lord Ram. Some of the devotees are dressed as Ram Sita as well.
It is pertinent to mention here that the picture of the divine idol of Shri Ram has come to light. Ram Lalla is adorned with flowers, ornaments, a crown on his head, a garland, and a necklace around his neck.
A devotee in Ayodhya said, “I am very happy that Ram Lalla has finally come to Ayodhya. We have waited so long for him. I cannot describe my happiness on this occasion.”
A yellow cloth has been tied around the face of the divine idol of Ram Lalla. The cloth will be opened during pran pratishtha ceremony on January 22.
Elaborate religious rituals are being conducted in the temple premises ahead of the prana pratishtha ceremony. All the rituals are taking place at the Temple, after which Ramlalla's soul will be established on January 22.
Meanwhile, the temple is being decorated with flowers and lights. Not only the temple, but the entire city of Ayodhya is decorated with flowers. For this, 1100 tons of flowers have reached the city.
Ayodhya will resonate with the sound of 1111 conch shells during the Pran Pratishtha ceremony on January 22.
There are plans to blow the conch shells at 12.20 p.m. as soon as the ceremony begins, and it will continue till the end of the mahurat. The sound of conch shells will be heard far off.
Meanwhile, several state governments have announced a holiday for their employees on January 22, 2024, for the inauguration of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir. The Central government has said that PSU banks will also be closed for half-day.
As per the notification, public sector banks, insurance companies, financial institutions, and regional rural banks (RRBs) across the country will remain closed for half-day on January 22.