1. Ayodhya’s newly consecrated Ram Mandir opened its doors to the public on January 23.
2. Nearly 3 lakh devotees visited the temple on Tuesday morning after the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony.
3. The temple now offers darshan during two time slots daily, allowing devotees to witness the 51-inch tall Ram Lalla idol crafted by Arun Yogiraj.
Ayodhya, Jan 23: The newly consecrated Ram Mandir in Ayodhya opened its doors to the public on January 23. Nearly 3 lakh devotees visited the temple on Tuesday morning, following an elaborate ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other key figures.
The Ram temple in Ayodhya now welcomes visitors during two daily time slots: from 7 AM to 11:30 AM and then from 2 PM to 7 PM. The focal point of Monday’s festivities was the installation of the 51-inch tall Ram Lalla idol, crafted by Mysuru-based sculptor Arun Yogiraj.
Devotees queued up since 3 AM to gain entry, witness Ram Lalla, and offer prayers. Due to the overwhelming influx, darshan was briefly paused.
The temple administration, in coordination with the police, made this decision to manage the crowd and ensure safety. Currently, only devotees already within the complex are allowed darshan, and entry for new visitors will resume at 2 PM.
ADG Piyush Mordia of Lucknow Zone urged visitors to avoid unnecessary delays by taking photos and posting them on social media, emphasizing the need to follow police guidelines and cooperate with crowd control measures. Vehicular movement has been temporarily halted near the Panch Kosi Parikrama path.
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The spiritual ambience in Ayodhya continued on Monday as devotees braved the cold weather. Chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and Ram bhajans filled the air, complemented by folk dancers and a religious troupe from Bhopal. The Uttar Pradesh Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) band played patriotic tunes, contributing to the joyous atmosphere.
Residents lit diyas outside their homes as dusk fell, reminiscent of Diwali, celebrating Lord Ram’s homecoming.
The temple is expected to attract lakhs of pilgrims and tourists eager to witness the divine structure and offer prayers in the coming days.
After participating in the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony, PM Modi declared the consecration of the Ram Lalla idol in Ayodhya as the advent of a new era.
He called on people to go beyond the temple’s construction and build the foundation of a strong, grand, and divine India for the next 1,000 years.
Addressing critics, he emphasized that the Ram Mandir’s construction symbolizes peace, patience, harmony, and amity in Indian society.
He expressed gratitude to the Supreme Court for doing justice and paving the way for the temple’s construction at the once-disputed site by law.
PM Modi sought to strike an emotional chord, stating that “our Ram” has arrived after centuries of wait, patience, and sacrifices. “Our Ram Lalla will no longer live in a tent; our Ram Lalla will stay in a magnificent temple,” he concluded.
