
Today marks the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, following the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment four years ago. The ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony for the idol of infant Lord Ram, Ram Lalla, is to be conducted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a grand event attended by over 7,000 people, including politicians, celebrities, industrialists, and international representatives.
Notable personalities such as Amitabh Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and others have been seen leaving for Ayodhya. Several states, including Uttar Pradesh, have declared a holiday, and markets will remain closed. The mega event will witness the presence of PM Modi, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, UP CM Yogi Adityanath, business tycoons Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani, and cricketing legends Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, and Virat Kohli.
Despite invitations to opposition leaders, the INDIA Opposition bloc has decided to boycott, accusing the ruling BJP of politicizing the event. LK Advani, a key figure in the Ram Mandir movement, will skip the inauguration due to extreme weather conditions.
The temple’s design, rooted in the traditional Nagara style, spans 70 acres and has been financed by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The consecration ceremony of the Ram Lalla idol, carved by sculptor Arun Yogiraj, will take place today, following pre-Pran Pratishtha rituals held from January 16 to 21.
PM Modi, the main ‘yajman,’ will perform the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ rituals, infused with an 11-day ‘anushthaan.’ Security measures in Ayodhya include 13,000 deployed forces, AI-powered CCTV, anti-drone technology, and heightened vigilance at the newly inaugurated Maharishi Valmiki International Airport.