The inaugural glimpse of the new idol of Lord Ram, shrouded in a white cloth, has been unveiled, showcasing the exquisite craftsmanship of Mysuru-based artist Arun Yogiraj.
Crafted from black stone and standing at an impressive 51 inches, this rendition of Lord Ram as a five-year-old child graces Ayodhya's Ram Janmabhoomi temple. The ceremonious placement of the idol inside the temple took place on Thursday, setting the stage for the grand consecration ceremony scheduled for January 22.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to grace the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony on January 22, an event where the idol is invested with divine consciousness, a vital step in the consecration of every worshipped deity in a temple. The temple is anticipated to open to the public the following day.
In light of the occasion, Prime Minister Modi has urged the public to refrain from visiting Ayodhya on January 22 to avoid causing any disruption to the sacred proceedings. Instead, he welcomes visitors from January 23 onwards.
The temple trust has extended invitations to over 11,000 guests, including cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, as well as Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan. Noteworthy attendees encompass all trustees of the temple, seers representing around 150 sects, and a significant contingent of over 500 individuals associated with the temple's construction, aptly named the "Engineer Group."
The temple's consecration rituals have already commenced, marking a momentous juncture at the site believed by many devout followers to be the birthplace of Lord Ram.
(With Agency Inputs)
ALSO READ | Ram Lalla Idol Crafted by Arun Yogiraj to Be Installed in Ayodhya
