Approximately 400 individuals from diverse backgrounds actively participated in an event organized by the Shri Sita Ram Foundation (SSRF), a non-profit organization, as part of the celebrations marking the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Commencing on Saturday, January 27, 2024, the festivities unfolded with spiritual and soul-stirring songs, followed by a traditional Sundarkand recital, Ram Leela, Ram Bhajans, an elaborate havan featuring a specially designed Vedika, and the auspicious Pattabhishek of Lord Ram. The culmination of the event included a grand procession of Lord Ram and the distribution of specially brought-in prasad from Ayodhya.
The venue was adorned with numerous Indian national flags and flags dedicated to Lord Ram. A centerpiece of the event was a 4'x8' replica of the Ram Temple, capturing the hearts and attention of devotees.
Arun Verma, President of the Shri Sita Ram Foundation, expressed gratitude, stating, "With the grace of Lord Ram, despite challenging weather, we celebrated his return after 500 years, amidst a huge gathering of devotees, priests, and prominent leaders, with religious havan, cultural performances, and a captivating flower shower during the Ram Shobha procession."
The Shri Sita Ram Foundation, known for organizing annual cultural events in the Greater Houston area, including the Ram Leela Play in a prominent theater, the annual Dussehra/Diwali festival at Constellation Field Skeeter's Stadium in Sugar Land, and the annual Rath Yatra, successfully drew participants from various communities, including Indian Americans, mainstream Americans, and officials from different temples.
Notable guests at the event included Judge Julie Mathews, Judge Surendran Pattel, Dr. Dasika from Shri Sharadamba temple, Umang Mehta from Deep Foods, and priests from several temples. The day featured an elaborate havan, a spectacular Arti accompanied by a helicopter showering floral petals, and a specially flown-in prasad from Ayodhya as a concluding gesture, ensuring a spiritually fulfilling experience for all attendees.
The day-long celebration continued with an energetic parade vividly depicting different phases of Lord Ram's life, where devotees sang and danced to honor the glory of Shri Ram during the Ram Shobha procession. The new Ram Lalla idol was consecrated at the Ayodhya temple on January 22, in an event led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, witnessed by millions on television across the country.
(With Agency Inputs)
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