From the holy town of Ayodhya to Times Square in New York, grand celebrations were organized across the globe to mark the ‘pran pratishtha’ of the glorious Ram Temple.
Ram Lalla will no longer stay in a tent. After the beautiful new idol of Lord Ram as a child was consecrated at the newly built Ram Temple in Ayodhya amid the presence of several prominent people of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: “Our Ram has arrived.” And millions across the globe watching live the ‘pran pratishtha’ ceremony cheered.
“Lord Ram has finally arrived (in his abode) following the wait of centuries. There must be something lacking in our effort, sacrifice and penance that we could not do this work for so many centuries. Today, the work has been completed. I believe that Lord Ram will forgive us today,” said an emotional PM Modi as thousands cheered as they attended the ceremony Sunday in the Uttar Pradesh town. Ayodhya is considered the birthplace of Lord Ram, the most revered deity of Hindus.
“This moment is divine, this moment is the holiest of all,” Modi added.
Modi also thanked the Supreme Court of India which paved the way for the construction of the temple by delivering the verdict on November 9, 2019.
He also performed ‘parikrama’ at the sanctum sanctorum of Ram Mandir after the ‘pran pratishtha’ rituals were concluded.
“January 22, 2024, is not just a date, but the beginning of a new era. The construction of Ram Mandir has filled people with a new energy,” Modi said.
India’s Foreign Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar wrote on social media platform X, “At the Pran Pratishtha ceremony today, the soul of a civilization finds expression once again. And the message of virtue, honor, justice and commitment reverberates around the world.”
Traditional clarinets played devotional music during the rituals for the 51-inch tall, black stone Ram Lalla, while politicians, businessmen, sports and media stars watched. The majestic idol, oozing compassion and benevolence for all, was finally unveiled to the world.
Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh Chief Mohan Bhagwat, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were present in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.
Celebrities in attendance included superstar Amitabh Bachchan, mega billionaire Mukesh Ambani, and cricket icons Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli.
The ceremony was completed amid blowing of conch shells and a helicopter showered flower petals on the temple.
Thousands clad in saffron clothes danced in the streets, waving saffron flags as they chanted religious slogans.
People across the globe celebrated the auspicious occasion.
The mesmerizing black marble 51-inch idol of Ram Lalla that was unveiled to the world on January 22 oozes compassion and benevolence for all.
The Indian American community staged a massive car rally in Houston and Hicksville on Sunday as New York’s Times Square was illuminated with vibrant colors.
The Times Square hosted a lively celebration for Ayodhya’s Ram Temple opening, resounding with Jai Shri Ram chants amid festive fervor.
The city of Queretaro in Mexico got its first temple dedicated to Lord Ram with its ‘pran pratishtha’ ceremony being performed by an American priest.
Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is expected to have a big economic impact in the region as tourism is projected to surge to 5 crore visitors every year to the holy town, according to global brokerage firm Jeffries.
Like a second Diwali
After the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony, the nation was gripped in Diwali-like fervor in the evening with Lord Ram chants, posters, saffron flags, diyas, and firecrackers.
A large number of people, including celebrities and leaders, celebrated ‘Deepotsav’ at their homes. Some took to the streets, set up illumination, and burst firecrackers.
“It is like a second Diwali for us and we are lighting diyas,” was the common sentiment among people. For the festival of Diwali in October-November, Hindus illuminate their homes to celebrate the return to Ayodhya of Shri Ram, wife Sita, and brother Lakshman after 14 years of exile.
Firecrackers filled the sky over Chandigarh as people celebrated the Ram temple inauguration.
In Chhattisgarh capital Raipur’s Kota area, people lit up earthen lamps in large numbers to mark the event.
Massive ‘Deepotsav’ like celebrations were held at Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar.
Several people in the northeast also celebrated the consecration of Ram temple. As many as one lakh earthen lamps were lit at the revered Kamakhya temple and the Basistha temple in Guwahati.
Bhandaras (community kitchens) were organized across the country to mark the celebration.
Also see our earlier story on the Ram temple:
