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Tag: Ram Lalla Idol

  • Debate Erupts in Assembly Over Color of Ram Lalla Idol

    Debate Erupts in Assembly Over Color of Ram Lalla Idol

    A contentious debate erupted in the Uttarakhand Assembly on Wednesday, with members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Opposition clashing over the color of the Ram Lalla idol installed in the newly constructed temple in Ayodhya. The heated exchange unfolded during discussions on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, adding a religious dimension to the legislative proceedings.

     

    Congress MLA from Jaspur, Adesh Singh Chauhan, ignited the debate by accusing the BJP of deviating from Hindu scriptures by portraying the Ram Lalla idol in Ayodhya as “black” instead of “sanwala” (dusky), as described in Hindu scriptures. His remarks triggered a sharp response from parliamentary affairs minister Premchand Aggarwal, who urged Chauhan to refrain from making derogatory comments about Lord Ram and focus on the UCC Bill.

     

    Aggarwal further criticized the Congress, accusing it of denying the existence of Lord Ram altogether. However, the Speaker of the Assembly, Ritu Khanduri, intervened to steer the discussion back to the UCC, reminding Chauhan to stay on topic.

     

    The controversy over the color of the Ram Lalla idol stems from the recent unveiling of the idol during the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at the newly constructed temple in Ayodhya on January 22. The ceremony, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marked a significant milestone in the construction of the grand temple. The new idol, known as “Balak Ram,” depicts the deity as a five-year-old boy standing upright.

     

    Adorned in Banarasi fabric with a yellow dhoti and a red ‘pataka’ or ‘angavastram,’ the new idol symbolizes a sacred representation of Lord Ram. Additionally, the previous idol of Ram Lalla, previously housed in a makeshift shrine, has been relocated in front of the new idol, now referred to as the ‘Utsav idol.’

     

    The debate in the Uttarakhand Assembly reflects broader discussions and sentiments surrounding religious symbolism and interpretations, particularly in the context of significant cultural and religious events like the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. While the political discourse continues, the unveiling of the new Ram Lalla idol signifies a momentous occasion for devotees and marks a significant chapter in India’s religious landscape.

  • Priest Says Unveiling of Ram Lalla’s Eyes Await Ceremony

    Priest Says Unveiling of Ram Lalla’s Eyes Await Ceremony

    Acharya Satyendra Das, the Chief Priest of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Temple, made a significant announcement on Saturday regarding the unveiling of the eyes of the Ram Lalla idol in Ayodhya. He stated that the revelation of the idol’s eyes would only occur after the completion of the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony, scheduled for January 22.

     

    The ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony holds immense importance as it marks the establishment of divine life force in the idol of Lord Ram. Crafted by Arun Yogiraj, the Ram Lalla idol was positioned inside the Sanctum Santorum during a placement ceremony on Thursday. Despite this, pictures of the idol with what appeared to be ‘naked’ eyes surfaced on the internet.

     

    Addressing the situation, Acharya Satyendra Das clarified, “The eyes of Lord Ram’s idol cannot be revealed before Pran Pratishtha is completed. The idol where the eyes of Lord Ram can be seen is not the real idol. If the eyes can be seen, an investigation should be done on who revealed the eyes and how the pictures of the idol are going viral.”

     

    He emphasized the adherence to traditional procedures, stating that all rituals would be carried out as usual. However, the Chief Priest stressed that the eyes of Ram Lalla would remain veiled until the completion of the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony.

     

    Discussing the procedures for carrying the tent idol of Shri Ram Lalla to the temple, Acharya Satyendra Das explained, “It will be established in the Sanctum Santorum of the temple, where the new idol will be installed. There is also no auspicious timing for this. An auspicious timing is predicted when something new has to be done. This is a procedure.”

     

    He also speculated on the individual responsible for carrying the idol to the temple, suggesting that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath might undertake this significant task.

     

    The origin of the ‘tent idol’ of Shri Ram Lalla can be traced back to 1949 when Hindu leaders reportedly placed the idol inside the Babri Masjid, claiming the manifestation of Lord Ram. In 1992, following the demolition of the Babri Masjid, a makeshift idol was installed in a tent, where worship ceremonies commenced.

     

    Acharya Satyendra Das also shed light on the ‘Aunshthan’ conducted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in preparation for the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ Day. “The person who does ‘Anushthan’ has to sleep on the floor, not to speak lies, chant mantras like ‘Gayatri mantra’, has to eat on a leaf and follow ‘Brahmacharya’,” he explained.

     

    Prime Minister Modi had earlier announced his intention to initiate an 11-day ‘Anushthan’ ritual preceding the Pran Pratishtha ceremony, showcasing a unique spiritual commitment. The ‘Pran Pratishtha’ scheduled for January 22 will be conducted by Prime Minister Modi himself, with the ceremonies overseen by a group of priests led by Lakshami Kant Dixit.

     

    As Ayodhya prepares for this historic event, the announcement by the Chief Priest adds an extra layer of significance, emphasizing the adherence to sacred rituals and traditions in the process of consecrating the new Ram Lalla idol.

  • Ayodhya Mandir: Arun Yogiraj’s Idol to Grace Garbha Griha

    Ayodhya Mandir: Arun Yogiraj’s Idol to Grace Garbha Griha

    The Ram Mandir Trust announced that the idol of Ram Lalla, sculpted by Arun Yogiraj from Mysuru, will be placed in the ‘Garbha Griha’ of the temple on January 18. This idol, weighing approximately 150-200 kg, will be consecrated in the sanctum sanctorum of the new Ram temple. The current idol of Ram Lalla will also be retained in the temple.

     

    The ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony is a crucial religious event, marking the consecration of the Ram Mandir. It involves meticulous rituals and has been scheduled for January 22 at 12:20 PM. The religious ceremonies will commence on January 16 and continue until January 21. During this period, the temple will be closed for darshan on January 20 and 21.

     

    Ganeshwar Shastri Dravid of Varanasi has determined the auspicious timing for the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony, and 121 Acharyas will be involved in conducting the rituals. The proceedings will be overseen by Ganeshwar Shastri Dravid, with Luckshmikant Dixit of Kashi serving as the principal Acharya.

     

    Arun Yogiraj, the sculptor of the chosen idol, comes from a family of renowned sculptors in Mysore. His work includes notable idols like the one of Adi Shankaracharya in Kedarnath and the statue of Subhash Chandra Bose near India Gate in New Delhi. Arun Yogiraj emphasized the divinity and childlike features of the idol, expressing his happiness with the selection.

     

    The consecration ceremony of the Ram Mandir has garnered widespread attention, and the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries highlights the cultural and religious significance of the occasion. The meticulous planning of rituals, the selection of the idol, and the overall preparations are conducted with great care to ensure the sanctity and success of the event.

     

    As the date approaches, devotees from across the country are expected to participate in the ceremonies and witness the historic moment of consecration at the Ram Mandir. The completion of the temple holds deep religious and cultural importance for millions of people, and the consecration marks a significant milestone in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.

  • Ayodhya Temple’s Ground Floor Construction to Finish by December

    Ayodhya Temple’s Ground Floor Construction to Finish by December

    In a significant development, Nripendra Mishra, the Chairperson of the Ram Temple Construction Committee, has shared updates on the progress of the Ayodhya Ram Temple’s construction. According to a report by news agency PTI, Mishra stated that the construction of the ground floor of the three-storey temple is on track to be completed by the end of December. Furthermore, the much-anticipated consecration ceremony, known as “pran pratishtha,” is scheduled to take place on January 22.

     

    One of the most noteworthy aspects of this announcement is the expected participation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an event related to the “pran pratishtha” ceremony. Mishra revealed that the Prime Minister is likely to be part of the event, which is set to occur sometime between January 20 and 24. However, the final date for the Prime Minister’s participation is yet to be officially communicated by the Prime Minister’s Office.

     

    “It was planned to complete the construction of the ground floor of the temple by December 2023, and this work will definitely be completed within the stipulated time,” Mishra assured, underlining the commitment to meeting the construction timeline.

     

    Additionally, the report highlighted an intriguing development regarding the temple’s design. The construction team is currently working on an apparatus that will be installed on the temple’s “shikhar” (spire). This apparatus has a unique purpose: it will align sun rays to fall momentarily on the forehead of the deity in the sanctum sanctorum during the celebration of Ram Navami every year. The design and creation of this innovative apparatus are being overseen by scientists in Bengaluru.

     

    As previously stated, the Ram Temple is expected to be opened for devotees on January 24 following the consecration of the Ram Lalla idol, a prediction made by Mishra in June.

     

    The path to the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya was cleared in 2019 following a historic judgement by the Supreme Court. The Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, responsible for the temple’s construction, will formally invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi to participate in the consecration ceremony, during which the Ram Lalla idol will be installed in the temple’s sanctum sanctorum.

     

    The process of consecration for Ram Lalla is likely to commence after Makar Sankranti on January 14, and it will involve a 10-day ritual known as “pran pratishtha.”

     

    Chairperson Nripendra Mishra also emphasized the temple’s longevity, expressing a vision that its structure will endure for at least 1,000 years. The Ram Temple project has been a significant cultural and religious undertaking in India, symbolizing the fulfillment of a long-cherished dream for many devotees.

     

    This announcement marks a major milestone in the construction of the Ayodhya Ram Temple and the realization of the aspirations of countless devotees who have been eagerly awaiting its completion.