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.