Indian Railways has taken a unique initiative to facilitate its passengers by live streaming the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Lalla in the Ayodhya Ram Mandir on January 22. According to sources, at least 9,000 screens at railway stations across the country will broadcast the live telecast of the ceremony. The move aims to provide an opportunity for passengers and the general public to witness the significant event, reinforcing the unity of the nation.
The Pran Pratishtha ceremony marks the consecration of the deity, Ram Lalla, and holds immense cultural and religious significance for millions of Indians. Indian Railways, being a vital part of the country’s transportation infrastructure, has decided to leverage its extensive network to ensure that the event is accessible to people from various regions.
Apart from Indian Railways, the Pran Pratishtha ceremony will also be broadcast on DD News and DD National channels of Doordarshan. Live telecast arrangements have been made in Ayodhya Dham itself, where a Media Centre is set to be established at Ram Katha Sangrahalay. Large LED TVs will be installed to facilitate the viewing of the telecast.
Moreover, it has been reported that the ceremony will be live-streamed at various Indian embassies and consulates overseas. This move aims to connect the global Indian community with this historic event and showcase the rich cultural heritage of the country.
In a notable development, the ceremony will be showcased at the iconic Times Square in New York City, USA. This initiative reflects the global significance of the event and the interest it has generated worldwide. It also echoes the sentiments of the Indian diaspora, reinforcing the cultural ties that bind them with their homeland.
This isn’t the first time that an event related to the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is being showcased at Times Square. In August 2020, a digital billboard featuring the Ram Mandir was displayed at Times Square during the ‘Bhoomi Pujan’ ceremony, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed the groundbreaking ritual.
The live streaming of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony is part of the broader efforts to make this historic event accessible to a wider audience. The consecration of Ram Lalla is a momentous occasion for millions of devotees, and these initiatives ensure that people from different corners of the country and the world can participate in the event, albeit virtually.
Additionally, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has instructed its workers to set up large screens for the live telecast of the Shri Ram consecration at the booth level. This grassroots initiative aims to provide a platform for the general public to witness the consecration of Shri Ram Lala at a local level. The BJP workers are encouraged to contribute in various ways, such as distributing blankets, organizing community feasts (‘bhandar’), and making donations in terms of food or fruits to help those in need.
The Vedic rituals for the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Lalla began on January 16, a week before the main ceremony on January 22. The seven-day ritual involves various religious ceremonies and preparations for placing the idol in the sanctum sanctorum. The culmination of this elaborate ritual will be the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony on January 22, marking the consecration of Ram Lalla.
While the physical presence of devotees at the ceremony may be limited due to various factors, the widespread live streaming initiatives by Indian Railways, Doordarshan, and other platforms ensure that the spiritual and cultural significance of the event is shared across the nation and beyond. These efforts not only highlight the unity in diversity but also showcase the adaptability of technology in connecting people with their cultural roots.