Auspicious Installation of Ram Lalla Idol Sets the Stage for Today's 'Hawan' Ritual

In an auspicious ceremony, the 51-inch-tall idol of Ram Lalla, sculpted by Arun Yogiraj, was installed in Ayodhya. The ceremony, attended by members of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, involved rituals like "Jaladhivas" and "Gandhadhivas." Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi released commemorative stamps dedicated to the temple, emphasizing their significance in promoting knowledge about Lord Ram.

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In a momentous ceremony, the 51-inch-tall idol of Ram Lalla, intricately sculpted by the talented artist Arun Yogiraj, was officially installed in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple at 1.28 pm on Thursday. The timing was deemed "auspicious" by the attending priests. The ceremony, attended by prominent figures from the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, including Anil Mishra, Champat Rai, and Swami Govind Giri, marked a significant milestone in the ongoing developments at the historic site.

The installation process, carefully supervised by a team of engineers, was necessitated by the substantial weight of the idol, which stands at an impressive 200 kilograms. As the chants of hymns echoed through the sacred space, the idol was adorned with wet cloth as part of the traditional "Jaladhivas" ritual. Subsequently, it was covered with a special paste made from Chandan and Kesar, a step integral to the "Gandhadhivas" ceremony.

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Simultaneously, parallel rituals commenced on the older idol, referred to as the "Rajat" or "Utsav" idol. Post-installation, the sanctum was cleansed, and a curtain was drawn, restricting access to only the Acharya and the "Yajman," who would perform a series of consecrating rituals. These rituals included Ganesh Ambika Pujan, Varun Pujan, and Vastu Pujan, emphasizing the sanctity of the occasion.

In Ayodhya, one of the priests elaborated on the significance of the "Jaladhivas" ritual, stating that while ideally, the idol is submerged in river water, the sheer size of this particular idol led to the usage of a water kalash (urn) placed at its feet, with a cloth soaked in water draped over it.

Looking ahead, the ceremonies are set to continue, with the 'hawan' scheduled to commence around 9 am on Friday at the mandap, located approximately 100 meters from the temple. This sacred fire will burn until January 22, and the flames will be utilized to light the 'nine kundas' in the nine corners of the temple, ensuring a continuous divine presence.

Meanwhile, in a parallel event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took part in the celebrations by releasing six special commemorative postage stamps dedicated to the temple. The Prime Minister highlighted the stamps' role in educating the younger generation about the life of Lord Ram, emphasizing that the teachings of Ramayana transcend the boundaries of time, society, and caste. The event also showcased an album featuring stamps related to Lord Ram issued in various countries, reinforcing the global resonance of this historic occasion.