As a multitude of devotees flooded the gates of the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir on its inaugural day for public access, Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Chief Priest, Acharya Satyendra Das, drew parallels to the times of ‘Treta Yug,’ suggesting that Ayodhya has returned to an era reminiscent of Lord Ram’s residence.
Speaking with ANI on Tuesday, Acharya Satyendra Das expressed the profound transformation of Ayodhya after the ‘Pran Pratishtha,’ likening the atmosphere to the joyous days of ‘Treta Yug’ when Lord Ram first returned. “The Ayodhya nagari has turned pure. A glimpse of the Treta Yug is visible today. Jai Shree Ram chants are echoing here; it seems that we have gone back to Ayodhya during the Treta Yug times,” he remarked.
Acknowledging the overwhelming number of devotees seeking a glimpse of Lord Ram, Acharya Satyendra Das predicted that the temple gates would remain crowded for the next few days, highlighting the difficulty for everyone to pay their respects on the first day of the temple’s public opening.
The surge in the crowd on Tuesday was attributed to the presence of 4000 saints and priests from across the country, each accompanied by a group of devotees. Despite the challenges posed by the extensive gathering, Acharya Das marveled at the palpable excitement among devotees, describing Ayodhya as divine, beautiful, and ‘Rammay.’
Detailing the morning rituals, he mentioned the 6:30 am Aarti and noted that a new system for Aarti and Bhog would be established in the coming days. Both the newly consecrated idol, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the older smaller idols are currently being worshipped, providing devotees with the opportunity for ‘darshan’ from early morning.
The heightened security at the temple reflects the substantial rush of devotees eager to have ‘Darshan’ of Lord Ram Lalla, marking a historic moment that resonates with celebrations across the nation. The ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony, performed by Prime Minister Modi, remains a focal point, symbolizing Lord Ram’s triumphant return to his divine throne.