Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh), January 22 (ANI): Despite Congress’s refusal of the invitation for Shri Ram Lalla’s Pran Pratishtha in Ayodhya today, Himachal Pradesh’s party leader and Minister, Vikramaditya Singh, arrived in the holy city and actively took part in the elaborate ceremony at the Ram Mandir. The Himachal Pradesh PWD minister observed the grand Pran Pratishtha of Lord Ram at the Ram Mandir. Earlier, Himachal Pradesh, being the sole Congress-ruled state, declared a half-day off for all state government workers.
Senior Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury had declined’ the invitation for the grand event in Ayodhya.
“Lord Ram is worshipped by millions in our country. Religion is a personal matter. But the RSS and BJP have long made a political project of the temple in Ayodhya. The inauguration of the incomplete temple by the leaders of the BJP and the RSS has obviously been brought forward for electoral gain.
While abiding by the 2019 Supreme Court judgement and honouring the sentiments of millions who revere Lord Ram, Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury have respectfully declined the invitation to what is clearly an RSS and BJP event,” the Congress had said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Shri Ramlalla in the newly-built Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya on Monday.
The Prime Minister reached Ayodhya earlier in the day to take part in the auspicious ceremony.
“The divine moment of Pran Prathishta of Shri Ram Lala in Ayodhya Dham is an emotional moment for everyone. It is my good fortune to be part of this unique programme. Jai Siyaram,” PM Modi said in a tweet.
RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and state Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath are also attending the ceremony being held at the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.
Over 8,000 guests have been invited for the ceremony at the grand temple.
The temple is constructed in the traditional Nagara style. Its length (east-west) is 380 feet; width is 250 feet and height is 161 feet; and is supported by a total of 392 pillars and 44 doors.
The pillars and walls of the temple showcase intricately sculpted depictions of Hindu deities, gods, and goddesses. In the main sanctum sanctorum on the ground floor, the childhood form of Bhagwan Shri Ram (the idol of Shri Ramlalla) has been placed.
The main entrance to the temple is situated on the eastern side, which can be approached by ascending 32 stairs through the Singh Dwar.
There are a total of five Mandaps (Halls) in the Mandir – Nritya Mandap, Rang Mandap, Sabha Mandap, Prathana Mandap and Kirtan Mandap.
Near the temple is a historic well (Sita koop), dating back to the ancient era. In the southwestern part of the temple’s complex, at Kuber Tila, the ancient temple of Bhagwan Shiv has been restored, along with the installation of a statue of Jatayu.
QUOTE: The inauguration of the incomplete temple by the leaders of the BJP and the RSS has obviously been brought forward for electoral gain.