In honour of the “Pran Pratishtha” ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22, the Uttarakhand government has declared the closure of liquor shops, bars, and departmental stores across the state on that day. The directive from the Uttarakhand Excise Commissioner, issued on Friday, aligns with the sacred event taking place in Ayodhya.
The decision to close liquor establishments on January 22 is part of the preparations for the grand ceremony, which has garnered significant attention and will witness the installation of the idol of Ram Lalla. Vedic rituals for the Pran-Pratishtha ceremony are scheduled to commence on January 16, a week ahead of the main event.
The Uttar Pradesh Excise Commissioner had previously issued similar instructions to the district administration in the state, emphasizing the closure of all liquor shops on January 22 in alignment with the significant religious ceremony. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the installation of the Ram Lalla idol at the grand temple on the same day.
The main rituals for the consecration ceremony will be conducted by priest Lakshmi Kant Dixit from Varanasi on January 22. Ayodhya is preparing for the Amrit Mahotsav from January 14 to January 22, with various events and activities planned for the devotees. The Sri Ram Janambhoomi Trust is making arrangements to accommodate 10,000-15,000 people, and several tent cities are being set up in Ayodhya to host the influx of devotees attending the grand “Pran Pratishtha” ceremony.