“January 22 heralds dawn of new era,” PM Modi after ‘Pran Pratishtha’ of Ram Lalla at Ayodhya Temple

On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that January 22, the day when the idol of Ram Lalla was unveiled after the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony at Ayodhya’s Ram Temple, signifies the commencement of a new ‘kaal chakra’ (time cycle). He emphasized that people would remember this date for thousands of years. Addressing the gathering during the Pran Pratishtan ceremony at the Garbh Griha of the temple, the Prime Minister expressed that the construction of the Ram Mandir has infused people with new energy.

“Lord Ram has finally arrived (in his abode) following the wait of centuries. After the patience that we showed for centuries and the sacrifices we made, our Lord Ram has finally arrived,” stated the PM. He emphasized that January 22, 2024, isn’t merely a date but the inception of a new era, filling people with renewed vigor. PM Modi declared that the country has liberated itself from the shackles of slavery, and people will remember this date and moment even after thousands of years, attributing it to Lord Ram’s supreme blessings.

PM Modi acknowledged the delay in the construction of the temple and sought forgiveness from Lord Ram. “Today, I apologize to Lord Ram as there was something lacking in our love and penance due to which this work (construction of Ram Temple) was not done for so many years. However, that gap has been bridged today, and I am confident that Lord Ram will forgive us,” he expressed.

The Prime Minister also expressed gratitude to the Supreme Court of India for its verdict on November 9, 2019, which paved the way for the construction of the temple. He thanked the Supreme Court for delivering justice and ensuring that the temple was built in accordance with the law. During the Pran Pratishtha ceremony, PM Modi, adorned in a cream-colored kurta and dhoti with a silver ‘chattar’ (umbrella) on a red folded dupatta, walked inside the temple premises, took ‘sankalp’ for the ceremony, and performed rituals in the sanctum sanctorum.

RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were present inside the sanctum sanctorum during the rituals. The ceremony was accompanied by chants of ‘Jai Sri Ram.’ PM Modi concluded by stating that Lord Ram is intricately connected to every particle of the soul of India, residing in the hearts of its citizens.