On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly declared his intention to participate in the inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, which is scheduled for January 22, 2024.
A delegation from the Shri Ram Janma Bhoomi Tirtha Kshetra, accompanied by religious leaders, personally invited the Prime Minister. It\’s noteworthy to mention that Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone for the Ram temple on August 5, 2020.
Expressing his delight upon receiving the invitation, the Prime Minister took to social media and shared, \”I feel deeply fortunate. It is a moment of great privilege that, in my lifetime, I will witness this historic occasion.\”
Champat Rai, the general secretary of the Ram Temple Trust, has affirmed that the installation of the idol of Lord Ram at the temple is scheduled for January 22, and Prime Minister Modi has accepted their invitation.
The trust has extensive plans for the consecration ceremony, with intentions to extend invitations to over 4,000 Hindu religious leaders representing 136 Sanatana traditions. Furthermore, it is expected that 25,000 dignitaries will be present at this momentous event.
The Ram temple complex, occupying 71 acres of land, will feature the central sanctum sanctorum (garbh greh) and five pavilions, which include gun mandap, rang mandap, nritya mandap, kirtan mandap, and prarthna mandap. The temple will reach a towering height of 161 feet and will comprise three floors, each measuring 19.5 feet.
This complex will also encompass other temples dedicated to deities such as Shiva, goddess Annapurna, Bhagwati, Ganesha, Hanuman, and Surya (sun), along with temples dedicated to legendary saints. Various facilities, including a yagya/anusthan mandap, accommodations for religious leaders, and an administrative building, are part of the extensive plan.
Of particular note, the complex is designed with the goal of achieving zero discharge. It will feature two sewage treatment plants to lessen the environmental impact on the Municipal Corporation by reusing treated water for flushing and irrigation purposes. Additionally, the temple construction committee has secured 71 acres of land for the development of public amenities near the temple.
To prevent excessive crowds in Ayodhya, the temple trust has issued a request for the public to refrain from visiting the temple during the initial days of the inauguration. VIPs have also been asked to avoid visiting Ayodhya on the day of the inauguration to prevent logistical challenges.
In a Dasara speech on Tuesday, Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat encouraged the people of India to organize celebrations at temples near their residences as a way of commemorating the inauguration of the Ram temple.