Expressing his joy over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Ayodhya, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi head pujari Acharya Satyendra Das said on December 30 that the people of the State will be happy after seeing PM Modi in the Mandir town.
“Anyone who suffers from any problem and if the problem is solved, then the happiness that comes, cannot be described in words. Bhagwan Ram (idol) had to stay in a canopy for 28 years, but all the problems and difficulties that existed have been solved and he is now in the permanent mandir and the new idol, which is to be consecrated in the mandir on January 22, is also ready and that idol will also be installed,” he said.
#WATCH | Ayodhya, UP: Chief Priest Of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, Acharya Satyendra Das says, "It is good that PM Narendra Modi is coming here and he will inaugurate the railway station, airport today. He will also hold a road show. People will be happy after seeing PM… pic.twitter.com/pUVf0ZdbNM
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) December 30, 2023
The head pujari shared the journey until the construction of the Ram Mandir.
“When I was first made pujari on March 1, 1992, Ram Lalla was seated in that disputed structure, which was called Babri Masjid. He was installed there in the central dome with his. three brothers; All four brothers and other devi and devta’s were also present there and it looked really beautiful. All the devotees used to go and have darshan from nearby places,’ said Acharya Satyendra Das.
“After December 6, 1992, when the disputed structure was demolished, we had to face a lot of trouble in removing the idol and it was removed along with the throne and kept away… Karsevaks removed the stones and levelled the area. After placing pillars all around and putting up a curtain, the temporary mandir was formed, where Ram Lalla resided and the prayers also began from December 6,” he added.
He also mentioned that initially, problems were faced due to cold and rainy weather, after which a waterproof and fireproof pavilion was placed upon the orders of the court.
The head pujari also stated that multiple problems were faced over the years but the problems were eventually fought back.
“There were many problems but the reason to face these problems is that when the Sun rises, there is light. When it sets, there is darkness as well and we have seen darkness as well as light at that place,” he said.
Prime Minister Modi is slated to inaugurate an international airport in Ayodhya and the redeveloped Ayodhya railway station today. “It is good that PM Narendra Modi is coming here and he will inaugurate the railway station and airport today. He will also hold a road show. People will be happy after seeing PM Modi in Ayodhya,” Shri Ram Janmabhoomi, head pujari, told media on December 30.
He further said that the airport would help people from abroad and across the country come to Ayodhya easily.
Around 11.15 am, Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the redeveloped Ayodhya railway station and flag off new Amrit Bharat and Vande Bharat trains. He will also dedicate several other railway projects to the nation.
Around 12.15 pm, he will inaugurate the newly built Ayodhya airport. Around 1 pm, Prime Minister Modi will participate in a public programme during which he will inaugurate, delicate to the nation and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 15,000 crore in the state. These include projects worth about Rs 11,100 crore for the development of Ayodhya and its surrounding areas and projects worth about Rs 4600 crore related to other projects across Uttar Pradesh.
#WATCH | Visuals from the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport Ayodhya Dham, in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will today inaugurate the newly built Ayodhya Airport. pic.twitter.com/51H75dDZbK
— ANI (@ANI) December 30, 2023
On December 29, PM Modi, in a post on X, stated, “Our Government is determined to develop world-class infrastructure, improve connectivity and preserve the rich heritage of Ayodhya, the city of Bhgawan Ram. In this direction, I will inaugurate the newly constructed airport and redeveloped railway station tomorrow. Along with this, I will also get the privilege of inaugurating and laying the foundation stone of many more development projects, which will make the lives of my family members in many areas of the country, including Ayodhya and UP, easier.”
भगवान श्री राम की नगरी अयोध्या में विश्वस्तरीय इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर के विकास, कनेक्टिविटी में सुधार और यहां की समृद्ध विरासत के संरक्षण के लिए हमारी सरकार कृतसंकल्प है। इसी दिशा में कल नवनिर्मित एयरपोर्ट और पुनर्विकसित रेलवे स्टेशन का उद्घाटन करूंगा। इसके साथ ही कई और विकास परियोजनाओं…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 29, 2023
Prime Minister Modi has broadly outlined his vision to develop modern, world-class infrastructure in Ayodhya, improve connectivity and revamp its civic facilities while also conforming to the rich history and heritage of the city. In realisation of this vision, a new airport, a new redeveloped railway station, newly redeveloped, widened and beautified roads, and other civic infrastructure are being inaugurated in the city.
The foundation stones for a number of other new projects will be laid, contributing to the beautification and revamp of civic facilities in and around the Mandir town.
The city of Ayodhya is gearing up for the grand consecration ceremony. As per mandir officials, the consecration ceremony will be held over seven days, starting on January 16. On January 16, the host appointed by the mandir trust, Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra, will conduct the atonement ceremony. The ‘Dashvidh’ bath, Vishnu worship, and offering to cows will be held on the banks of the Saryu River.
Following that, on January 17, a procession carrying the idol of Ram Lalla, depicting Bhagwan Ram as a five-year-old, will reach Ayodhya. Devotees carrying Saryu river water in ‘Mangal Kalash’ will reach the Ram Janmabhoomi mandir.
On January 18, formal rituals will kick off with the Ganesh Ambika puja, Varun puja, Matrika puja, Brahmin Varan, and Vastu puja. On January 19, the holy fire will be lit, followed by the establishment of ‘Navagraha’ and a ‘havan’ (holy ritual surrounding the fire).
The sanctum sanctorum of the Ram Janmabhoomi mandir will be washed with Saryu water on January 20, after which the Vaastu Shanti and ‘Annadhivas’ rituals will take place.
On January 21, the idol of Ram Lalla will undergo a ceremonial bath with water from 125 urns. On the final day, January 22, after the morning puja, the deity of Ram Lala will be consecrated in ‘Mrigashira Nakshatra’ in the afternoon.
(with inputs from ANI)
