In a significant spiritual initiative, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced his participation in an 11-day ‘anushthan’ (ritual) leading up to the ‘Pran Pratishtha‘ ceremony at the grand Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, scheduled for January 22. The prime minister, in a video message on the social platform X, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to witness the auspicious occasion and represent the people of India during the historic ceremony.
PM Modi said on January 12 that he will commence a special 11-day ‘anushthan’ (ritual) from today till January 22, the day of the Pran Pratishtha of the new murti of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir.
“There are only 11 days left for the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya. I am fortunate that I too will witness this auspicious occasion. The Bhagwan has made me a medium to represent all Indians during the Pran Pratishtha. Keeping this in mind I am starting a special ritual of 11 days from today. I seek blessings from all of you,” PM Modi said in an audio message on social media platform X.
अयोध्या में रामलला की प्राण प्रतिष्ठा में केवल 11 दिन ही बचे हैं।
मेरा सौभाग्य है कि मैं भी इस पुण्य अवसर का साक्षी बनूंगा।
प्रभु ने मुझे प्राण प्रतिष्ठा के दौरान, सभी भारतवासियों का प्रतिनिधित्व करने का निमित्त बनाया है।
इसे ध्यान में रखते हुए मैं आज से 11 दिन का विशेष…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 12, 2024
The ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony, slated for January 22, holds immense importance in Hindu shastras, with specific rules and rituals outlined for the Pran Prathistha of a deity’s murti. Despite his demanding schedule and responsibilities, Prime Minister Modi has chosen to diligently adhere to these rituals, embarking on an 11-day anushthan to prepare for the momentous occasion.
PM Modi further said that he is fortunate to witness the ceremony.
“I am going through this feeling for the first time in my life. I am experiencing a different kind of devotion. For me, this emotive journey (bhavya yatra) is a moment of realisation, not expression. I am unable to express its depth, prevalence and intensity in words. You are able enough to understand my situation. The dream with which several generations lived, I have got the opportunity to attain this,” the PM added.
In the scriptures, the Pran Pratistha of a deity’s murti is a detailed and extensive process and for this, rules have been given which have to be followed several days before the Pran Pratistha.
Dev Pratishtha has been described as the ritual of infusing divine consciousness into an earthly murti. For this, rules for fasting before the ritual have been prescribed in the scriptures.
The PM said, “It is my good fortune that I am starting my 11-day ritual from Nashik Dham-Panchavati. Panchavati is the sacred land where Bhagwan Sri Ram spent a lot of time.”
“As it is also mentioned in our scriptures, we have to awaken divine consciousness in ourselves for the Yagya and worship of God. For this, fasts and strict rules have been prescribed in the scriptures, which have to be followed before Pran Pratistha. Therefore, according to the guidance I have received from some ascetic souls and great men of the spiritual journey and the Yama-Niyams suggested by them, I am starting a special ritual 11 days from today.
“On this holy occasion, I pray at the feet of God… I remember the virtues of the sages and ascetics and I pray to the people, who are the form of God, to bless me. So that there is no lack from my side in mind, words and deeds,” he said.
The Vedic rituals, scheduled to commence on January 16, a week before the main ceremony, will be led by Lakshmi Kant Dixit, a priest from Varanasi, who will conduct the primary ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony on January 22. In addition to the spiritual proceedings, a grand 1008 Hundi Mahayagya is set to take place, where thousands of devotees will be fed. Preparations are underway to accommodate the influx of visitors, with several tent cities being erected in Ayodhya.
The Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust has announced arrangements for 10,000-15,000 people, and invitations have been extended to several VVIP guests from India and abroad. The ceremony marks the culmination of a long-standing dream for millions of devotees who have awaited the construction of the Ram temple.
Local authorities are leaving no stone unturned to ensure a smooth and spiritually enriching experience for all attendees. Enhanced security measures and logistical arrangements are being implemented to manage the anticipated surge in visitors during the grand ceremony.
As the nation eagerly anticipates this historic event, the Pran Pratistha ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya is expected to be a moment of immense cultural and spiritual significance, bringing together people from various walks of life to witness the realisation of a cherished dream.
