Arun Yogiraj, the Ram Lalla murti sculptor, arrived at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya with his family to attend the celebrations of Ram Navami on April 17. Speaking to media, Arun expressed his happiness and said that he was anxiously waiting for the Ram Navami celebration.
“We are here for the first time after the ‘Pran Pratishtha’. My family was very happy after seeing my work. We reached here yesterday and had a darshan of Ram Lalla. We are fortunate that we have been invited to this special occasion. We are anxiously waiting for the Ram Navami celebration and wish for his blessing on all the countrymen,” he said.
#WATCH | Ayodhya: Ram Lalla idol sculptor Arun Yogiraj says, "We are here for the first time after the 'pran pratishtha' ceremony. My family was very happy after seeing my work… We are anxiously waiting for the Ram Navami celebration…" https://t.co/CqdUoHkJ1D pic.twitter.com/a87Nzf72qz
— ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2024
After the magnificent ceremony of Pran Pratishtha, the Ram Janmabhoomi for the second time is witnessing a grand celebration amid the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami. Ram Navami is being celebrated with great pomp at Ram Mandir with offerings of 56 types of bhog, prasad and panjiri.
Acharya Satyendra Das, Chief pandit of Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, said that all the arrangements for the celebration are being managed by the Trust and the occasion of Ram Navami is being celebrated with great enthusiasm.
“All the arrangements are being made by the trust. The trust is also managing the decorations. Ram Navami will be celebrated with great enthusiasm,” he said. The Chief Priest further informed that everything has been decorated and the murti of Bhagwan Ram has been specially dressed for the day, “He is dressed in yellow clothes, and after this he is bathed with Panchamrit. Four-five types of panjiris are made and along with that, 56 types of offerings are made to the Bhagwan.”
Acharya Satyendra Das also said that the day of Ram Navami is beautiful as one will witness the sun rays on Bhagwan Rama’s forehead. He also hailed the day as special as the Ram Mandir has been built. “Today is very beautiful for Ram Navami, as sun will be seen on the forehead of Bhagwan Rama… people are going for the darshan of Ramlala and all the arrangements are being done very divinely in the court of Ramlala. It is very special because the mandir has been built, Ramlala’s life has been consecrated in the mandir, it is very special.”
#WATCH | Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh: On Ram Navami celebrations at Ram temple, Acharya Satyendra Das, chief priest of Ram Janmabhoomi temple, says, "…Chappan Bhog offered to Ram Lalla. Complete arrangements have been made. Today is Ram Navami's fair. Devotees are offering prayers… pic.twitter.com/UuUEPvotYb
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) April 17, 2024
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to his official X handle and extended his greetings for the festival. The PM said, “Infinite best wishes to my family members across the country on the occasion of Bhagwan Shri Ram’s birth anniversary, Ram Navami! On this auspicious occasion, my heart is overwhelmed and fulfilled. It is the supreme grace of Shri Ram that this year, along with millions of my countrymen, I became a witness to the Pran-Pratishtha in Ayodhya. The memories of that moment of Avadhpuri still pulsate in my mind with the same energy.”
“This is the first Ram Navami when our Ram Lalla has been enthroned in the grand and divine Ram Mandir of Ayodhya. Today, Ayodhya is in unparalleled joy in this celebration of Ram Navami. After waiting for five centuries, today we have got the privilege of celebrating this Ram Navami in Ayodhya in this manner. This is the fruit of so many years of hard penance, sacrifice and sacrifice of the countrymen,” PM Modi tweeted.
The first Ram Navami after the Pran Pratishtha in Ayodhya is a generational milestone, weaving together centuries of devotion with a new era of hope and progress. This is a day crores of Indians waited for. Innumerable people devoted their lives to this sacred cause.
May the… pic.twitter.com/2aJMLn1hhI
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 17, 2024
In another tweet, the PM said, “I have full faith that the life of Maryada Purushottam Bhagwan Shri Ram and his ideals will become a strong basis for the creation of a developed India. His blessings will provide new energy to the resolve of a self-reliant India. Millions of salutations and salutations at the feet of Bhagwan Shri Ram!”
A large number of devotees thronged Ram Mandir on April 17, morning in a vibrant display of faith and celebration. Before visiting the mandir, devotees took a dip in the holy waters of the Saryu River. The darshan at the temple had started at 3:30 am.
The celebration will be broadcast on about 100 LED screens throughout the city. There will also be broadcast on the trust’s social media accounts.
(with inputs from ANI)
