AYODHYA: On the auspicious occasion of Ganga Dussehra, the sacred precincts of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya resonated with divine chants as the ‘Pran Pratistha’ ceremony for the Ram Darbar successfully concluded on the mandir’s first floor. This significant event marks a new milestone in the ongoing spiritual renaissance of Ayodhya, following the initial pran pratistha of the infant Ram Lalla murti on the ground floor on January 22, 2024
Shri Champat Rai, General Secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and International Vice President of Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), while speaking exclusively to the Organiser, shared key insights into the spiritual, cultural, and national significance of the Pran Pratistha of the Ram Darbar in Ayodhya and its far-reaching impact on Ayodhya and the nation.
He described the Ram Mandir as not merely a religious structure but a civilizational statement — a restoration of India’s lost pride. He referred to it as an act of national expiation for the humiliation inflicted in 1528 AD, when the original temple was destroyed. “It’s reconstruction,” he stated, “symbolises India’s regained self-respect and cultural sovereignty. It stands as a testament to the perseverance of devotees, the power of collective faith, and an enduring source of inspiration for today’s youth—to remain rooted in their cultural identity while actively contributing to national progress.”
The elaborate three-day Pran Pratistha of the Ram Darabar at Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir was held from June 3 to June 5 in the divine presence of sants, seers, and devotees. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and revered sants led the Netronmeelan (symbolic eye-opening) ceremony of the murtis. The CM offered the first ceremonial aarti to Bhagvan Shri Ram at the Ram Darbar. Recalling the painful past, he remarked, “There was a time when Ram devotees were regrettably fired upon in Ayodhya. Today, these same devotees are welcomed with showers of flowers and provided clean RO drinking water, symbolizing a complete transformation.”
Pran Pratistha and Divine Installations
Shri Champat Rai elaborated about the sacred Pran Pratistha, describing it as the ritual process of breathing life into otherwise inert murtis through powerful mantras and Vedic traditions. He emphasised the symbolism of the deity being considered a ‘minor’ under religious jurisprudence, who requires continual care, protection, and service by the temple trust—akin to nurturing a child.
He shared that while the traditional process spans five days, this Ram Darbar Pran Pratistha was condensed into three intense days, with 12 hours of continuous worship daily. The sacred Vaas Prakriya was performed, invoking divine energy into elements such as water, fruits, grains, and bedding, leading to today’s final aarti and distribution of ‘prasad’ among devotees.
Shri Rai further detailed the seven other temples within the parikrama path of the complex where deities were consecrated:
- Shivling in the Ishan Kon (northeast),
- Ganesh ji in the Agni Kon (southeast),
- A dedicated Hanuman ji temple in the southern arm
- Surya Dev in the Nairitya Kon (southwest)
- Devi Bhagwati in the Vayavya Kon (northwest)
- Mata Annapurna in the northern arm, and
- A special temple for Lakshman Ji revered as Sheshnag
He also highlighted the systematic planning of the event with invitation-based access—including two yajnas per temple, Vedic scholars, local citizens, L&T engineers, artisans, and vendors—ensuring the rituals remained spiritually immersive and logistically smooth. The event was telecast live on Doordarshan, allowing millions across India and abroad to witness the sanctity of the Pran Pratistha.
Transforming Ayodhya and Reviving National Pride
Shri Champat Rai emphasised that the Trust remains committed to the smooth operation of the Mandir, prioritising devotee convenience through infrastructure like shaded areas, clean drinking water, and disciplined crowd management. He noted how Ayodhya’s local economy has been transformed—daily visitors have increased from a mere 2,000–4,000 pre-2019 to over 4 lakhs daily post the initial Ram Lalla pran pratistha that was held on January 22, 2024. This has led to thousands of locals, including daily wage labourers, earning Rs 1000–Rs 1200 per day, reflecting the inclusive economic upliftment powered by the Mandir’s construction.
Notably, he described the Ram Mandir as ‘not just a religious edifice, but a redemption of India’s pride and a resounding answer to the lost legacy, an act of national expiation for the humiliation inflicted in 1528 AD when the original temple was destroyed. Its reconstruction symbolises India’s regained self-respect and inspires youth, demonstrating the power of collective faith, perseverance, and cultural pride.
