Ayodhya City Tour Of New Ram Lalla Idol Called Off Over Crowd Management Concerns

The Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has called off a procession allowing people to catch a glimpse of the new Ram Lalla idol across Ayodhya city that was supposed to take place on January 17. 

The procession has been cancelled over crowd management concerns raised by the security agencies, the trust said.

The trust will arrange a tour of the new idol inside the premises of the Ram Janmabhoomi on January 17. The decision was taken by the officials of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust after a meeting with the Acharyas of Kashi and senior administrative officials.

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Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra is the trust entrusted with the construction and management of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya. 

According to the Ayodhya district administration, it was discussed in the meeting that it would be difficult to control the crowd as devotees and pilgrims will rush to have 'darshan' of the new idol of Ram Lalla when it is taken out in the city, a PTI report mentioned.

Ram Lalla Idol

The idol of 'Ram Lalla' carved by Karnataka's renowned sculptor Arun Yogiraj is said to be the one that will be installed in the Ayodhya Ram temple.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said last week that a renowned idol-maker from the 'land of Hanuman' will see his piece of creation find pride of place at the Ram Temple on January 22.

With Karnataka home to a grand Hanuman temple and believed to be the birthplace of the deity, Joshi termed the selection of the idol shaped by a sculptor from the state for the Ram Temple as an "example of Rama-Hanuman's inextricable relationship".

"Where Rama is, there is Hanuman, The selection of the idol for the Prana Pratishtapana of Lord Rama in Ayodhya has been finalised. A renowned sculptor of our country, our proud Mr @yogiraj_arun, the idol of Lord Rama carved by him will be installed in Ayodhya," the Union Minister posted from his official handle on X last week.

"This is another example of Rama-Hanuman's inextricable relationship. There is no mistaking that this is an important service to Ramlallani from Karnataka, the land of Hanuman," Joshi added in his post.

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Meanwhile, idols of elephants, lions, Lord Hanuman and Garuda, said to be 'Vahana' of Lord Vishnu in Hindu mythology, have been installed at the entrance gate of the Ram Temple.

Ram Mandir Inauguration to be Held Over 7 Days

The consecration ceremony or 'prana pratishtha' of the Ram temple in Ayodhya is taking place on January 22. As per temple officials, the consecration ceremony will be held over seven days starting on January 16, the day when the host appointed by the temple trust will conduct the atonement ceremony. The 'Dashvidh' bath, Vishnu worship, and offering to cows will be held on the banks of the Saryu River.

• On January 17, a procession carrying the idol of Lord Ram in his child-like form (Ram Lalla) will reach Ayodhya. Devotees carrying Saryu water in Mangal Kalash will be reaching the Ram Janmabhoomi temple, ANI reported.
• On January 18, formal rituals will commence with the Ganesh Ambika puja, Varun puja, Matrika puja, Brahmin Varan, and Vastu Puja.
• On January 19, the holy fire is scheduled to be lit, followed by the establishment of 'Navagraha' and a 'havan' (holy ritual surrounding the fire).
• On January 20, the sanctum sanctorum of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple will be washed with Saryu water, after which the Vaastu Shanti and 'Annadhivas' rituals will take place.
• On January 21, the Ram Lalla idol will be bathed in 125 urns and finally be laid to rest.
• On January 22, the final day, after the morning puja, the deity of Ram Lala will be consecrated in 'Mrigashira Nakshatra' in the afternoon.