With just one day remaining for the much-anticipated ‘pran pratishtha’ (consecration) ceremony of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, last-minute preparations and final touches are in full swing in the temple town. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the temple, housing the idol of Ram Lalla, on Monday (January 22).
The consecration ceremony for the Ram Lalla idol is scheduled for 12:20 pm, and it is expected to draw around 8,000 invitees, including 1,500-1,600 “eminent” guests.
Crafted by Mysuru-based artist Arun Yogiraj, the new 51-inch idol was placed in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple on Thursday. A series of rituals leading up to the main ceremony were conducted between January 16-21.
From strings of marigold and other flowers, special lightings to ramped up security arrangements — Here’s a look at the preparations in Ayodhya, in pictures:
