Ayodhya:The much-awaited Ram temple consecration will be held here on Monday in a grand ceremony with Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending the rituals, following which the shrine will be opened for the public a day later.
The 'Pran Pratishtha' (giving life) ceremony will begin at 12.15 pm and is expected to end by 1 pm. The prime minister will then address a gathering of more than 7,000 people, including seers and prominent personalities, at the venue. Lakhs of people are expected to watch the event live on TV and online platforms as several states have declared a holiday while the central government has announced a half-day off.
'Pran Pratishtha' is used in a religious context by Hindu devotees while installing an idol at a place of worship. The 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony is meant to transform an idol into a deity through a series of rituals established in Vedas and Puranas. In the case of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, the rites began on January 16 and will conclude on Monday, January 22.
Here is the schedule of this historic event-
On the morning of January 22, offerings will be made in the Havan Kund as part of the rituals going on in the Ram Janmabhoomi complex.
Those invited to the Pran Pratishtha will start arriving from around 9 am. Keeping in view the security reasons, seating arrangements have been made for the guests in different rows.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reach Ayodhya Airport at 10.25 am on Monday.
He will reach Ram Mandir at 10.55 am.
The Pran Pratishtha ceremony is scheduled to take place between 12:15 and 12:45 pm.