Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh): Despite the coronavirus scare in the country, the first phase of Ram Mandir's construction has commenced in Ayodhya after the rituals of Bhoomi Pujan were completed on Monday. The idol of the deity will be shifted to a new structure at Manas Bhawan after the ritual of Pran Pratishtha will be completed in the temporary sanctum sanctorum.
Taking a decision on the same, Ram Teerth Kshetra Trust members had decided earlier that only few religious leaders will perform the rituals following which the idol of the deity will be shifted to a bullet proof temporary temple on March 25.
Rituals of Bhoomi Poojan were performed in the presence of Vishwa Hindu Parishad's Union Joint General Secretary Koteshwar Sharma, Union Minister Ashok Tiwari, Ram Janmabhoomi Tirtha Kshetra Trustee Raja Bimalinder Mohan Mishra and chief judge of Bhoomi Pujan Dr. Anil Mishra.
Performed under the leadership of priest Kirti Kant of Delhi, the ceremony was attended by fifteen Vedic priests from Delhi, Prayagraj, Varanasi and Ayodhya which involved purification (‘shuddhikaran') of the entire route from the Ram Janam bhoomi to the Manas Bhawan. The religious function was also attended by Ayodhya MLA Ved Prakash Gupta and District Magistrate Anuj Jha.
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Chief priest Acharya Satyendra Das said that the path through which Lord Rama's idol will be brought to the temporary sanctum sanctorum will also be purified.Devotees have been kept away from the 'puja' due to the corona scare and no special event will be held during Ramnavami.
The development came after Trust's General Secretary Champat Rai had a meeting with district officials.
UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was scheduled to participate in the rituals but sources said that his programme may be cancelled due to the prevailing corona crisis situation.
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