The sacred town of Ayodhya is once again immersed in profound spiritual fervour as a series of elaborate religious ceremonies commenced at the Ram Mandir complex on Saturday. These rituals mark the beginning of the celebrations for the second annual anniversary of the temple's historic consecration, known as Pratishtha Dwadashi, which falls on December 31.
Grand Commencement of Sacred Observances
The anniversary festivities are being held under the distinguished patronage of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who serves as the chief patron. The religious proceedings are being meticulously conducted under the leadership of Vishwaprasanna Teerth, a key member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Adding scholarly weight to the ceremonies, 15 Vedic scholars from the Bengaluru Vidyapeeth are in attendance to ensure the rituals adhere to ancient scriptures.
The inaugural day, Saturday, witnessed a sequence of powerful Vedic rituals designed to invoke divine blessings and purify the atmosphere. The ceremonies included a sacred havan (fire offering) and the establishment of a kavach (spiritual armour). A highlight was the vibrant palanquin festival (palki utsav) for the deity within the temple complex, which filled the premises with devotional energy. This was followed by the mandal puja, a special worship spanning a designated period.
Detailed Schedule of Rituals and Offerings
Trust member Vishwaprasanna Teerth provided a detailed account of the sacred schedule. The rituals performed on the first day also encompassed tatva havan, worship of the tatva kalash (a pot representing essential elements), Ganpati puja, and an additional havan.
The pinnacle of the celebration will be on Tuesday, December 31. On this day, the idol of Ram Lalla will be anointed with panch ras (five nectars) in a deeply symbolic act. As a grand offering of devotion, a sumptuous bhog consisting of 56 different dishes will be presented to the deity. The air will resonate with devotional bhajans (hymns), and the complex will echo with the energetic beats of a dhol festival.
Teerth also revealed that discussions are actively underway for a future enhancement: the installation of a magnificent gem-studded idol of Ram Lalla within the temple sanctum.
Continuity of Tradition and Historical Significance
Emphasizing the adherence to tradition, Vishwaprasanna Teerth stated, "The same religious rituals that were performed during last year's anniversary celebrations will be conducted this time too." This ensures continuity and preserves the sanctity of the observances established during the temple's rebirth.
The original Pran Pratishtha (consecration ceremony) of Ram Lalla was a landmark event held on January 22, 2024, which corresponded to Shukla Paksha Dwitiya in the Hindu lunar calendar. According to this calendar, the first anniversary was observed on January 11, 2025. The second anniversary now arrives on December 31, 2024, drawing millions of devotees spiritually closer to Ayodhya and marking another milestone in the temple's storied journey.
