Ram Mandir Bhoomi Pujan: Religious rituals get under way, muhurat to last only for 32 seconds

Religious rituals began in Ayodhya on Monday, two days prior of the main ceremony for a Ram temple. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will place the initial building block for the temple in the 5th August celebration.

Twenty one priests on Monday performed prayers committed to Lord Ganesh. This was to be accompanied by prayers to the divinity of the dinasties of Lord Ram and goddess Sita. On Tuesday, prayers will be extended at Ayodhya;s Hanumangarhi temple.

The priest and religious leaders presiding over the entire event stated that the auspicious moment (muhurat) will last only for 32 seconds on Wednesday (from 12:44:08 on to 12:44:40 pm).

One hundred seventy five people have been invited for the ceremony, out of which 135 are saints of that many traditions.

On the podium, there will only be five people, PM Narendra Modi, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, trust chief Nritya Gopaldas Maharaj, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and CM Yogi Adityanath.

The Uttar Pradesh chief minister termed the event historic. He spent much time taking stock of the arrangements for the ceremony at the Ram Janmabhoomi, where the temple will be built following the consent of the top court in 2019.

“It is not only a historic but also an emotional moment as after 500 years the Ram temple work will start. It will be the foundation of a new India,” he said.

Yogi Adityanath also urged people to light earthen lamps, adorn temples and chant the Ramayana in memory of those “who laid down their lives in the temple struggle”.

jamborees have begun in Ayodhya ahead of the main event. A bridge over Saryu river has been lit up and priests performed ‘aarti’ at the ghat of Saryu river.

Temples on all parts of the city have been adorned with lights and diyas ahead of the groundbreaking ceremony.

In November 2019, the Supreme Court opened the way for the construction of a Ram temple at the site and directed the Centre to allocate an alternative five-acre plot for building a new mosque in Ayodhya.

Also Read: Why PM Modi will visit Hanumangarhi temple in Ayodhya ahead of 'bhoomi pujan'