In Ayodhya, the initiation of rituals for the consecration of the new Ram temple has commenced, with six days remaining for the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ (consecration ceremony).
Anil Mishra, a member of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, along with his wife Usha, has been appointed as the ‘pradhan yajman’ (main host) for the ceremonies, concluding on January 22, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and others.
Arun Dixit, a priest involved in the rituals, confirmed that Mishra had been nominated as the ‘pradhan yajman’ and would be present throughout the ceremonies.
Mishra began the rituals by taking a dip in the Saryu river, followed by the consumption of ‘panchgavya’ (cow milk, curd, ghee, gobar, and gau mutra), and observing a fast. He performed the ‘Prashchita,’ ‘Sankalpa,’ and ‘Karmakuti’ puja, lasting about eight hours, at the location where the Ram Lalla idol, chosen for the temple’s sanctum sanctorum, was sculpted by Arun Yogiraj.
Experts explain that ‘Prashchita’ and ‘Sankalpa’ puja are penance offerings, while ‘Karmakuti’ puja seeks forgiveness for any shortcomings during the idol sculpting process.
The ‘havan’ was conducted by Mishra and his wife, with sculptor Yogiraj also present. The idol received ghee and honey, and its eyes were covered with cloth for subsequent rituals until the completion of the consecration ceremony on January 22.
Mishra, speaking to reporters after the rituals, stated that the ‘anushthan’ (ritual) had begun and would continue until January 22, with eleven priests performing ceremonies invoking various deities. Wednesday’s rituals include ‘teerth pujan,’ ‘jal yatra,’ and ‘gandhadhivas.’
