Ahead of the last day of Chaitra Navratri and the occasion of Ram Navami, the city of Ayodhya was fully geared up for its magnificent celebrations at the brand-new Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, with the ceremony beamed across social media to facilitate the darshan (prayers) of Hindus around the world.
The chief priest of the temple inaugurated with much global fanfare in January, Acharya Satyendra Das, said that all the arrangements for the festival were well in hand by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust for the mega occasion of Ram Navami, which falls on April 17.
"The Trust is also managing the decorations. Ram Navami will be celebrated with great enthusiasm," he said, adding that with 56 types of bhog prasad (offerings) is being laid out for Ram Lalla.
The chief priest also hailed the celebrations as special as they are happening for the first time after the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony. On the occasion, Surya Abhishek of Lord Ram will mark the Shri Ram Navami Mahotsav, which will also include Mangala Aarti, Shringar and Darshan.
Ram Mandir Nirman Samiti chairman Nripendra Mishra said: "On Ram Navami, the sun rays will fall on Lord Ramlalla's forehead for about five minutes at 12:16 pm, for which important technical arrangements are being made. Scientists are working to display these moments with full grandeur."
Ram Navami, the birth festival of Lord Ram Lalla, will be celebrated at noon India time when various rituals will take place. The several types of bhog prasad offered by the devotees this week will be laid before the Lord at the designated time.
Ahead of the celebrations, the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, constituted to look after the management of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir, announced special arrangements for the convenience of the devotees visiting during the grand festival. The Trust has also extended the duration of Darshan (worship) to 19 hours, starting from the Mangala Aarti and continuing until 11pm India time. The curtain will be closed only for five minutes during the bhog offerings.
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The celebration will be broadcast on about a hundred large LED screens throughout Ayodhya, besides the live broadcasts for devotees the world over.
“After 500 years, Ram Lalla is going to celebrate his birthday in a grand temple instead of a tent. It is a matter of great fortune that we have witnessed the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla in our lifetime,” said Indian Home Minister Amit Shah.
(ANI)
*Info: Shri Ram Mandir
