Rituals for second 'pran pratishtha' ceremonies begin in Ayodhya

Lucknow: The rituals for the second ‘pran pratishtha’ (consecration) ceremonies at eight temples within the Ram Temple complex began on Tuesday morning with ‘Ganesh pujan’ (worshipping Lord Ganesha).

A ‘Kalash yatra’ (devotees walking carrying pitchers filled with sacred Saryu water) was undertaken on Monday during which began from the eastern bank of the Saryu river and ended at the ‘Yagyashala’ (a place where Yajna is performed after traversing through important places in the temple town.

The sacred water will be used in the three day long rituals which culminate on Thursday with ‘puja’, ’bhog’ and ‘Aarti’.

According to the officials of Shree Ramjanmabhumi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which oversees the construction of the Ram Temple, consecration ceremonies would take place at eight temples within the Ram Temple complex.

The Ram Temple has been decorated with colourful lighting on this occasion.

The Trust office bearers said that during the first consecration ceremony on January 22 last year Lord Rama was consecrated in his child form. ‘’Now Lord Rama will be consecrated as a King in the second consecration,’’ they said.

Lord Rama’s court would be on the first floor of the Ram Temple and the idols of his brother Laxman, Bharat Shatrughna and Lord Hanuman would also be there.

According to the sources, Ayodhya has been put on high alert and commandoes of Ant Terroist Sqaud have been deployed.

The consecration of the deities would take place on Thursday and the rituals would come to an end in the afternoon. The entry to the first floor of the Ram Temple would be restricted during these days.

As many as 108 Vedic scholars from across the country were conducting the rituals led by Pandit Jaiprakash from Varanasi.

‘’It is going to be a historic event,’’ the officials said, adding that lakhs of devotees from across the country were expected to be present in Ayodhya on this occasion.

The consecration ceremony of Ram Lala at the Ram Temple had taken place on January 22 last year in the presence of prime minister Narendra Modi.