Ram temple in Ayodhya opens doors for public

The doors of the Ram temple in Ayodhya open to the public for the first time after consecration.

The doors of the Ram temple in Ayodhya opened to the general public for the first time on January 23, a day after the consecration of the new Ram Lalla idol.

A large number of devotees, both locals and visitors from other States, gathered near the main gateway along the Ram Path leading to the temple complex late on Jan. 22 night, seeking an early entry to the premises the following morning. Police told the devotees that they would only be allowed to enter the temple the following morning when it opens for the public.

An idol of the new Ram Lalla was consecrated at the Ayodhya temple on Jan. 22, a landmark event led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who also gave a clarion call to go beyond the grand mandir's construction to build the foundation of a "strong, capable and divine" India of the next 1,000 years.

Lakhs of people watched the 'pran pratishtha (consecration)' ceremony on television in their homes and neighbourhood temples, savouring the historic moment.

Artistes performed folk dances, a 'palki yatra' was conducted by a religious troupe from Bhopal and scores of devotees from Ayodhya and other cities chanted "Jai Shri Ram" in the streets of Ayodhya as the ceremony unfolded.

"January 22, 2024, is not merely a date in the calendar but heralds the advent of a new era," Mr. Modi said after he performed a series of rituals in the garbha griha (sanctum sanctorum) with the consecration taking place during an 84-second Abhijeet muhurta starting at 12.29 pm. He also prostrated himself before the 51-inch idol that depicts the child Ram.

"Today, our Ram has arrived. After a long wait for ages, our Ram has arrived. Our Ram Lalla will no longer live in a tent. Our Ram Lalla will stay in a magnificent temple," Mr. Modi said in his address to the invitees, which included seers, leading figures from different fields and those part of the decades-long Ram Janmabhoomi movement for building the temple.