The inauguration of the Ram Mandir on 22 January was a momentous and unprecedented event in India, evoking emotions and celebrations comparable to Diwali across the nation. People from all walks of life, brimming with joy and happiness, came together to mark this historic day. The event was not confined to the temple premises in Ayodhya but extended to homes and temples across the country, where large screens were set up for live viewing, allowing everyone to witness the first sight of the deity, Shri Ram, from their own locations.
A pivotal ritual performed during the inauguration was the ‘Pran Pratishtha,’ a sacred ceremony where life is believed to be infused into the deity’s idol. This ritual holds immense significance in Hinduism, marking the moment when the idol is not just a stone sculpture but is revered as a living embodiment of the deity. In this case, it was the idol of Shri Ram, a central figure in Hindu mythology and the epic Ramayana. The sheer scale and fervor of the celebrations made this event more than just a temple inauguration; it was a cultural and spiritual festival that brought together diverse groups of people.
Similar enthusiasm was witnessed in our Sector-50 at the Sanatan Dharm Mandir in the Community Centre complex. The rare occasion saw an exceptional feature where the entire sector – the plotted houses and the multistoreyed complexes – were invited in advance to participate. The temple entrance was decorated in the auspicious colour of yellow with marigold flowers. Residents with bhakti fervor started coming to the temple since morning. A big screen was put up to see the Pran Pratishtha ceremony live from Ayodhya, which made the entire atmosphere filled with religious zeal.
Later, residents took the bhandara Prasad with respect. This also saw a huge participation.
The Ram Mandir inauguration symbolized not just the construction of a temple, but the culmination of years of hope and faith making it a truly unparalleled experience in the annals of Indian history.
