With the ‘pran prathishtha’ ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya scheduled for January 22, several states in India have announced a public holiday to mark the auspicious occasion. The grand ceremony, presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is set to witness the consecration of the Ram Temple, with elaborate rituals and significant dignitaries in attendance.
The primary rituals for the Pran Pratistha of Shri Ram Lalla on January 22 will be conducted by a team of priests led by Lakshmikant Dixit. As part of the celebration, special gifts, including ‘Ram Raj,’ will be presented to attendees. Notably, the sacred Ram Raj soil from the temple will be given as a memento, symbolizing divine grace and spirituality. This meaningful gift can be utilized in home gardens or flower pots, even by those unable to attend the ceremony.
Here are the states that have officially declared January 22 a public holiday:
1. Uttar Pradesh: Educational institutions in Uttar Pradesh will remain closed on January 22, as directed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Additionally, liquor shops will be closed throughout the state on that day.
2. Madhya Pradesh: Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has declared January 22 as a school holiday in Madhya Pradesh, encouraging people to celebrate the day like a festival. A dry day has been announced, with all types of shops, including liquor and Bhang outlets, to remain closed.
3. Goa: The Goa government has declared a holiday for government employees and schools on January 22. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stated that the public holiday is in light of the ‘pran pratishtha’ ceremony at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya.
4. Chhattisgarh: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai announced January 22 as a holiday for all state government schools and colleges in Chhattisgarh to celebrate the consecration ceremony of the new idol at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
5. Haryana: The Haryana government has declared the closure of schools on January 22 in view of the Ram Temple Inauguration. Additionally, the consumption of liquor will not be permitted anywhere in the state on the day of the consecration ceremony.
As the nation prepares for this historic event, these holidays reflect the significance and reverence attached to the ‘pran prathishtha’ ceremony of the Ram Temple, considered a momentous occasion in India’s cultural and religious landscape.
Sources By Agencies