As the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya approaches, religious fervour spreads throughout the country, not just the holy city. The ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony began on January 17 and will conclude on the 22nd of this month with the temple’s historic inauguration. Acharya Satyendra Das Maharaj, Chief Priest of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra, has elaborated on the significance of the process, stating that the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony will mark the ritualistic transference of the deity’s soul and spirit into the idol.
On Thursday, the idol of Ram Lalla, which depicts a five-year-old child, was installed in the temple’s sanctum sanctorum. Sharad Sharma, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s media in-charge, shared images of the idol covered in a veil. Vedic Brahmins and revered Acharyas were seen leading worship ceremonies within the Sri Ram Temple’s sacred precincts.
The chief priest of the Ram Temple stated that the soul of Lord Ram would pass on to the idol during the ceremony, which would include the chanting of Vedic verses.
What is the Pran Pratishtha ceremony?
“The soul and spirit of Lord Ram, which are worshipped by one and all, will pass on to the idol through the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony. The ritual would involve the chanting of verses from the Vedas,” he said.
The seer explained the significance of the ‘Pran Pratishtha’, saying, “The energy of Lord Ram that we worship, which helps in our well-being and keeps us in good spirits and of sound body and mind at all times, will be transferred to the idol. So, worshipping this idol of Shri Ram Lalla will bring good health and tidings.”
Ram Mandir consecration: How long does ‘Pran Pratishtha’ take?
According to Acharya Satyendra Das Maharaj, the ceremony takes a week or more, sometimes even a month.
“The Pran Pratishtha ceremony began on January 17 and will conclude on the 22nd. “Sometimes it takes seven days, and other times it can take 11 or even 23 days,” he explained.
What is the process of ‘Pran Pratishtha in Ram Mandir Ayodhya?
According to the chief priest, the ceremony begins with the Kalash Yatra, followed by the idol’s ‘Nagar Bhraman’ (tour of town) and a bath in the Saryu river.
“After the Kalash Yatra, the Nagar Bhraman (town visit) of the idol took place and was followed by a bath in the Saryu river. These were part of the initial rituals surrounding the ceremony. All the rituals are being performed with water from the Saryu River. The rituals will be performed over six days,” the Acharya said.
Acharya Satyendra Das Maharaj described the rituals to be performed on the final day of the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony, saying that verses from the Vedas would be chanted.
Ram Mandir consecration program on January 22
“On January 22, the idol will undergo the rituals associated with jaladivas, dugdhadivas, pushpavivas, aushadivas, and annadivas before being bathed. Following this, the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ would be performed by chanting Vedic verses,” he explained.
The chief priest informed devotees that they could see the deity by applying kajal to the idol’s eyes.
“After the ‘Pran Pratishtha’, when the idol has imbibed all the powers of the deity, it will be put in its place at the Garbha Griha (sanctum sanctorum). After this, a mirror would be placed in front of the idol and kajal (kohl) would be applied (to its eyes). This is the final stage of the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ after which the idol could be visited and sighted by the devotees,” the seer added.
The Acharya explained, “The mirror will be kept in front of the idol so that the energy that goes into it from the deity Himself doesn’t come into contact with a weak or feeble along the way. The energy should be pure, unalloyed, or undiminished. So Lord Ram is made to show his face in the mirror. The kohl would be applied to ward off evil spirits.”.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will perform rituals to commemorate the ‘Pran Pratishtha’, while a team of priests led by Lakshmikant Dixit will carry out the main rituals.