In a significant spiritual convergence, the sacred city of Ayodhya is set to strengthen its ties with Kashi, the abode of Lord Shiva, as the upcoming consecration ceremony of the idol of Ram Lalla in the new Ram temple on January 22 will see the active participation of 21 Vedic Brahmins from Varanasi, enhancing the spiritual bond between the two cities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who represents Varanasi in the Lok Sabha, is slated to perform the consecration ceremony on January 22, under the auspicious Mrigashira nakshatra. The responsibility for the sacred installation of Ram Lalla in his new temple has been entrusted to the 21 Vedic Brahmins of Kashi, Pt Deepak Malviya, a member of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust said.
The week-long celebration is scheduled to commence on January 18. The consecration rituals will begin with the Pran Pratishtha ceremony, incorporating Ganesh puja, Ambika puja, Varun puja, Matrika puja, Brahmin puja and Vastu puja. Led by Vedic pandit Laxmikant Dixit of Kashi, a group of Vedic Brahmins will embark on their journey to Ayodhya on January 17.
On the same day, the idol of Ram Lalla will embark on a city tour in Ayodhya, engaging the devotees in the auspicious atmosphere. The consecration rituals will include the symbolic use of water from the holy river Saryu, with 81 urns to wash the sanctum sanctorum. Subsequently, Vastu shanti and Annadhivas rituals will be performed.
According to Pandit Deepak Malviya, the consecration ceremony will feature several important rituals, including Annadhivas, Jaladhivas and Ghritadhivas for Ram Lalla. On January 21, a divine bath with 125 urns will precede the installation of the idol. The following day, after the daily morning puja, a grand mahapuja of Pran Pratishtha will take place in the afternoon, followed by the Shodashopachara puja and the first maha aarti, in which Ram Lalla will be presented before to the devotees.
The Ram Mandir Trust has initiated the invitation process for the grand ceremony, extending invites to saints of Kashi, including those from the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust and Kashi Vidvat Parishad. The departure from Kashi to Ayodhya is scheduled to commence from January 15, with devotees eagerly anticipating the Pran Pratishtha ceremony.
Pt Laxmikant Dixit will lead the group of 21 Vedic Brahmins from Kashi, who will be present during the entire consecration ceremony. This symbolic convergence of knowledge and spirituality from both cities is expected to create a lasting bond and a momentous occasion for devotees of Lord Ram.
