The installation of the new statue of Ram Lalla in the revered Ram Temple in Ayodhya has entered a significant phase with the initiation of Praan Pratishthaa rituals starting on Tuesday. The sacred ceremonies will continue over the next seven days, culminating on January 22.

The commencement of the Karmakuti puja took place at the construction site of Lord Ram Lalla’s idol at 1 pm on Tuesday. Prior to this, a thorough cleanliness drive was carried out in the Ram Janmabhoomi complex, and the temple itself was cleansed with water from the holy Saryu River.

While earlier reports hinted at Prime Minister Narendra Modi being the main Yajmaan during the Praan Pratistha, individuals involved with the ceremony clarified that PM Modi will play a symbolic role rather than being the main host. Pandit Ganeshwar Shastri Dravid, who determined the auspicious time for Praan Pratisthaa, Pandit Laxmikant Dixit, the officiant of the Praan Pratishthaa in the Ram temple, and Swami Ramvinay Das, the general secretary of Shrimath Trust of Ramanand sect, shared insights into the hosting arrangements.

All three affirmed that Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust member Anil Mishra and his wife will be the chief hosts (Yajman) for the seven-day ritual, overseeing resolutions, atonement, and worship of Lord Ganesha. They will also participate in the consecration of Ram Lalla’s life. According to them, the decision stems from the belief that only a householder can be the primary host for the Ram Lalla Praan Pratishthaa ritual, hence the selection of Anil Mishra and his wife.

Ganeshwar Shastri Dravid clarified that only a householder, accompanied by his wife, can participate in the Praan Pratishthaa and puja for the entire duration of seven days. Therefore, PM Modi will witness the main ritual in the sanctum sanctorum but will not be the main host. This decision follows the pattern set during the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the Ram Mandir in 2020, where Ravindra Narayan Singh and his wife were the hosts. Pandit Venkatraman Ghanpathy, trustee of Srikashi Vishwanath Temple and a scholar involved in the Ram Mandir Praan Pratistha, added that Prime Minister Modi’s role will primarily involve his presence in the sanctum sanctorum on January 22, participating in specific rituals.

The remaining puja will be conducted by trustee Anil Mishra and his wife. “Despite PM Modi’s role being symbolic, the strict observance of Yama Niyama will be followed for a full 11 days, including eating fruits once a day,” he said. Meanwhile, Ram temple chief priest Acharya Satyendra Das said that the “anushthan” has started and will continue until January 22, the day of the consecration ceremony. Eleven priests are performing the rituals, invoking all the “devis and devtas”.

There are 121 “acharyas” who are conducting the rituals, and Ganeshwar Shastri Dravid is overseeing, coordinating, and directing all proceedings of the “anushthan”. The principal “acharya” will be Laxmikant Dixit of Kashi. The Ram temple “Praan Pratishthaa” will begin at 12:20 pm on January 22.