Ayodhya: A new spiritual milestone was achieved in Ayodhya on Thursday with the grand Pran Pratishtha (consecration) ceremony of the Ram Darbar at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple complex. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath participated in the sacred rituals as the chief guest, underscoring the occasion’s spiritual and cultural significance.
The Ram Darbar, installed on the first floor above the sanctum of Ram Lalla, features intricately carved idols of Lord Ram, Sita, Lakshman, Bharat, Shatrughan, and Hanuman. This event follows 498 days after the historic consecration of Ram Lalla on January 22, 2024.
The rituals were performed between 11:25 and 11:40 AM, coinciding with Ganga Dussehra and the rare Siddha Yoga, believed to amplify spiritual energy. “This is a divine alignment. The consecration in Ayodhya and Rameshwaram on the same day symbolically connects India’s spiritual geography,” said Mahant Amrita Das, a senior seer.
Vedic ceremonies began at dawn with chants, conch sounds, and the fragrance of havan fires filling the air. CM Adityanath arrived at 10:30 AM and offered prayers at Hanumangarhi before heading to the temple. He performed the abhishek (ritual bathing) of the idols and took part in the unveiling of the Ram Darbar.
The idols were adorned with ornaments donated by Suratbased businessman Mukesh Patel, including a 1,000-carat diamond, 30 kg of silver, 300 grams of gold, and 300 carats of rubies. These were flown in by chartered plane and handed over to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. “These offerings are symbols of national devotion,” said trust member Dr Anil Mishra.
Carved from rare, 40-yearold marble, the idols underwent rigorous scientific testing by IIT Hyderabad. Sculptor Satyanarayan Pandey said the marble’s strength and longevity make the figures capable of lasting a thousand years.
“The more it's washed, the more radiant it becomes,” he noted. The main idol of Lord Ram with his throne stands seven feet tall, while Hanuman and Bharat are seated at 2.5 feet, and Lakshman and Shatrughna stand three feet high. Saint Mithilesh Nandani Sharan said the Ram Darbar consecration is part of a broader sanctification of shrines within the temple complex, including those of Rishis, Mata Shabari, and Swami Tulsidas. “This is not just architecture. It awakens the spirit of the Ramayana and national consciousness,” he said.
The temple complex has been declared a Red Zone with ATS deployment and three-tier security. Full construction is expected to be completed by December 2025.
