Ram Mandir Updates: 'Determined to Preserve Rich Heritage,' PM Says Ahead of Ayodhya Visit

With the consecration of Lord Ram’s idol in Ayodhya scheduled to take place on January 22, devotees are looking forward to the occasion with much excitement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Saturday visit the town to inaugurate and lay the foundation stones of a slew of projects, including the newly constructed airport terminal, and a railway station. Notably, the authorities have announced that all schools from classes 1 to 12 will remain closed on Saturday, December 30.

The Ram Mandir opening ceremony is set to register new highs and challenge the existing stereotypes that prevailed in the country through years. Exemplifying a journey of faith, a Muslim woman shocked many when she decided to embark on an expedition from Mumbai to Ayodhya on foot to witness the grand event.

If this wasn’t enough for you to take note of the excitement level among Ram Lalla’s devotees, you would be stunned if you come to know that beggars from Kashi and Prayagraj have also donated Rs 4 lakh for the construction of the temple.

Sonia Gandhi May Attend Jan 22 Ayodhya Event

Congress on Friday said that Sonia Gandhi had received an invitation for the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22. However, the party added that the decision on whether she will attend the ceremony will be decided at an “appropriate time”.

“Chairman Congress parliamentary party Sonia Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge have been invited to the inauguration of the Ram Temple. A decision will be taken at an appropriate time, and communicated at an appropriate time,” Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, according to The Times of India.

Voting To Select Ram Lalla Idol Today

The voting to select the idol of Lord Ram Lalla for the grand Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya will take place on Friday, December 29. The decision will mark a crucial step in the construction and consecration of the temple, scheduled for January 22.

According to NDTV, three distinct designs crafted by separate sculptors will be presented in front of the selection committee. The idol receiving the highest number of votes will be installed inside the sanctum sanctorum during the consecration ceremony.

Schools to Remain Close in Ayodhya on December 30

With a fall in mercury and cold weather conditions prevailing in Uttar Pradesh, the district administration in Ayodhaya announced that all schools from classes 1 to 12 will remain closed on Saturday, December 30. notably, PM Modi is also set to visit the city ahead of the inauguration of Ram Temple.

CM Yogi Adityanath Inspects Ayodhya Railway Station

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath arrived at Ayodhya Dham railway station and inspected the arrangements ahead of PM Modi’s visit on December 30.

PM will flag off new Amrit Bharat trains and Vande Bharat trains along with inaugrating the railway station. He will also dedicate several other railway projects to the nation.

PM Modi to Visit Ayodhya Tomorrow

As per the schedule, the Prime Minister will first inaugurate the redeveloped Ayodhya Railway Station and then flag off new Amrit Bharat and Vande Bharat trains at around 11:15 am. Following this, he will inaugurate the newly constructed Ayodhya International Airport.

The Prime Minister’s visit comes weeks ahead of the much-awaited consecration ceremony of the idol of Ram Lalla.

PM Says Determined To Preserve Rich Heritage

A day ahead of his Ayodhya’s visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on microblogging site, X that his government is determined to preserve rich heritage of the holy city. He further shared a slew of projects he will be inaugurating, including redeveloped railway station and newly constructed airport.

From Mumbai To Ayodhya: Muslim Women Journey on Foot

Keeping aside all the stereotypes, a young Muslim woman, Shabnam, embarked on a journey from Mumbai to Ayodhya. She is accompanied by her companions, Raman Raj Sharma and Vineet Pandey. With immense faith in Lord Ram, Shabnam is set to cover a distance of 1,425 kilometres on foot.

Kashi And Prayagraj Beggars Donate Rs 4 Lakh

The fund for building the Ram temple in Ayodhya has received overwhelming support from devotees worldwide. Among them, beggars from Kashi and Prayagraj have also donated Rs 4 lakh for the construction of the temple. A large family of beggars donated a substantial amount of Rs 4.5 lakh reportedly.

More than 300 beggars from Prayagraj and Kashi participated in the fund campaign, organised by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh for the Shri Ram Mandir Tirth Trust. As a token of appreciation, they will be invited to take part in the upcoming consecration ceremony of Ramlala.

Details of Ram Temple Complex

The Ayodhya temple complex spread in an area spanning 71 acres will include the Ram Mandir, covering 2.77 acres and divided into six parts, including the sanctum sanctorum and five pavilions—Gun Mandap, Rang Mandap, Nritya Mandap, Kirtan Mandap, Prarthana Mandap. The temple is designed to be 161 feet high, with three floors, each 19.5 feet.

The best engineering minds from IITs and IIMs have come up together to make the foundation of the temple robust so that it can stand for 1,000 years. The director of IIT Guwahati carried out a survey to understand the quality of the land. Almost 20,000 cubic metres of mud was removed. 56 layers of 14 metres have been created as an artificial rock for the foundation. But the problem was that rock would absorb water. So about 17,000 blocks of granite, 21 feet in height, were used to create a robust plinth. Read More