Ram Temple’s 1st anniversary brings massive devotee crowd to holy city Ayodhya

Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya is witnessing a massive influx of devotees as it celebrates the first anniversary of the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of the Ram Temple.

Ayodhya: Lakhs of Ram Bhakts are flocking to the holy city of Ayodhya as the city celebrates the first anniversary of the Ram Temple’s ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony. The historic ceremony was performed on January 22 last year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with priests, led the main rituals. This year, the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony will be held on January 11, 2025, according to the Hindu calendar. In 2024, this sacred ceremony took place on Kurma Dwadashi during the Shukla Paksha of the Paush month. This year, the Shukla Paksha falls on January 11.

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Devotees arrive at Ayodhya Ram temple on the occasion of the first anniversary of ‘Pran Pratishtha’ pic.twitter.com/8lYh8tNsux

— ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2025

To celebrate the occasion, several spiritual events and cultural programs have been planned at the temple.

On January 11, the day began with Agnihotra, accompanied by mantras from the Shukla Yajurveda, taking place twice—once from 8 AM to 11 AM and again from 2 PM to 5 PM. These rituals will be followed by the chanting of 6 lakh Shri Ram Mantras. Recitation of the Ram Raksha Stotra and Hanuman Chalisa will also be done.

On the ground floor of the temple, ‘Rag Seva’ will be organized from 3 PM to 5 PM, followed by a congratulatory song at 6 PM. Similarly, a Musical Manas recitation will take place on the first floor of the passenger convenience center. A Ram Katha has also been planned at ‘Angad Tila’ within the temple premises, followed by a Manas Discourse and cultural program. According to the Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, over 2 lakh devotees visited the temple on January 1, the first day of the year, to offer their prayers.

The ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony of Lord Ram took place on January 22, 2024, with the main rituals performed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After the rituals, the idol of Ram Lalla was unveiled. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir is built in the traditional Nagara style, measuring 380 feet in length (east-west), 250 feet in width, and 161 feet in height.

It is supported by a total of 392 intricately sculpted pillars and 44 doors. The temple’s walls and pillars feature detailed carvings depicting Hindu deities, Gods, and Goddesses. In the main sanctum on the ground floor, the childhood form of Bhagwan Shri Ram (the idol of Shri Ramlalla) has been enshrined.

A sea of Ram Bhakts have been flocking to the holy city since the Pran Pratishtha ceremony and visiting the Ram Temple to take the blessings of Lord Ram. Daily visitors to the Hanumangarhi Ram Temple has also been increasing rapidly.