Inauguration Ceremony of Ayodhya Ram Temple
On 22 January 2024, the inauguration of the Ram Temple took place in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, in northern India. The 'pran pratishtha' ceremony was held to consecrate the statue of Ram Lalla.
The preparation ceremonies started seven days before with prayers and traditional Vedic rituals. The temple was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with thousands of spiritual leaders, important personalities, and pilgrims present at this special occasion.
Mahamandaleshwar Swami Gyaneshwar Puri Ji, from Om Vishwa Guru Deep Ashram in Jaipur, and translator of the book Ramcharitmanas – lake of the deeds of Rama, into Croatian language, was also present, attending in the name of Vishwaguruji Paramhans Swami Maheshwaranandji.
Ayodhya is the birthplace of the revered god, Lord Rama and holds great spiritual, historical, and cultural significance for the people of India. According to the Indian epic, the Ramayana, Lord Rama – the god Vishnu's seventh manifestation – grew up along the River Sarayu in Ayodhya.
Ayodhya has many temples and holy places, but the most important is the Hanuman Garhi, a 10th-century temple dedicated to the Hindu god, Hanuman. It is believed that Lord Hanuman lived at the temple site guarding Ayodhya. Before visiting the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, it is recommended one should first visit the Hanuman Garhi.
During his stay in Ayodhya, Mahamandaleshwar Swami Gyaneshwar Puri Ji visited the court of King Dashrath (father of Lord Rama), the Hanuman Garhi temple, the Shri Bhaktmal temple, the sacred River Sarayu and many more holy sites.
