Another pran pratistha in Ayodhya: Ceremony to take place in June

On April 30, a Ram Darbar will be installed in the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya, while the pran pratistha ceremony for all the installed idols will take place in June.

A Ram durbar, symbolic of all the virtues of the life of the Lord, generally consists of the four brothers, Goddess Sita and Hanuman.

On April 30 is Akshaya Tritiya, which is a spring festival and an auspicious date for both Hindus and Jains.

In June, all idols of the temple will undergo a three-day pran pratistha ceremony.

The Ram durbar is being carved by Satyanarayan Pandey—a sculptor from Jaipur, who was one of the three who had carved the idol of the infant Ram. Pandey’s statue of white makrana marble was not chosen finally. The idol that was chosen was carved by Arun Yogiraj of Mysuru from Krishna Shila (black schist stone).

Champat Rai, the general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra, said in Ayodhya that the idols were almost ready. Clothes and jewellery were also being prepared and they will be brought to Ayodhya after April 15.

Among the new idols to be installed are those of Maharishi Valmiki, Guru Vashishth, Vishwamitra, Agastya, Nishadraj, Shabri, and Devi Ahalya. One of Tulsidas, the creator of the Ramcharitamanas and the Hanuman Chalisa, has recently been installed. A total of 18 idols will be brought from Jaipur. These will also go to the other temples that are on the premises, including those of Annapurna, Hanuman, and Shiva.

Though the pran pratistha ceremony will be on a smaller scale than that which took place on January 22 last year, Rai said all mandatory rituals like Jalavas, Annavas, Aushadhivas, and Shayyavas will be performed. After a pran pratistha the idols are to be cared for like living beings, with set timings for rest and food.