The first anniversary celebrations of the consecration ceremony of the Ram Lalla idol in Ayodhya began on Saturday, attracting thousands of devotees to the holy city. The celebrations, which will span from January 11 to 13, include a series of religious and cultural programs at the Ram Temple complex, marking the momentous occasion.
The festivities kicked off with the recitation of Yajurveda, and a series of rituals and prayers are planned throughout the day. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is expected to perform the ‘abhishek’ (ritualistic bathing) of Ram Lalla, followed by a grand aarti scheduled for around 12:20 pm. The deity will then be offered a symbolic feast of 56 dishes as part of the traditional rituals.
The temple’s court has been beautifully decorated with flowers in preparation for the landmark event. Devotees from all over India, as well as from abroad, have arrived in Ayodhya to take part in the anniversary celebrations. Many of them missed the original consecration ceremony in January 2024, making this event particularly significant for them.
Anup Mishra, a local resident, expressed his joy, saying, “We were unable to attend the Ram Janmabhoomi ceremony last year, but this time we are fortunate to be here on the first anniversary.” Similarly, Sarla Maheshwari, a devotee from Bhopal, shared her excitement, stating, “We reached Ayodhya two days ago and are thrilled to witness the deity’s celebration today.”
The anniversary celebrations have been designed to be inclusive, allowing those who couldn’t attend the historic event last year to join in. A German hangar tent, set up at the Angad Teela site, can accommodate up to 5,000 people. This space will host classical cultural performances, daily Ram Katha discourses, and other religious rituals. The public can witness these grand events, offering them a rare opportunity to participate in the celebrations.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, responsible for organizing the event, has invited around 110 VIPs, including those who missed the original consecration ceremony. In addition to the VIPs, the Trust has extended invitations to common devotees who will be part of the three-day celebrations at the Angad Teela site.
Champat Rai, the general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, said, “The Trust decided to invite people who could not attend the initial consecration ceremony. We want to ensure that all devotees are included in this momentous occasion.” The Trust is also encouraging pilgrims to visit Ayodhya during the festival and take part in the events, ensuring that the spirit of the celebration reaches as many people as possible.
Last year, on January 22, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the grand consecration ceremony of the Ram Lalla idol, marking a historic milestone in the temple’s journey. In his speech, Modi called for building a “strong, capable, and divine” India, underpinned by the values of faith and resilience, for the next 1,000 years.
The first anniversary celebrations continue to be a spiritual beacon for millions of devotees, fostering a sense of unity, devotion, and national pride.
Sources By Agencies
