Second Pran Pratistha in Ayodhya today: How it will be different from the first

Indian Express

04-06-2025

NEARLY ONE and a half years after the Pran Pratistha of the Ram Lalla idol at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the town will on Thursday witness a second Pran Pratistha. The construction work on the main temple is nearing completion, with the stage set on June 5 for the consecration of the Ram Darbar made out of white makrana marble on the first floor, depicting Lord Ram in his 'king form', accompanied by Goddess Sita, Hanuman and three brothers.
Simultaneously, consecration will also take place at the seven temples dedicated to different deities in the parcotta (rampart) of the main temple on Thursday.
However, unlike last year, the town is rather quiet this time around, with the focus mainly on the religious rituals involving 101 Acharyas from different parts of the country including Kashi, Ayodhya, Basti, Delhi, Kolkata, Devprayag, Haridwar, Jammu etc, who have come to perform the rituals for the Ram Darbar as well as the other temples.
While activities in the rest of the town are progressing as usual, except for a few restrictions, the chanting of mantras and havans are taking place at the nine Yagya Kundas simultaneously. Since there is no major influx of VIPs, unlike the previous year, traffic restrictions were also kept to a minimum till Thursday.
However, on June 5, traffic restrictions have been put in place across the town as Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is set to take part in the consecration rituals and also attend the 'Trayodashi' event to mark the birth anniversary of the Saryu River, as well as Ganga Dussehra functions.
June 5 is also Adityanath's 53rd birthday. An official with the Ram Janma Bhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust said that apart from the religious rituals, there would be 'no event this time' and the focus is mainly on the religious rituals this time and on sadhus and acharyas performing the same or would be participating on the final day – Thursday. He pointed out that CM Adityanath has been invited as he is a saint himself and to also mark his birthday.
According to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, the Pran Pratishtha rituals will begin at 11 am on Thursday, featuring special worship, vedic chanting and havan ceremonies for the installation of the idols. Trust Secretary Champat Rai informed that these rituals would conclude around 1:30 pm on Thursday, with the performing of arti.
Devotees from across the country can continue to visit the Ram Temple as well as Hanuman Garhi temple during the rituals, officials said. Starting June 3, around 12 hours of rituals have been performed daily – from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm.
Officials at the Trust informed that while the main Acharya leading the rituals is Jai Prakash Tripathi from Kashi, next to him would be Acharya Chandra Bhanu Sharma from Delhi. Ram Temple Trust member Anil Mishra and his wife will be the main 'Yajman' at the event.
On Wednesday, the Utsav Vigrahas (smaller idols for the purpose of celebration) were taken on a tour of the premises. Unlike the first day (Tuesday), apart from the Yagya Mandap, worship was also done at the places where Pran Pratishtha was held.
Trust officials informed that from 6:30 am onwards, the invoked deities were worshipped for two hours in the yajna mandap. Then the 'annadhiwas' ritual was carried out, where the idols are offered food. Then, the bathing of the idols was carried out.
Later, from 2 pm to 3 pm, the Utsav Vigrahas (or the celebration idols' were taken for a visit to the premises, followed by Shayya Dhiwas, where the idols are put to rest. In the late afternoon, the Vastu Puja of the palaces was performed, where these idols have been placed.