Second phase of Ram temple consecration starts in Ayodhya
Series of ceremonies to mark the second phase of consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya began on Tuesday. The events started with processions from the Saryu River followed by rituals for the 'Pran Pratistha' of the deities at the Ram Darbar on the first floor of the temple as well as in seven other temples located within the ramparts.
Heavy security arrangements were made across the city for the three-day event, which will conclude on Thursday, on the occasion of Ganga Dasara.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is scheduled to attend four key events related to the consecration, including the main ceremony, the Saryu Trayodashi Utsav, the birthday celebrations of trust president Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, and an event on the World Environment Day.
Secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, Champat Rai, has urged the devotees to avoid visiting as no special arrangements for the crowd have been made considering the heat. The trust has also not made any public invitations for the event.
'The temple remains open for darshan of Lord Ram but the first floor of Ram Darbar and nearby temples are still under construction and are not open to devotees,' he said.
Ayodhya District Magistrate Nikhil Tikaram Funde said considering the extra rush in town, arrangements such as shaded waiting areas, drinking water, sanitation and ORS sachets had been put in place for devotees. Emergency hospital beds had also been reserved across the district.
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