From Ram Lalla To Righteous King: Ayodhya Gears Up For ‘Pran Pratishtha 2.0'
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The June 5 ritual will install Raja Ram—depicted in his regal, sovereign form—on the temple's first floor along with life-sized idols of his brothers, Goddess Sita & Lord Hanuman
The ancient temple town of Ayodhya is once again reverberating with chants of devotion as it prepares for another spiritual milestone—'Pran Pratishtha 2.0'—scheduled for June 5.
Following the historic consecration of Ram Lalla on January 22, 2024, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is now readying for a second round of consecration rituals, which will mark the installation of Raja Ram in his majestic, kingly form on the temple's first floor. This phase of ritual sanctification also includes the Pran Pratishtha of multiple deities across the complex, including in seven surrounding shrines and seven additional mandapams.
For the three-day celebration, which will start from June 3, streets have been adorned with marigold garlands, flags, and rangolis. Officials associated with Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra said Vedic rituals, yagnas, ceremonial processions, and a grand aarti are on the agenda.
'The main event—the consecration of Raja Ram—will take place precisely at 11.25am on June 5, which coincides with the festival of Ganga Dussehra and also marks the birthday of UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who is expected to grace the occasion as the chief guest," the official said.
Balak Ram to Raja Ram
Unlike the January 2024 ceremony, which saw the consecration of Balak Ram, the child form of Lord Ram, in the sanctum sanctorum on the ground floor, the upcoming ritual will install Raja Ram—depicted in his regal, sovereign form—on the first floor. This depiction will be accompanied by life-sized idols of Goddess Sita, and Lord Ram's brothers Lakshman, Bharat, and Shatrughna, along with Lord Hanuman standing in eternal servitude.
In addition to the primary idols, the upcoming rituals will also sanctify seven shrines located within the temple enclosure (parikota), each dedicated to a specific deity placed according to Vastu Shastra. These include Lord Shiva in the northeast (Ishaan), Lord Ganesha in the southeast (Agni), Lord Hanuman in the southern wing, Surya Dev in the southwest (Nairitya), Goddess Bhagwati in the northwest (Vayavya), Annapurna Mata in the northern wing, and Sheshavatar Lakshman at the southwestern edge. Furthermore, seven other temples within the complex, dedicated to revered sages and figures from the Ramayan—such as Valmiki, Vashishtha, Vishwamitra, Ahalya, Shabari, and Nishad Raj—will also undergo Pran Pratishtha, thus completing a spiritually and culturally rich network of temples within the main precinct.
Champat Rai Urges Restraint
Speaking about the ceremony, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai emphasised the sanctity of the event. 'No one has been invited specifically for June 3, 4, or 5. We urge devotees not to visit Ayodhya merely upon hearing the term 'Pran Pratishtha'. Only those wishing to have darshan of Ram Lalla should come. The rituals are sacred and space is limited," Rai said, underlining that this event is primarily a ritual affair, not a political or public spectacle.
Over 101 Vedic scholars from Ayodhya and Kashi have been invited to oversee and conduct the ceremonies, which began informally with a Kalash Yatra on June 2 and will culminate with elaborate abhishek, aarti, and bhog offerings to the newly installed idols on June 5.
Swarna Shikhara: Golden Crown of Devotion
One of the architectural highlights in this phase of the temple's development is the newly installed Swarna Shikhara—a golden spire that now crowns the sanctum of the Ram Mandir. Recently unveiled by the trust, this gold-plated pinnacle stands as a radiant symbol of divine glory and architectural splendour.
Executed in the traditional Nagar style of temple architecture, the Swarna Shikhara has been crafted with intricate detailing and gold plating, turning the temple's highest point into a beacon of devotion visible from miles around. According to temple architects, it represents spiritual ascension and the temple's cosmic axis, or Meru, in Hindu tradition.
Heavy Security Arrangements
Over 10,000 personnel from UP Police and central paramilitary forces have been deployed to ensure smooth execution of events. Aerial surveillance with drones, an integrated network of CCTV cameras, and multi-layered checkpoints are all in place.
Ayodhya District Magistrate Nikhil Tikaram Funde said: 'Crowd management and logistical arrangements have been carefully planned to accommodate the expected influx of pilgrims. We have made comprehensive arrangements to ensure no inconvenience is caused to pilgrims. Traffic and crowd flow are being actively managed with the support of both civil and police administration."
Temple Nearing Completion by October 2025
The construction of the Ram Temple began formally with the 'bhumi pujan' on August 5, 2020, following the Supreme Court's landmark verdict in November 2019 that granted the disputed site for temple construction. Since then, the temple has progressed rapidly.
Built entirely with pink sandstone using traditional methods, the Ram Mandir measures 380 feet in length, 250 feet in width, and rises to a height of 161 feet. It rests on 392 intricately carved pillars and features 44 ornately designed doors. With the completion of this phase, the temple complex—comprising exhibition galleries, a research center, and spiritual gardens—is expected to be fully functional by October 2025.
Ram Mandir Construction Committee chairman Nripendra Misra said the final stages of work are nearing completion. 'This phase of Ram Mandir construction represents not just spiritual grandeur but also national pride and cultural renaissance," said Misra.
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