Latest news with #GaddiNasheen
New Indian Express
30-04-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Hanuman Garhi chief priest ends 288-year-old seclusion, visits Ram Lalla temple
PATNA: Ayodhya witnessed a historic and emotional moment on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya when Mahant Prem Chand Das Ji, the 70-year-old Gaddi Nasheen and chief priest of Hanuman Garhi temple, broke a 288-year-old tradition by stepping out of the temple premises to have darshan of Ram Lalla at the Ram Janmbhoomi site. This marked the first time in nearly three centuries that a Gaddi Nasheen ventured beyond Hanuman Garhi's 52-bigha boundary, defying a strict tradition that had barred all previous occupants of the post from ever leaving the temple compound. Mahant Prem Das Ji, who has held the revered seat as the 22nd Gaddi Nasheen for the past eight years, had never stepped outside the temple in that time. 'I am overwhelmed after taking darshan of Ram Lalla from the front. I felt as if he is saying something. The deity often speaks but we are not able to understand,' he said after the visit. According to temple sources, the custom dated back to the 18th century and was so binding that even legal obligations could not compel a Gaddi Nasheen to appear in court. However, this year, the Mahant expressed a long-held desire to visit the Ram temple. A meeting of the Nirvani Akhara, which owns Hanuman Garhi, was convened on April 21, where it was unanimously decided to allow the Mahant to visit Ram Lalla. On Wednesday morning, Ayodhya's streets were filled with devotees eager to witness the rare procession led by the Gaddi Nasheen. Elephants, camels, horses, and the Akhara's nishaan (insignia) accompanied the colourful procession from Hanuman Garhi to the Ram temple. The Mahant was also accompanied by Naga sadhus, disciples, devotees, and local traders. The journey began with a traditional bath at the banks of the River Saryu at 7 am, after which the procession made its way towards the Ram temple. 'After a wait of 500 years, the Ram Lalla temple has been constructed. Therefore, the Gaddi Nasheen of Ayodhya's Hanuman Garhi went to have darshan of Ram Lalla. He was accompanied by saints from all four sects after taking a bath in the Saryu River on Akshaya Tritiya. It marked the beginning of a new tradition in Ayodhya,' said Acharya Mithilesh Nandini Sharan, a saint of Hanumat Niwas. Another priest, Sanjay Das of Hanuman Garhi, revealed that for the past three months, Lord Hanuman had been spiritually inspiring the Mahant to visit Shri Ram Lalla. During the darshan, 56 types of bhog (offerings) were presented to the deity on behalf of the Hanuman Garhi temple. The Gaddi Nasheen spent nearly an hour on the temple premises, completing a deeply symbolic and spiritually significant journey that has now laid the foundation for what saints call a 'new tradition' in Ayodhya. On January 22, 2024, the idol of Ram Lalla was consecrated at the newly constructed temple, marking a milestone in a movement that had lasted centuries.
India Today
29-04-2025
- Politics
- India Today
How Hanuman Garhi priest's Ayodhya Ram Mandir visit will create history
Ayodhya is set to witness an unprecedented procession on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya on Wednesday. The mahant of Ayodhya's revered Hanuman Garhi Temple, a must-visit for Ayodhya pilgrims, is set to break a centuries-old "constitutional" rule. Seventy-year-old Mahant Prem Das will be stepping outside the Hanuman Garhi's 52-bigha premises for the first time, barring a hospital trip, for a darshan of Lord mahant of Hanuman Garhi Temple is considered to be the custodian of Ayodhya and supposed to be ever-present at the on Wednesday, he will deviate from the norm of centuries. Das, atop a chariot flanked by elephants, horses, camels, silver sceptres, and a sea of devotees, will make his ceremonial journey of a kilometre to the newly built Ram Mandir, reported news agency PTI. So, what triggered this unprecedented move by the 'Gaddi Nasheen' of Hanuman Garhi? Why break a centuries-old tradition now? What held him back all these years, and is there a political message too?HANUMAN GARHI'S MAHANT IS THE 'GADDI NASHEEN'The rule of the 'Gaddi Nasheen' not going out, comes from the Hanuman Garhi's "samvidhan" (constitution), which dates back over 200 years, when the shrine became the principal seat of the Nirvani Akhara, according to The India Express. The Nirvani Akhara is a prominent and influential Shaiva monastic tradition that started with the establishment of the temple in the 18th century was so strict that the 'Gaddi Nasheen' was barred from appearing even before local courts," Ayodhya resident Prajjwal Singh told news agency to local belief, Lord Ram entrusted his kingdom to Hanuman while departing from the earth, positioning Hanuman as Ayodhya's eternal guardian. The 'Gaddi Nasheen', as Lord Hanuman's living representative, is required to remain within the temple premises. It was his unwavering duty to protect the city in Ram's and Hanuman's presence, according to The Indian land for Hanuman Garhi was donated in 1855 by Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, the last Nawab of Awadh. WHAT PROMPTED HANUMAN GARHI'S MAHANT TO STEP OUT?The 'Gaddi Nasheen' of the Hanuman Garhi, breaking the tradition, is actually moved by recurring divine dreams for several Prem Das reported experiencing recurring dreams in which Lord Hanuman commanded him to visit the Ram Mandir at these visions as a divine directive, Das sought permission from the Nirvani Akhara's panchayat, a 400-member council, which convened on April 21 and unanimously approved the visit, according to the report."The procession will be taken out with horses and elephants, there will be 'nishan', then there will be Naga Sadhus. We will worship at Sarayu, we will then take a holy dip. 'Chappan bhog' will be offered," Mahant Prem Das told we will do 'darshan' of Ram Lalla. We will pray for the prosperity and health of people," added procession will begin at 7 am with Mahant Prem Das on a chariot, but he will switch to a four-wheeler to enter the Ram Mandir due to security protocols in the SIGNIFICANCE OF THE 'GADDI NASHEEN'S' RAM MANDIR VISITAlthough the unprecedented visit of the 'Gaddi Nasheen' to the Ram Mandir, coinciding with Akshaya Tritiya, has religious symbolism, there is political significance pran prathistha of the idol of Ram Lalla on January 22, 2024, in a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, represented a landmark moment for millions of devotees that came after centuries of Garhi is historically distanced from the Ram Mandir movement due to its distinct religious identity and commitment to spiritual neutrality. The Mandir Movement culminated in the construction of the Ram temple in 2024, after a Supreme Court 2016, when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, then the party's vice-president, visited Ayodhya, he chose to offer prayers at Hanuman Garhi, giving the Ram Janmabhoomi site a miss. Though the site was just about a kilometre away, Rahul stayed away from the spot where the 'shilanyas' (foundation stone) for the Ram Temple had been done by kar sevaks in 1989, according to a PTI report from September visit, which came months before the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election, was seen as a Brahmin-centric campaign by the Congress scion. The mahant's visit to the Ram Mandir on Wednesday might draw some attention from a few political every way, Wednesday's visit by Hanuman Garhi mahant to the Ram Mandir is significant as it creates history, breaking away from a centuries-old tradition.
NDTV
29-04-2025
- General
- NDTV
Hanuman Garhi Chief Priest Breaks 70-Year Tradition To Visit Ram Mandir In Ayodhya
Ayodhya is set to witness a historic event this Akshaya Tritiya, observed on April 30th. Mahant Prem Chand Das Ji, the 70-year-old chief priest of the Hanumangarhi Temple, who holds the title of 'Gaddi Nasheen,' will embark on a majestic procession to visit Ram Lalla. This unprecedented occasion marks the first time a 'Gaddi Nasheen' has ventured beyond Hanumangarhi's 52-bigha boundary, making it a truly significant moment for Ayodhya. According to a centuries-old custom, the 'Gaddi Nasheen' is barred from walking out of the temple all his life. Ayodhya resident Prajjwal Singh told new agency PTI,"The tradition that started with the establishment of the temple in the 18th century was so strict that the 'Gaddi Nasheen' was barred from appearing even before local courts." The break from tradition comes after Mahant Prem Das expressed a desire to visit the Ram Temple. He conveyed the wish to the Panch (members) of Nirvani Akhara, who unanimously granted him their permission for the visit. "On Akshay Tritiya, which is on April 30, the Gaddi Nasheen will lead a procession, which will also feature elephants, camels, and horses, from Hanumangarhi to Ram Lalla along with the Akhara's 'Nishaan' (insignia)," Mahant Ramkumar Das, the chief of Nirvani Akhara, said. He said the chief priest will be accompanied by Naga sadhus, their disciples, devotees, and local traders. The procession will reach the banks of the Saryu River at 7 am for a ritual bath and then proceed towards the Ram Temple, he said. "After a wait of 500 years, the Ram Lalla temple has been constructed. Therefore, the 'Gaddi Nasheen' of Ayodhya's Hanuman Garhi will go to have darshan of Ram Lalla. He will visit along with saints from all four sects after taking a bath in the Saryu River at 7 am on Akshaya Tritiya. This will mark the beginning of a new tradition in Ayodhya," said Acharya Mithilesh Nandini Sharan, a saint of Hanumat Niwas. "The saints and sages of Ayodhya are very happy with this initiative and are quite enthusiastic too." Saint Sanjay Das of Hanumangarhi shared that for the past three months, Lord Hanuman has been spiritually inspiring the 'Gaddi Nasheen' Mahant to visit Shri Ram Lalla. During the darshan, 56 types of bhog (offerings) will be presented to the deity on behalf of Ayodhya's Hanumangarhi temple. On January 22, 2024, an idol of the Ram Lalla was consecrated at the Ayodhya Temple in a landmark event. Parts of temple still remain under construction.
News18
27-04-2025
- General
- News18
Hanumangarhi Chief Priest To Walk Out Of Temple In 7 Decades To Visit Ram Mandir
Agency: PTI Last Updated: Bestowed with the title of 'Gaddi Nasheen,' Mahant Prem Das is 70 years old and has never left the temple premises, which is spread over 52 bighas in Ayodhya. Hanumangarhi Temple chief priest will leave his home for the first time to visit the nearby Ram Mandir on Akshay Tritya on April 30. Bestowed with the title of 'Gaddi Nasheen,' Mahant Prem Das is 70 years old and has never left the temple premises, which is spread over 52 bighas in Ayodhya. According to a centuries-old custom, the Gaddi Nasheen is barred from walking out of the temple all his life. Ayodhya resident Prajjwal Singh told PTI, "The tradition that started with the establishment of the temple in the 18th century was so strict that the 'Gaddi Nasheen' was barred from appearing even before local courts." The break from tradition comes after Mahant Prem Das expressed a desire to visit the Ram Temple. He conveyed the wish to the Panch (members) of Nirvani Akhara, who unanimously granted him their permission for the visit. "On Akshay Tritiya, which is on April 30, the Gaddi Nasheen will lead a procession, which will also feature elephants, camels, and horses, from Hanumangarhi to Ram Lalla along with the Akhara's 'Nishaan' (insignia)," Mahant Ramkumar Das, the chief of Nirvani Akhara, said. He said the chief priest will be accompanied by Naga sadhus, their disciples, devotees, and local traders. The procession will reach the banks of the Saryu River at 7 am for a ritual bath and then proceed towards the Ram Temple, he said. On January 22, 2024, an idol of the Ram Lalla was consecrated at the Ayodhya Temple in a landmark event. Parts of temple still remain under construction. First Published: April 27, 2025, 18:09 IST
Hindustan Times
27-04-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Hanumangarhi chief priest to walk out of temple first time in decades to visit Ram Mandir
Hanumangarhi Temple chief priest will leave his home for the first time to visit the nearby Ram Mandir on Akshay Tritya on April 30. Bestowed with the title of 'Gaddi Nasheen,' Mahant Prem Das is 70 years old and has never left the temple premises, which is spread over 52 bighas in Ayodhya. According to a centuries-old custom, the Gaddi Nasheen is barred from walking out of the temple all his life. Ayodhya resident Prajjwal Singh told PTI, "The tradition that started with the establishment of the temple in the 18th century was so strict that the 'Gaddi Nasheen' was barred from appearing even before local courts." The break from tradition comes after Mahant Prem Das expressed a desire to visit the Ram Temple. He conveyed the wish to the Panch (members) of Nirvani Akhara, who unanimously granted him their permission for the visit. "On Akshay Tritiya, which is on April 30, the Gaddi Nasheen will lead a procession, which will also feature elephants, camels, and horses, from Hanumangarhi to Ram Lalla along with the Akhara's 'Nishaan' (insignia)," Mahant Ramkumar Das, the chief of Nirvani Akhara, said. He said the chief priest will be accompanied by Naga sadhus, their disciples, devotees, and local traders. The procession will reach the banks of the Saryu River at 7 am for a ritual bath and then proceed towards the Ram Temple, he said. On January 22, 2024, an idol of the Ram Lalla was consecrated at the Ayodhya Temple in a landmark event. Parts of temple still remain under construction.
