NEW DELHI, Nov 26: The first anniversary of the “Pran Pratishtha” celebrations of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple will be celebrated on January 11, 2025, and not on January 22, the day in the current year the 51-inch tall idol of Ram Lalla was consecrated in the sanctum-sanctorum of the temple in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh.
The decision was taken by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, the trust overlooking the temple operations, in keeping with the Hindu tradition.
The temple trust said the tradition in Hinduism specify that all festivals are celebrated as per the Hindu dates. According to the Hindu calendar, the consecration ceremony took place on Paush Shukla Paksh Dwadshi, also known as Kurma Dwadashi (12th day in the full moon cycle of Paush month). In 2025, the Hindu calendar date falls on January 11, so it has been decided to follow the Hindu calendar and celebrate the pran-pratishtha ceremony on January 11 in 2025.
“After consultation with saints, it was resolved that, in keeping with the tradition of observing Hindu festivals and celebrations according to the Hindu calendar (Panchang), the anniversary of the Pran Pratishtha of Prabhu Shri Ramlalla Sarkar will be celebrated annually on Paush Shukla Dwadashi, also known as Kurma Dwadashi, as per the Panchang. This date will be referred to as Pratishtha Dwadashi. In 2025, it will fall on 11 January,” it said in a post on X on Tuesday.
The Ram Temple trust in its meeting on Monday also took several key decisions related to development of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. It said a state-of-the-art health care system would be developed by Delhi’s Apollo Hospital in an area of 3000 square meters near the Passenger Service Centre in the temple premises. It further announced that the permanent 9 meters wide and about 600 meters long sheds have been installed replacing temporary German hangers in the temple premises to protect the pilgrims from the heat and rain.
The 51-inch-tall idol, crafted by famed sculptor Arun Yogiraj, was consecrated among around 8,000 VVIPS belonging to all sects of life. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had presided over the rituals of the pran pratishtha ceremony.
Mr Nripendra Mishra, Chairman of the construction committee had earlier said the temple which was initially scheduled for completion by June 2025, will likely be finished by September 2025. He had cited a shortage of around 200 workers and the need to replace certain stones on the temple’s first floor as primary reasons for the delay.
The temple, constructed in the traditional Nagara style, has a length (east-west) of 380 feet, a width of 250 feet, and a height of 161 feet. It is designed by celebrated architect Chandrakant B Sompura, in collaboration with son Ashish. The sanctum sanctorum houses the childhood form of Bhagwan Shri Ram (the idol of Shri Ram Lalla), while on the first floor, there is Shri Ram Darbar.
Supported by a total of 392 pillars and 44 doors, the Mandir is three-storied, with each floor being 20 feet tall. The pillars and walls showcase intricately sculpted depictions of Hindu deities, gods and goddesses.
(Manas Dasgupta)
