Ceremony to mark culmination of Ayodhya Ram Temple construction on Nov 25: Here's how it will stand apart from past events

Preparations have been stepped up for the completion of the Ram Temple construction and a flag-hoisting ceremony is scheduled for November 25 this year. (File Photo)

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which oversees the construction and management of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, has stepped up preparations for a grand flag-hoisting ceremony to mark the culmination of the project.

As per a report in The Indian Express, preparations have been stepped up for the completion of the Ram temple construction and the Trust has scheduled a flag-hoisting event for November 25 this year, which could also see the presence of President Droupadi Murmu.

An exercise has been underway, with assistance from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, to finalise the guest list for the ceremony, the report quoted Trust officials involved in the preparations as saying.

The theme of the Ram Temple's concluding event will be "samras samaj" (inclusive society), in which the invitees would mainly comprise grassroots faces from 24 districts around Ayodhya from regions such as Awadh, Goraksh and Kanpur, they said.

As per sources cited in the report, the ceremony will be distinct from the previous two Pran Pratishtha events held at the temple with the focus this time on ensuring the inclusion of local and marginalised groups.

"There would be gram pradhans from 24 neighbouring districts as well as representatives from such communities on the guest list,” the sources said, adding that these invitees would be mainly from the Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs), among others.

As per the Trust officials quoted in the report, the rituals for the "dhwaja rohan" or flag hoisting ceremony will begin on November 23 while the main ceremony is scheduled to be held on November 25, also marking "Vivah Panchami" to celebrate the wedding of Lord Ram and Goddess Sita.

A 42-feet-long "dhwaja stambha" or flag staff has already been installed on top of the 161-feet high spire of the main temple, where the flag would be hoisted. On the same day, flags would also be hoisted on smaller temples of different deities, which have also been established within the Ram Temple complex.

The first consecration event – the Pran Pratishtha of the Ram Lalla idol – at the Ram Mandir was led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 22, 2024. The ceremony saw several politicians and dignitaries from different walks of life in attendance.

The second Pran Pratishtha, which saw the consecration of a statue of Lord Ram in the form of a King at Ram Darbar, took place in June this year. The ceremony mainly involved saints and seers from all Sanatan sects.