Ram Mandir Inauguration: How will Pran Pratishtha ceremony transform stone Ram Lalla into divine deity?

On January 22, the idol of Lord Ram Lalla will be installed in the heart of Ayodhya. The inauguration will be led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the consecration is anticipated to take place between 12.15 pm and 12.45 pm.

Amid the fervour surrounding the preparations, one might wonder what the Pran Pratishtha ceremony is and why this ritual holds significance.

Pran Pratishtha ceremony and its significance

The term “Pran” signifies life while “Pratishtha” translates to establishment. It is a sacred consecration ritual that breathes life into an idol, transforming it into a divine entity. The ritual leads to a sacred union of the divine and the material aimed at bridging the gap between devotees and the object of their adoration.

Also read: 14 couples from across country to be 'Yajmans' for Ayodhya consecration ceremony

The ritual begins with the purification of the idol by bathing it. The cleansing process symbolises the removal of earthly impurities to ensure the idol is a structure worthy of divine presence. The ceremony involves various rituals extracted from the Vedas and Puranas, each carrying its unique significance. The culmination of these rituals is the transfer of the divine energy into the idol, marking the completion of “Pran Prathishta”.

Also read: Ayodhya Ram Mandir: All you need to know about the temple’s Nagara style architecture

The ceremony is not complete without the offering of various sacred substances, such as water, milk, honey, and flowers. Each offering symbolises an aspect of devotion and represents the bounties of the Earth being presented to the divine.

Placement of idol

The ceremony also involves the placement of a consecrated metal plate or “Yantra” beneath the idol. This geometric design is believed to enhance the divine energy within the temple. According to Hindu religious texts, the face of the idol should always be towards the east. It is believed that the idols should be installed facing the east as the Sun rises in this direction. After installing it in the right place, the priests start singing the hymns and performing rituals. Then the eyes of the idol are opened. Now, the idol can be worshipped.

PM following Yama Niyam

PM Narendra Modi has adopted a strict regime ahead of the consecration of the Ram temple. Last week, he had announced that he would follow Yama Niyam, which is necessary to observe for 11 days before holy occasions. “Only 11 days are left for Ram Lalla’s ‘pran pratishtha’ in Ayodhya. I am fortunate to witness the auspicious occasion. God has asked me to represent the people of India during the ceremony. Keeping in mind, I am beginning an 11-day special ritual from today. I seek blessings from all of you,” the PM had said in a video on X.

As part of the rituals, the PM is sleeping on the floor, drinking coconut water, consuming sattvic food in small quantities and engaging in meditation and yoga.