After Prime Minister Modi performed the consecration ceremony (pran pratishtha) of the idol of Ram Lalla, the sacred child form of Lord Ram, at the heart of the sanctum sanctorum on January 22, the first look of the 51-inch idol sculpted by Arun Yogiraj was unveiled to the public. The idol presents Ram Lalla as a five-year-old and was selected over two other options because it perfectly captured innocence, divinity, and royalty, as stated by the temple trust authorities.
Following the pran pratishtha, the Ram Lalla idol has been adorned with intricate jewellery from head to toe. Its hands hold a golden bow and arrow, while its forehead is adorned with a silver and red tilak. Lord Ram is attired in a yellow dhoti, harmonising with the yellow flowers and the dazzling jewellery.
“The divine moment of Pran Prathishta of Shri Ram Lala in Ayodhya Dham is an emotional moment for everyone. It is my good fortune to be part of this unique programme. Jai Siyaram,” PM Modi wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Also Read: PM Narendra Modi unveils Ram Lalla idol in Ayodhya
Following the ceremony, the PM made a deeply symbolic and respectful gesture at the Ram temple by performing 'Dandavat Pranam.' This act of devotion involves fully prostrating oneself, with the forehead touching the ground, symbolising the utmost reverence and humility in the Hindu tradition.
More than 50 traditional musical instruments hailing from 18 different states gave a musical start to the pran pratishtha ceremony. Designated as 'Mangal Dhwani' by officials from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, this musical session is characterised as a "rarest of the rare" event.
Conducted under the direction of Ayodhya's renowned poet Yatindra Mishra, the musical performance was supported by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in New Delhi.
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Monday's historic event, a variety of instruments graced the occasion, including the resonant tones of pakhawaj, flute, and dholak from Uttar Pradesh, the soulful strains of veena representing Karnataka's musical heritage, the rhythmic echoes of algoja, a symbol of Punjab's rich culture, the melodic notes of sundari from Maharashtra, and the traditional beats of mardala originating from Odisha.
Madhya Pradesh's musical traditions found expression in the enchanting tunes of the santoor, while Manipur's vibrant sounds were symbolised by the pung. Assam's rhythmic resonance was captured through the nagada and kali, and Chhattisgarh's musical roots were reflected in the harmonic backdrop of the tambura.
Additionally, instruments such as the shehnai from Delhi, the resonant ravanahatha from Rajasthan, the rhythmic shrikhol and sarod from West Bengal, the earthen sounds of ghatam from Andhra Pradesh, the soulful tones of sitar from Jharkhand, the dulcet melodies of santar from Gujarat, the traditional tunes of hudka from Uttarakhand, and the vibrant echoes of nagaswaram collectively wove a rich blend of musical accompaniment. These instruments harmonised the auspicious occasion with the cultural heritage and diversity of the nation.
The streets of Ayodhya were filled with the melodious tunes of songs such as 'Ram Aayenge' and 'Awadh Mein Ram Aayen Hain,' creating a musical atmosphere that blends seamlessly with the saffron flags decorating the buildings in this rejuvenated temple town.
Lakhs of people watched the event live on television and online platforms, as the central government has declared a half-day off on January 22, and several states have also adopted the same measure.
(With inputs from agencies)
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