Ram Temple’s 1st anniversary to be celebrated on January 11, not on January 22. Here's why

The gathering during the consecration ceremony of Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22 this year. (File photo/ANI)

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is marking the first anniversary of Ram Mandir 'Pran Pratishtha' on January 11, Saturday, instead of January 22, the day when the consecration ceremony took place last year.

While announcing this decision, the temple trust said that there is a tradition in Hinduism to celebrate all festivals according to 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," the trust said in a post on X.

This practice reflects the deep connection of the temple’s celebration with Hindu culture and astrology, emphasising the importance of tradition over modern-day calendar systems.

The temple was inaugurated on January 22, 2024, in a grand ceremony attended by devotees and dignitaries. This marked the culmination of decades of legal and political battles over the site.

The one year anniversary celebrations will take place from January 11 to 13, 2025, featuring various rituals, prayers, and cultural events, allowing devotees and saints to participate in honouring Lord Ram.

When will the temple construction be completed?

The Ram temple in Ayodhya, originally set to be completed by June 2025, is now expected to be finished by September 2025 due to construction delays, PTI reported. Nripendra Misra, the chairman of the construction committee, explained that a shortage of around 200 workers has contributed to the delay.

Additionally, the committee plans to replace certain stones on the first floor, as some are "weak and thin." This replacement is intended to ensure the temple’s long-term durability.

The temple is also awaiting statues for Lord Ram’s court and the six surrounding temples from Jaipur production centres. These statues are expected to arrive in Ayodhya by December. Two Ram Lalla statues, already accepted by the temple trust, will be installed in prominent locations.