The Lord Ram's birthplace 'Ayodhya' in India's Uttar Pradesh is buzzing with huge excitement as the fourth day of the 'pre-pran pratishtha' rituals began on Friday.
Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Ram in Uttar Pradesh, India, is abuzz with excitement as the fourth day of 'pre-pran pratishtha' rituals began on Friday.
The priests lit the holy fire in front of the idol of Lord Ram installed on Thursday, worshipped the Navagraha (nine planets) and performed havan (prayers to God before fire) rituals.
Covered with a veil, a glimpse of the idol of Lord Ram's childhood form placed in the sanctum sanctorum was revealed as priests worshipped the idol by offering 'Aushdhadhiwas' (medicinal abode), 'Kesaradhiwas' (saffron abode), 'Dhritashiwas' (Dhrita abode), and 'Pushpadhiwas' (flower abode).
The city of Ayodhya has been adorned with posters of Lord Ram at several places, selfie points have been set up and tea stalls have been set up to provide free tea and biscuits to the visitors coming to Ayodhya.
Saint Badri, who travelled 566 km from Damoh to Ayodhya for the grand Pran Pratishtha, was seen pulling the chariot of Lord Ram with his braid.
The Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) Police Band from Varanasi arrived in Ayodhya and played at the Lata Mangeshkar Chowk.
Security has been stepped up ahead of the grand opening on 22 January.
The main rituals will be performed by a team of priests led by Lakshmikant Dixit, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony.
Over 7,000 guests from across the country are expected to attend the grand opening of the Ram temple.
The event will be graced by several celebrities, including Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan, actress Alia Bhatt, and sports stars Virat Kohli, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, and Sachin Tendulkar.
On Thursday, the Centre announced that all government offices will be closed for half a day on 22 January for the 'Pran Patishtha' ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Several organisations and groups of people in India and abroad have planned a wide range of activities to coincide with the Pran Pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya.
The temple doors will be open to visitors from the following day.