The historic Ram Temple in Ayodhya will welcome devotees for darshan on December 31, even as the temple town gears up for grand celebrations to mark the second anniversary of the consecration of Ram Lalla. The Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has confirmed that while elaborate five-day festivities are planned, the sacred viewing of the deity will continue for pilgrims with only brief, necessary interruptions.
Grand Celebrations and Ceremonial Schedule
Religious observances for the milestone anniversary commenced on Saturday with a sacred havan conducted at specially erected yagyashalas. The pinnacle of the ceremonies is scheduled for Wednesday, December 31, between 12:20 pm and 1:00 pm. This main muhurat will be led by Ram temple trust member and Pejavara Math head, Sri Vishwaprasanna Tirtha Swami, who will be joined by 108 Vedic scholars from across India.
The event will witness the presence of high-profile dignitaries, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Temple trust office bearers indicated that darshan might be momentarily restricted during this main ritual window to facilitate special offerings to the idol.
Cultural Festivities and Pilgrim Influx
Beyond the core religious rituals, the trust has organized a series of cultural programmes and devotional musical events that will run until January 2. The significance of the occasion has drawn leaders from across the country, with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu visiting the temple and participating in a ceremony on Sunday.
A substantial surge of pilgrims is already descending upon Ayodhya, a trend accelerated by the closure of most public and private schools for the winter break since December 25. This increased footfall has led to a high demand for entry passes. The trust's online portal has seen passes reserved until January 12, 2025, while the offline quota is fully exhausted until January 2.
Seamless Darshan and Historical Context
The temple trust manages the daily visitor flow through its portal, issuing a regulated number of passes to ensure a smooth and seamless darshan experience for Ram Lalla and the Ram Darbar. The original consecration ceremony of the Ram Lalla idol was held on January 22, 2024. While the first anniversary was observed on January 11 this year, the second anniversary is being celebrated on December 31 in alignment with the appropriate tithi (lunar day).
The decision to keep the temple open during the celebrations underscores the trust's commitment to facilitating worship for the countless devotees, even as Ayodhya transforms into a hub of spiritual and cultural commemorations for this major anniversary.
