Ayodhya Ram Mandir inauguration: Full schedule of temple ‘pran pratishtha’ ceremony today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to participate in the much-anticipated Ram Mandir consecration, or pran pratishtha, ceremony to be held in the temple town of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh on Monday, January 22 - in a virtual beginning to his re-election campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Tens of thousands of devotees waving flags, honking horns and beating drums have gathered in Ayodhya, with roads clogged, trains packed full and the scores marching in on foot.

The 50-metre tall house of worship for Lord Ram Lalla was built on grounds where Babri Masjid stood for centuries before it was torn down in 1992 by karsevaks led by then Bharatiya Janata Party president Lal Krishna Advani.

Full coverage: Ayodhya Ram Mandir opening ceremony

Nearly 7,000 invitees, including politicians, industrialists, celebrities and sportspersons, are expected to attend the pran-pratishtha ceremony, which is expected to begin around 12.20pm.

Here is the full schedule of events planned for January 22:

At 10:25am, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in Ayodhya. From the Ayodhya airport, Modi will take a helicopter to the venue.

At 10:55am, Modi will reach the Ram temple premises.

Between 11am and 12pm, the prime minister might take a tour of the Ram Mandir premises.

Between 12:05pm and 1pm, the pran pratishtha ceremony will begin with Modi presiding over the rituals.

Around 1pm, Modi will depart the temple premises to address a public meeting of around 7,000.

At 2:10pm, Modi will visit Kuber ka Tila, where the ancient temple of Bhagwan Shiv has been restored.

Key Features of Ram temple in Ayodhya

• The Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir, commonly known as Ram temple, has been constructed in the traditional Nagara style. Its length (east-west) is 380 feet; width 250 feet and height 161 feet. It is supported by a total of 392 pillars and has 44 doors.
• The pillars and walls of the temple showcase intricately sculpted depictions of Hindu deities, gods and goddesses. In the main sanctum sanctorum at the Ram temple's ground floor, the idol of Ram Lalla has been placed.
• Fourteen couples from various parts of the country will be the 'yajmaans' (hosts) for the 'pran pratishtha' of the new 51-inch idol of Ram Lalla. The idol was sculpted by Mysuru resident Arun Yogiraj and was placed in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple on Thursday.
• The Ram mandir has been decorated with "rich stocks" of flowers and special lights.

Rituals began on January 16

• The consecration rituals for the 'pran Pratishtha' began from the Saryu river on January 16 and will be completed on Monday afternoon in the 'abhijeet muhurta', according to the temple trust.
• Lakhs of people are expected to watch the event live on TV and online platforms as the central government has announced a half-day holiday and many states following suit.
• Temples across the country have announced special festivities on the occasion.