Anti-bomb squads, drones, and snipers across Ayodhya ahead of Ram Temple event

Digital Desk: The spiritual and cultural landscape of Ayodhya is set to undergo a historic transformation as it prepares to host the consecration ceremony of the newly constructed Ram Mandir. 

The temple town is abuzz with anticipation as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to participate in the 'Pran Pratishtha' of the idol of Ram Lalla, the childhood form of Lord Ram.

The ceremony, scheduled to begin at 12:20 pm, will witness the participation of people from diverse backgrounds, including representatives of major spiritual and religious sects, various tribal communities, and prominent personalities. 

The Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir, constructed in the traditional Nagara style, stands as a testament to architectural grandeur with dimensions of 380 feet in length, 250 feet in width, and 161 feet in height. Adorned with 392 pillars and 44 doors, the temple showcases intricately sculpted depictions of Hindu deities, gods, and goddesses.

The consecration rituals, which commenced on January 16 from the Saryu River, will culminate on Monday afternoon in the auspicious 'Abhijeet muhurta.' The centerpiece of the temple, the idol of Ram Lalla, has been carefully placed in the main sanctum sanctorum on the ground floor.

The significance of this event extends beyond Ayodhya's boundaries, with lakhs of people expected to witness the ceremony through TV and online platforms. The central government's decision to declare a half-day off on January 22, followed by several states, adds to the national importance of the occasion. Temples across the country are organizing special festivities, and events are planned globally by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Hindu diaspora groups.

The 'Pran Pratishtha' will see the participation of fourteen couples acting as hosts for the new 51-inch idol of Ram Lalla, sculpted by Mysuru-based Arun Yogiraj. The city is adorned with "rich stocks" of flowers and special lights, creating an atmosphere of religious fervor.

Ayodhya is under a multi-layered security cover for the consecration ceremony, with 10,000 CCTV cameras, drones equipped with artificial intelligence, and police personnel in plain clothes monitoring the situation. Movable barriers with barbed wires regulate traffic, and NDRF teams trained for various emergencies, including chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear attacks, are deployed.

The guest list for the event boasts more than 7,000 invitees, with 506 A-listers making up the select list. Distinguished personalities such as Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan, business magnates Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani, and sporting icon Sachin Tendulkar are among those invited. 

However, almost all opposition leaders have declined their invitations, with the Congress labeling it a "BJP-RSS event."

The consecration ceremony marks a pivotal moment in the construction of the Ram temple, made possible by the historic Supreme Court judgment in 2019 on the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit. 

The Hindu litigants argued that the Babri Mosque was constructed at the site of a temple marking the birthplace of Lord Ram. The ceremony is a symbolic culmination of years of legal battles and socio-political discourse surrounding the disputed site, with the 16th-century mosque being demolished by kar sevaks in 1992.

As Ayodhya readies itself to welcome Lord Ram, the consecration ceremony stands not only as a religious event but also as a cultural milestone, uniting people from various walks of life in the celebration of a shared heritage and faith.