Why is the pran pratistha at Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir getting delayed?

The pran pratistha for the Ram Durbar to be installed at the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya, originally scheduled for April 30, has been delayed as the idols were not ready.

 

In the durbar, which will be placed on the first floor, Ram will be depicted in his kingly form. While on the ground floor, his child form will be worshipped as a God. 

Also read | Another pran pratistha in Ayodhya: Ceremony to take place in June

The pran pratistha was to take place on Akshay Tritya- the spring festival which is an immensely auspicious day for Hindus.

 

The Ram durbar is being carved by Satyanarayan Pandey- a sculptor from Jaipur, who was one of the three who had carved the idol of the infant Ram. Pandey’s statue of white 'makrana' marble was not chosen.

 

The Ram Durbar is carved out of white marble.

 

Given the delay in the carving, there is no fixed date as yet for when the idols will be installed. It is, however, likely to be between June 3 and 5, provided the idols reach Ayodhya by the end of May.

 

The idols of the Sapt Rishi (seven sages) who are held to have been the guides of humanity through ages are expected to reach Ayodhya this week.

 

Another temple, dedicated to Lakshman is also not ready as originally planned. There is no clarity on whether it will be finished by June. This delay has been caused by changes in design which have been made twice till now. Some 4,000 sq feet of stone is still to be used in this structure.

 

Though the pran pratistha ceremony will be on a smaller scale than that which took place on January 22 last year, all mandatory rituals like Jalavas, Annavas, Aushadhivas, and Shayyavas will be performed. After a pran pratistha, the idols are to be cared for like living beings- with set timings for rest and food.

 

In addition to the steady, ever growing stream of pilgrims who come to the temple, some 2,500 passes have been issued for daily darshan at the temple. These are mostly for local priests and students. These passes are valid for six months at a time.

India