United States: In a vibrant celebration of the upcoming revival ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, New York’s Times Square of Indian expatriates decorated the landmark site with statues of Lord Rama. Dressed in traditional Indian costumes, and the community gathered to sing Sri Rama Bhajan to showcase their cultural heritage and the vibrant spirit of their country. Saffron banners with images of Sri Rama fluttered in the breeze, creating a spectacular surprise that touched the course of the grand event
Meanwhile, in Worcester, Massachusetts, Mayor Joe Petty greeted the Hindu community for the Prana Pratishtha ceremony. Acknowledging the importance of the 75th Republic Day of India, he issued a proclamation to encourage residents to participate in the celebrations.
The President congratulated American Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Asian-Americans on the opening of the Sri Ram Temple, stressing the values of democracy, diversity and harmony that bind the American and Indian communities. The Indian Embassy in the UK hosted a similarly spirited celebration in Times Square, highlighting India’s cultural richness and unity with lively bhajans and songs from colonial origin.
The Pran Pratishtha ceremony held in Ayodhya is scheduled to see the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other distinguished guests. The event will feature a spectacular musical program called ‘Mangal Dhwani’, which will showcase the songs of renowned musicians.
In preparation for this historic occasion, Lucknow and cities across India underwent a visual transformation with posters, banners, lamps and murals of Lord Ram. The central government announced a half-day shutdown of all its offices on January 22.
The Uttar Pradesh Police has deployed over 13,000 security personnel to ensure the safe conduct of the cathedral function. It is noteworthy that on January 18, the idol of Sri Ram Lalla by sculptor Arun Yogiraj found its place in the temple sanctuary. Vedic rituals for the Pran Pratishtha ceremony began on January 16, a week before the main event. Special guests from various fields including cricket, cinema, saints society, politics, arts, literature and culture have been invited to participate in the ceremony, adding to the grandeur of this auspicious occasion.
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