Ayodhya Ram Mandir Inauguration Highlights: Uddhav Thackeray receives invitation for 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony

Ayodhya Ram Mandir ceremony: The state and central governments, along with several other institutions, have made a slew of announcements, informing people about the closures and operation timings of public places and government offices on January 22.

The nation is all set to witness the grand consecration ceremony or "pran pratishtha" of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on Monday, January 22. As the preparations to celebrate the "historic" day are underway across the country, here's a quick recap of what's open and what's closed on the day of the Ram temple ceremony. Read here.

Nagpur: School students dance on Shri Ram bhajans ahead of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple Pran Pratishtha ceremony.

On the Ayodhya Ram Temple 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony, Shankaracharya Swami Sadanand Saraswati says, " ...It is happening after consistent efforts over time. After around 400-500 years, this moment has come, big fights were fought, and war happened..."

N Nagabhushanam Reddy of Sri Ram Catering Services, who prepared these laddoos says, "...God has blessed my business and my family. I had pledged to prepare 1kg laddoo for each day till I am alive... I have brought a food certificate as well. These laddoos can last one month. 25 men prepared the laddoos for 3 days..."

Ayodhya Ram Mandir: The seven-day religious rituals for the Ayodhya Ram Temple 'Pran Pratistha' ceremony began on 16 January and will continue till 21 January. On Wednesday night, the idol of Ram Lalla was brought inside the sanctum sanctorum of the Ram temple, Shri Ram Mandir Construction Committee chairperson Nripendra Mishra had said. Read here.

Ayodhya Ram Temple news: The face of the Ram Lalla's idol at the Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi temple was revealed on Friday. The picture, reportedly released by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), shows Ram Lalla in a standing posture, holding a golden bow and arrow. The first image of the Ram Lalla idol became public just three days before the 'pran pratishtha' ceremony on January 22.

Another picture was released earlier in the day, wherein the statue carved in black stone could be seen with its eyes covered with a yellow cloth. It's adorned with a garland of roses, Sharad Sharma, an office-bearer of the VHP told PTI. Read here.

Hailed as the world?s largest, a 300-foot ?diya? (earthen lamp) being lit in Ayodhya. This comes ahead of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at the Ram Temple to be held on January 22.

Ayodhya is decked up in colourful lights ahead of the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha ceremony on January 22.

Amazon India has received a notice from the consumer protection authority for selling sweets on its platform in the name of RRam Temple Ayodhya's 'Prasad'.

The products highlighted are Raghupati Ghee Ladoo, Khoya Khobi Ladoo, Ghee Bundi Ladoo, Desi Cow Milk Peda. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), headed by Chief Commissioner Rohit Kumar Singh, has initiated action against Amazon Seller Services.

The authority said it has been observed that various sweets/food products are available for sale on the Amazon e-commerce platform, claiming it to be "Shri Ram Mandir Ayodhya Prasad". Read here.

Ayodhya: Devotees chant Ram Dhun at Saryu Ghat.

The Jamia Millia Islamia and its schools along with Delhi University will remain closed for half day till 2.30 pm on January 22 on account of the Ram temple consecration in Ayodhya.

According to official notifications released by these universities on Friday, the varsities and the institutions, centres and offices under them shall observe half-day on Monday.

However, all pre-scheduled examinations and meetings in Jamia will be held as usual. (PTI)

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) prepared 1 lakh laddu for the Ayodhya Ram Temple ?Pran Pratishtha? ceremony.

Leading multiplex chain PVR INOX on Friday announced that it will be hosting the live broadcast of the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, in its theatres.

The temple spread over 70 acres will be open to the public after the consecration of the Ram Lalla idol on January 22.

The theatre chain will broadcast the ceremony live in partnership with news channel Aaj Tak in over 160 cinemas in more than 70 cities across India, the company said in a statement. (PTI)

From Lord Ram image-adorned bangles to 56 varieties of 'petha' and from traditional items like a 500-kg iron-copper ?nagada? and the ?Onavillu? bow to offerings of rice, ladoos and vegetables, a diverse array of gifts are flooding in from across the country as Ayodhya prepares for the consecration ceremony.

Also featured in the list of gifts for the January 22 event are special perfumes from Kannauj, 500 kg ?kumkum? leaves from Amravati, grains collected at a Ram temple in Delhi, flowers from Bhopal and papers with 'Lord Ram' written 4.31 crore times from Madhya Pradesh?s Chhindwara.

The Ram temple management committee has received other offerings such as a 108-foot incense stick, a 2,100-kg bell, a giant lamp weighing 1,100 kg, gold footwear, a 10-foot-high lock and key and a clock that simultaneously denotes time in eight countries, among others. (PTI)

Ahead of the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha in Ayodhya, Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Friday accused the BJP of politicising the ceremony.

"I feel BJP has politicised it ('pranpratishtha' ceremony of Ram Temple in Ayodhya) without a reason. Ram Lalla belongs to everyone but BJP is trying to make monopoly," said Pilot while talking to reporters on Friday.

Further attacking the ruling BJP, in Rajasthan Pilot said, "I do not think that the BJP government will be able to fulfil the promises that it has made. 10 years of the Modi government at the Center, but still the promise of providing employment to two crore youth is unfulfilled."

Ahead of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Temple on January 22, one of the world's most expensive Ramayana has reached the Ayodhya and is worth one lakh and sixty-five thousand rupees.

Manoj Sati, a bookseller who reached Ayodhya with the Ramayana to attend the Ram Temple event, told ANI, "We have reached here with our beautiful Ramayana here in the tent city of Ayodhya. It has so many qualities and is the world's most expensive Ramayana."

"You can say the most beautiful Ramayana is in Ayodhya. Its worth is ?1.65 lakh," he added.

"The design of the outer box, the paper, and everything that makes it...It has a three-floor box, like the Ram Mandir being built with three floors. So it has also been designed similarly. There is a stand on the top floor to read the book," he added. (ANI)

Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued a notice to Amazon for selling sweets under the name 'Shri Ram Mandir Ayodhya Prasad.'

The CCPA has sought a response from Amazon within seven days from the issuance of notice, failing which necessary action will be initiated against them under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, an official statement said.

Headed by Chief Commissioner Rohit Kumar Singh, the CCPA has "initiated action against Amazon Seller Services Pvt Ltd, concerning the sale of sweets on www.amazon.in under the name 'Shri Ram Mandir Ayodhya Prasad." (PTI)