Sun Jan 12 00:30:37 UTC 2025: ## Ayodhya Celebrates First Anniversary of Ram Lalla’s Pran Pratishtha
**Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India** – A three-day festival is underway in Ayodhya to mark the first anniversary of the Pran Pratishtha (consecration ceremony) of the Ram Lalla deity at the newly constructed Ram Mandir. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attended the celebrations, offering prayers and participating in the religious rituals.
The celebrations, which began on January 11th, 2025, included a special Abhishek ceremony where the deity was bathed in Panchamrut (a mixture of milk, yogurt, ghee, honey, and sugar) and Ganges water. CM Adityanath addressed devotees throughout the three-day event, emphasizing the significance of the temple and its role in promoting national unity.
The Chief Minister highlighted the long struggle and sacrifices made to build the Ram Mandir, portraying it as a symbol of India’s democratic process. He also noted the significant increase in pilgrimage to Ayodhya since the consecration, with an estimated 1.5 to 2 lakh devotees visiting daily. He expressed satisfaction with the city’s development, including its transformation into a solar city and the addition of modern amenities.
The event featured prominent figures from religious and cultural spheres, including renowned singers Usha Mangeshkar and Mayuresh Pai, who performed bhajans (devotional songs). A six-year-old boy, Mohbbat, from Abohar, Punjab, captivated attendees by running all the way to Ayodhya to participate in the anniversary celebrations. CM Adityanath personally welcomed the child and presented him with gifts.
CM Adityanath emphasized the importance of Ram as a national symbol, urging everyone to strengthen national unity and preserve the glory of Sanātana Dharma to maintain peace and harmony. He highlighted Ayodhya’s transformation with the development of modern infrastructure, including a new international airport, emphasizing its growing global significance.
The Chief Minister also invited devotees to the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh Mela, starting January 13th, emphasizing its religious and cultural significance and its role in promoting national unity. He presented Ram not just as a religious icon, but as a symbol of national unity, peace, and culture, encouraging everyone to embrace his ideals for the nation’s prosperity and integrity.
First Piper 