Sat Jan 11 22:49:57 UTC 2025: **Shimla Ram Mandir Marks Ayodhya Temple Anniversary with Celebrations**
SHIMLA, INDIA – January 12, 2025 – The Shimla Ram Mandir celebrated the first anniversary of the Ayodhya Ram Temple’s consecration ceremony with a day of prayer and festivities on January 11th. The event, organized by the Shimla Temple Committee, included prayers, recitations of the Sundarkand and Ramcharitmanas, and drew devotees from across the region, including Jodhpur and Jaipur.
Rajiv Sood, head of the Shimla Ram Mandir Committee, announced plans to erect a large statue of Lord Ram, aiming to transform Shimla into a significant spiritual tourism hub. The committee also intends to install a grand statue of Lord Ram alongside the existing Hanuman idol, further enhancing the temple’s appeal. Priest Sukhdev Shastri emphasized the renewed devotion brought by the temple’s revival after years of closure.
The celebrations in Shimla mirrored nationwide commemorations, including a visit by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to the Ayodhya Ram Temple, where he offered prayers. The Prime Minister also extended his wishes, highlighting the temple’s cultural and spiritual significance. While the actual consecration took place on January 22nd, 2024, the anniversary was observed on January 11th, 2025, in accordance with the Hindu calendar.
First Piper 