Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha Ceremony Time: With only a few days left for the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha ceremony, scheduled for January 22 in Ayodhya, millions across the country eagerly await the installation of the Ram Lalla idol within the temple premises. The inauguration will be led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with no specific time for the ceremony being disclosed. The consecration is anticipated to take place between 12:15 pm and 12:45 pm.
What is Pran Pratistha ?
Pran Pratistha’s literal meaning is “the establishment of life force,” which imbues vitality into the idol of Ram Lalla, transforming it from a mere form into a deity capable of receiving prayers and bestowing blessings. It’s a sacred union of the divine and the material, bridging the gap between devotees and the object of their adoration.
It is during the Pran Pratishtha ceremony that a murti, a devotional image of a deity, is consecrated in a Hindu idol. Hymns and mantras are recited to invite the deity as a resident guest, and the idol’s eyes are opened for the first time.
What is the significance?
For millions of Hindus, Ram Lalla is more than just a deity; it represents righteousness and hope. The Pran Pratistha holds immense significance for Ayodhya and India, symbolising the triumph of faith, the realisation of a long-awaited dream, and the commencement of a new era for this ancient city.
While the fundamental meaning of Pran Pratishtha is to give life to the idol, the ceremony involves various rituals extracted from the Vedas and Puranas, each carrying its unique significance.
The number of steps in the Pran Pratishtha ceremony depends on its scale, with the process detailed in the Vedas and further elaborated upon in various Puranas such as Mastya Puran, Vaman Puran, Narad Puran, among others.
Also Read:Ayodhya Ram Mandir Inauguration: Date, time and schedule of event | Check all details here
Shobha yatra :
The ritual begins with Shobha Yatra, a procession of the idol through the temple’s neighbourhood, which is scheduled on January 17. During this Yatra, the idol is greeted by onlookers, and their devotion is believed to be transferred to the idol, instilling it with divine strength. This symbolic act marks the initial step in the mystical process of transforming a mere statue into a revered deity.
Pran Pratistha Rituals begin at mandap:
Upon the return of the idol to the mandap, the Pran Pratistha rituals commence. Dr Dipakbhai Jyotishacharya, from Parashar Jyotishalaya in Gujarat’s Vapi, told The Indian Express that Pran Pratistha can be conducted for both movable household idols (chalit moorti) and fixed temple idols (sthir moorti).
Dr Sunder Narayan Jha, a professor at the Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit University, explained that during the chanting of mantras for Pran Pratistha, the prayer encompasses both the awakening of the idol and its preparedness to relinquish life if damaged. This precaution ensures the smooth transition of life from the damaged idol to a new one if necessary.
Adhivas:
Preparing the idol for Pran Pratistha involves a series of adhivas, submerging the idol in various materials, including water (jalãdhivãs) and grain (dhãnyãdhivãs). These adhivas’ serve the dual purpose of healing injuries sustained during crafting and identifying defects or low-quality materials.
Ritual bath and abhishek:
Post-adhivas, the idol undergoes a ritual bath, and its ‘abhishek’ is performed using various materials, such as panchamrut, fragrant flower essence, water from cow horns, and sugar cane juice, depending on the ceremony’s scale.
Netronmeelan – The opening of the deity’s eyes:
Netronmeelan is the most significant part of the ceremony, where chants invoke various gods to animate different parts of the idol. The first step is the opening of the deity’s eyes. This involves applying anjan, akin to kohl, around the eyes with a gold needle. The process is carried out from behind, as it is believed that looking directly into God’s eyes as they open may be overwhelming.