The historic city of Ayodhya, revered as the birthplace of Lord Ram and home to numerous temples, is expected to host millions of pilgrims in 2024. Sensing the need for efficient lighting solutions, Signify and UPNEDA joined hands to install state-of-the-art solar-powered streetlights across the city. The project’s scale and efficiency are unprecedented, setting a global benchmark for similar endeavors. The Philips UrbanSpark streetlights, equipped with solar vertical integrated pole solutions and Lithium-ion batteries, boast a robust design and offer excellent performance in terms of illumination and durability. Each streetlight unit consists of a 6-meter pole, a 400Wp solar panel, a 100Ah LiFePO4 battery, and a 44-watt solar streetlight.

Sumit Joshi, CEO of Signify Greater India, expressed pride in the company’s role in illuminating Ayodhya with cutting-edge smart solar lighting solutions, solidifying Signify’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and creating vibrant urban environments. The Ayodhya Solar City Lighting Project presents an aesthetic upgrade to the cityscape while simultaneously addressing the pressing need for sustainable lighting solutions. Signify’s achievement highlights its industry leadership and dedication to pushing the boundaries of innovation and sustainable urban development.

As part of this momentous project, significant locations in Ayodhya have been brightly lit using Signify’s advanced lighting solutions. Prominent areas that have received illumination include Ram Katha Park, Bati Baba, Siya Ram Park, Guptar Ghat, Jamthara Ghat, Gonda Pul, Maharana Pratap Park, Meri Mata Mandir, Ram Paudi, Laxman Fort, Surya Kund, Ayodhya Airport, and Sultanpur Road. Ayodhya’s transformation into a radiant showcase of solar innovation not only enhances the city’s aesthetics but also sets new standards for sustainable urban development across the nation.

The Ayodhya Solar City Lighting Project stands as a living testimony to the power of public-private partnerships in driving positive change. Through this venture, Signify and UPNEDA have successfully showcased how solar lighting can redefine urban landscapes, providing residents and visitors with enhanced safety, illumination, and environmental sustainability. With the world watching, Ayodhya takes its place as a shining example of how solar innovation can shape the cities of tomorrow.

PM Modi, who is seeking re-election in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections, hopes that the inauguration of the Ayodhya Ram temple will contribute to his bid for a third consecutive term. The BJP aims to make political gains in Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state with 80 Lok Sabha seats.

The grand ceremony, attended by around 7,500 people, saw PM Modi lead the inauguration rituals and Hindu priests sing hymns inside the inner sanctum of the temple. The event was turned into a national occasion, which included live screenings across the country and closure of offices for half a day.

PM Modi’s unprecedented mix of religion and politics was evident in his prelude to the temple opening, where he visited multiple Ram temples for 11 days as part of a Hindu ritual. The ceremony is considered by political analysts as the beginning of Modi’s election campaign, emphasizing the blurred line between religion and state under his leadership.

Amid this farce, the BJP is reportedly exploring various strategies, including bringing in leaders from other parties, to achieve the ambitious target of winning 400 out of 543 Lok Sabha seats in the upcoming elections. The move aims to exploit the grandeur of the Ayodhya Ram temple to appeal to the religious sentiments of the majority Hindu population.

As the political landscape evolves in the wake of the temple inauguration, critics accuse Modi of rushing into the launch for electoral gains, setting the stage for a dynamic and closely watched election campaign.

Upon the completion of the consecration ceremony, Prime Minister Modi paid homage to the idol of Jatayu by showering it with floral offerings at the Ram Temple precincts. Additionally, he visited the Kuber Tila situated within the Ayodhya Ram Mandir complex, where he performed worship rituals to Lord Shiva. Engaging in a ‘jalabhishek’ ritual, which involves the sacred pouring of water over the ‘Shiva linga,’ the Prime Minister further embarked on a ‘parikrama,’ symbolizing the act of circumambulation around the temple. The ancient Shiv temple, positioned on the Kuber Tila at the Ram Janmabhoomi complex, is currently undergoing restoration efforts spearheaded by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, responsible for the establishment of the Ram Mandir.

Subsequent to the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ of the Ram Temple, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gracefully showered flower petals on the dedicated workers who constituted the construction crew of the grand temple in Ayodhya. Addressing the sizable gathering, he emphatically emphasized that “Ram is not the dispute, Ram is the solution.”
“Ram is not fire but rather embodies boundless energy. Ram is not a subject of contention, but rather provides the resolution. Ram does not belong solely to a select few, but rather belongs to every individual. Ram is not confined to the present; Ram is eternal,” expressed Prime Minister Modi. He also expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Supreme Court for ensuring justice, enabling the realization of the temple construction.

The significant event unfolded in the presence of approximately 7,000 esteemed guests.

The construction of the Ram temple began after the Supreme Court settled a longstanding dispute over the site back in November 2019, which paved the way for the construction to commence. The vision for this temple can be traced back thirty-three years when Lal Krishna Advani, a notable figure in the Bharatiya Janata Party, embarked on a significant journey known as the rath yatra, traveling from Somnath in Gujarat with the purpose of building a temple dedicated to Lord Ram, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu. Accompanying Advani during this endeavor was Narendra Modi, who is now serving as the Prime Minister of India.

In an article entitled ‘Ram Mandir Nirman, Ek Divya Swapna Ki Purti’, set to be published in a special edition of Rashtradharma, a renowned Hindi literature magazine with a 76-year-old legacy, Advani expressed his belief that when Narendra Modi performs the consecration of Lord Ram’s idol at the temple, he will symbolically represent the entire Indian citizenry. Advani also expressed his prayer that the construction of this temple will serve as an inspiration for all Indians to embrace the virtuous qualities embodied by Lord Ram.

It is noteworthy that Prime Minister Modi played a pivotal role in the organization of the rath yatra back in 1990 when he served as the general secretary of the Gujarat BJP. Thirty years later, in 2020, he participated in the ‘bhoomi pujan’ ceremony, which marked the laying of the temple’s foundation. In preparation for the upcoming ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony, Prime Minister Modi announced last Friday his intention to undertake an eleven-day ‘anushthan’, a special ritual associated with this sacred occasion.

Over the course of the next seven days, the consecration ceremonies will incorporate elaborate rituals steeped in the traditions of Hinduism, leading up to the main ceremony. On January 16, the designated host appointed by the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra will oversee the atonement ceremony. As mentioned earlier, the ‘Dashvidh’ bath, a ceremonial cleansing, will take place on the banks of the Saryu River, accompanied by the observance of Prayaschita and Karmakuti Poojan rituals.

On January 17, the auspicious occasion of Parisar Pravesh will be celebrated as the Ram Lalla idol is brought into its designated place within the temple. The following day, January 18, will witness the performance of rituals such as Teerth Poojan (offering sacred water), Jal Yatra (procession with holy water), and Gandhadhivas (waving of fragrant incense).

The morning of January 19 will witness the rituals of Aushadhadhivas (offering of herbs), Kesaradhivas (smearing with saffron), and Ghritadhivas (anointing with ghee). In the evening, the Dhanyadhivas ritual, which involves the offering of grains, will take place.

On January 20, the morning will see the observance of the Sharkaradhivas (offering of sugar) and Phaladhivas (offering of fruits) rituals. In the evening, the Pushpadhivas (offering of flowers) will be conducted.

Finally, on January 21, the Madhyadhivas ritual will occur in the morning, followed by the Shaiyadhivas ritual, which involves placing Lord Ram in a reclining position, in the evening.

These seven days of consecration rituals within the Ram temple symbolize a momentous occasion for Ayodhya, bringing together reverence, faith, and cultural significance. The consecration ceremony serves as a testament to the devotion and aspirations of millions of people, and it marks a significant milestone in the history and spiritual heritage of India.

Here are the list of events and rituals that will take place between January 16 and January 22 as part of the consecration ceremony of Lord Ram Temple at Ayodhya.

January 16 : The host appointed by the Temple trust will conduct the atonement ceremony. ‘Dashvidh’ bath will happen on the banks of river Saryu. The rituals would include Vishnu worship and Godan.

January 17: The idol of Lord Ram in his child-like form (Ram Lalla) will be taken in a procession, with devotees carrying Saryu water in Mangal Kalash.

January 18: Rituals including Ganesh Ambika Puja, Varun Puja, Matrika Puja, Brahmin Varan, Vastu Puja etc. will take place

January 19: Agni Sthapana, Navagraha Sthapana and Havan will be done.

January 20: The sanctum sanctorum of the Ram Temple will be washed with the holy water of Saryu followed by rituals including Vaastu Shanti and Annadhivas.

January 21: The deity of Ram Lalla will get a divine bath with 125 urns. The ritual of Shayadhivas will also happen.

January 22: Worship of the deity of Ram Lalla will be done in morning and it will consecrated in Mrigashira Nakshatra in the afternoon.

Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, Mukesh Ambani, Ratan Tata, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Sonia Gandhi, and Manmohan Singh have received invitations for the ceremony on January 22.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former party chief Sonia Gandhi, and the leader of the party in the Lok Sabha, Adhir Chowdhury, have been invited to the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22. The Congress expressed gratitude to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust for extending the invitation but remained tight-lipped about whether the party’s top leaders would participate.

According to sources, senior Congress leaders may not attend the ceremony. Congress general secretary KC Venugopal confirmed that the party leaders received invitations but refrained from making any definitive statements.

During a press conference, Venugopal acknowledged the invitation, stating, “They have invited us, and we are sincerely thankful. Let us wait and see.” When asked about the party’s attendance, Venugopal remarked, “You will learn about the party’s stance. On January 22, you will know who will be attending.”

Individual invitations were sent to Kharge, Gandhi, and Chowdhury, with reports suggesting that the Ram Temple construction delegation, including Nripendra Mishra, extended the invitations to Gandhi and Kharge.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to be present for the installation of the idol of Ram Lalla at the grand temple. Following the consecration ceremony, Mandal Puja will span 48 days starting from January 24, and public darshan of Ram Lalla will commence on January 23.

Former president Pratibha Patil, former prime ministers Manmohan Singh and HD Deve Gowda, and heads of various political parties have also been invited. However, chief ministers and governors are not part of the invitee list.

Several prominent religious and constitutional institutions, including heads of major temples like Kashi Vishwanath and Vaishno Devi, along with spiritual leader Dalai Lama, Mata Amritanandamayi, yoga guru Baba Ramdev, and actors Rajnikanth, Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit, Arun Govil, film director Madhur Bhandarkar, and industrialists Mukesh Ambani, Anil Ambani, renowned painter Vasudev Kamat, and ISRO Director Nilesh Desai, are among those to be invited.

Overall, while the invitations have been acknowledged, the Congress Party’s attendance at the Ayodhya Ram Temple consecration ceremony remains uncertain, and clarity on their participation is expected on January 22.

Prominent opposition leaders have been cordially invited to attend the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple, slated to take place on January 22 in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. The invitations were extended by the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra to notable figures such as Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh from the Congress party, Mallikarjun Kharge, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, and JD(S) supremo Devegowda.

However, it has been reported that the Congress leaders are unlikely to attend the event. The VHP’s Working President, Alok Kumar, mentioned that the invitations were sent out, and further invitations to opposition leaders are expected to be dispatched in the upcoming days.

The preparations for the grand ceremony, set to be graced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, are in full swing. The entire event is anticipated to conclude by January 15, with the praan pratistha puja scheduled from January 16 to January 22.

A special procession showcasing tableaux depicting significant events from Lord Rama’s life, accompanied by 100 idols of the deity, will be conducted in Ayodhya on January 17 to mark the commencement of the week-long celebration leading up to the consecration ceremony. Statue and picture displays will portray key moments such as Lord Rama’s birth, exile, the victory over Lanka, and his return to Ayodhya.

Besides the temple festivities, efforts are underway to complete the redevelopment of Ayodhya railway station by January 15. As per sources, a section of the station building, including enhanced areas for pilgrims coupled with installations and artwork relating to Lord Rama, will be prepared to accommodate the expected surge of visitors to Ayodhya during the inauguration and subsequent period.

All arrangements are being made to ensure the successful and momentous consecration of the Ram Temple, a significant milestone in Ayodhya’s rich cultural and religious heritage.