Devotees in large numbers continued to arrive in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, for the second day of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir, where the installation of the Ram Darbar is underway.
The three-day ritual, which began on June 3, is scheduled to culminate on June 5, aligning with Ganga Dussehra, an important date in the Hindu calendar.
The ceremonial consecration of idols depicting Lord Ram, Sita, Lakshman, and Hanuman on the temple’s first floor is being conducted with adherence to ancient Vedic practices and traditional rituals.
Mithilesh Nandani Sharan, a spiritual leader involved in the ceremony, emphasized the profound spiritual importance of the event. He noted that, following the formal installation of Shri Ram Lalla in the temple’s sanctum earlier this year, there was great anticipation for the completion of the Ram Darbar.
“With deep devotion and through meticulous Vedic rites, the divine presence of Lord Ram and Sita, accompanied by Lakshman Ji and Hanuman Ji, is being established in the temple,” he said.
Alongside the Ram Darbar, several additional shrines within the complex are also being sanctified. These include idols of revered figures such as Mata Shabari, Nishadraj, various sages, and a statue of Swami Tulsidas Ji Maharaj, further enhancing the temple’s spiritual and cultural depth.
“These consecrations are not only a reflection of religious tradition but also symbolize the awakened spiritual spirit inspired by the Ramayana,” Sharan added.
Security across Ayodhya has been heightened for the duration of the event. The temple zone has been classified as a high-security area, with Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) personnel, armored vehicles, and continuous surveillance teams in place to ensure the safety of both pilgrims and religious leaders.
The celebrations were preceded by a vibrant religious procession along the Saryu River on Monday, drawing significant participation and setting a devotional tone for the rituals to follow.
Following the historic consecration of the idol of Ram Lalla in January 2024, which was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the June 2025 rituals are focused on sanctifying the remaining shrines and structures in the grand temple complex. But these rites go far beyond religious function—they represent a new phase in India’s self-narrative.
What Is Pran Pratishtha?
Pran Pratishtha is a key Hindu ritual that literally means “establishing the life force” in an idol. It is the point at which the murti (idol) is spiritually transformed from an artistic representation into a divine embodiment of the deity. This ritual is performed with detailed Vedic chants, fire offerings (homa), and temple purification rites, making the temple not just a physical space, but a spiritual power center.
What Is “Pran Pratishtha 2.0”?
While the January 2024 event in Ayodhya consecrated the main sanctum (garbhagriha) of the temple housing Ram Lalla, the second phase, underway in June 2025, extends sanctification to:
Eight additional shrines within the complex, dedicated to deities like Sita, Hanuman, Lakshman, Shiva, and others.
Symbolic unification of various Hindu traditions—Vaishnav, Shaiva, Shakta, tribal, and Bhakti sects—reflecting the temple’s pan-Hindu spiritual inclusiveness.
Completion of ritual and architectural purification of the entire temple as per Agama Shastras (Hindu temple-building texts).
