President Droupadi Murmu led the installation of the Shri Ram Yantra at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya, marking the beginning of the Hindu New Year and Chaitra Navratri with a high-profile religious ceremony that drew national attention.
The ritual, conducted during an auspicious midday muhurat, unfolded amid Vedic chants and traditional rites led by temple priests. The Shri Ram Yantra, regarded by temple authorities as spiritually significant, was placed within the temple complex following established religious procedures, forming the centrepiece of the day’s ceremonies.
Murmu offered prayers before the idol of Ram Lalla and performed aarti inside the temple, joining a limited group of dignitaries and religious figures. Entry into the inner sanctum was tightly regulated, with access restricted to authorised individuals to preserve the sanctity of the ritual and maintain security protocols.
City Prepares for High-Profile Visit
Ayodhya underwent extensive preparations ahead of the President’s arrival, with key routes leading to the temple transformed into ceremonial corridors. Cultural performances, devotional music and traditional displays were organised across the city, creating a layered welcome that reflected both religious devotion and local artistic traditions.
Security arrangements were intensified across the temple zone, with multi-layered deployment, controlled entry points and strict regulation of movement within the complex. Authorities enforced a structured access system, ensuring that only accredited guests were permitted into designated areas during the ceremony.
Senior state officials, members of the temple trust and prominent spiritual leaders were present, underscoring the scale of the occasion. The event was organised under the supervision of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which continues to oversee religious and administrative functions at the site following its consecration in January 2024.
Ritual Sets Tone for Navratri Celebrations
The ceremony coincided with the onset of Navratri, a period of heightened religious activity that draws large numbers of devotees to Ayodhya each year. The President’s participation placed the opening day of the festival in sharp national focus, even as the proceedings retained a distinctly devotional character within the temple.
With celebrations set to continue over the coming days, the temple is expected to witness a steady influx of pilgrims. The President’s visit, positioned at the start of the festive cycle, sets a measured but significant tone for the days ahead, reinforcing Ayodhya’s growing prominence in the country’s religious calendar.
