US to Australia: How world is celebrating Ram Temple opening
NEW DELHI: As India prepares to celebrate the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22, devotees across the world are planning their own events to mark the historic occasion.
Besides live streaming the ceremony at hundreds of locations across dozens of countries, many Hindu communities have planned car rallies and other pujas.
Mauritius
Around 48% of the population in Mauritius is Hindu.The Mauratian government has given a two-hour special break to Hindu officials on January 22.
High Commissioner of Mauritius to India Haymandoyal Dillum told ANI Mauritians are gearing up to illuminate all the temples of the island nation with ‘diyas’ (earthen lamps). Verses from the Ramayan will echo through temple corridors with ‘Ramayan Path’.
“In all the temples, one ‘diya’ will be lit, and ‘Ramayan Path’ will be recited during that day,” said Dillum.
Ghoorbin Bhojraj, president of Mauritius Sanatan Dharma Temples Federation, said a cultural programme would precede the Ayodhya Ram Mandir’s inauguration and prime minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth would be the chief guest.
United States
On the day of consecration, the event will be broadcast live in the United States at approximately 300 locations, including the iconic Times Square in New York.
The US chapter of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), has erected over 40 billboards in 10 states, including Texas, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, and Georgia.
Week-long celebrations are underway in temples ahead of the consecration event and several large-scale auto rallies have been held in dozens of US cities.
United Kingdom
The Hindu community in the UK has organised several car rallies in the run up to the consecration ceremony.
The rally started from The City Pavillion on Collier Road in West London and travelled through East London before returning to the starting point.
Besides planned celebrations in all temples, over 100 locations have been prepared for livestreaming the event.
France
In France, preparations are underway for a Grand Rath Yatra.
The yatra is scheduled to commence from Place De La Chapelle at 12pm, culminating at the iconic Eiffel Tower’s location, Place De Trocadero, by 3pm.
Before the yatra, prayers and ‘Vishwa Kalyan Yagna’ will be performed at a Ganesha temple in La Chapelle. The ceremony will include an elaborate puja, aarti, prasad distribution, and a cultural show.
The yatra will traverse significant landmarks such as the Arc de Triomphe, the Musée de Louver and Place De La Republique.
Australia
Several car rallies have been taken out by the Hindu community in major cities in Australia in the run up to the Pran Pratishtha event in Ayodhya.
Celebrations have also been planned at all temples in Australia and the even will be livestreamed at several dozen locations.
Canada
The Hindu community in Canada has organised locations across the country for the live streaming of the consecration event.
Meanwhile, the towns of Oakville and Brampton in Canada’s Ontario declared January 22 as ‘Ayodhya Ram Mandir Day’.
Brampton mayor Patrick Brown and his Oakville counterpart Rob Burton said the consecration “holds immense cultural, religious, and historical significance for Hindus worldwide, signifying the culmination of a centuries-old dream”.
India gets ready for big day
On January 22, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will preside over the consecration ceremony of the grand Ram temple in Ayodhya.
The event’s preparations are nearly complete with only final touches left, said officials.
The Vedic rituals, which began on January 16, will be completed by Monday and the Pran Pratishtha ceremony will be performed by Varanasi priest Lakshmi Kant Dixit on January 22.
(With inputs from agencies)
