Uttarakhand

• 10 Jan 2024

Uttarayani Festival on Ram Temple Theme

Why in News?

Recently, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami directed to celebrate the Uttarayani festival and fair, observed on Makar Sankranti every year in the state's Kumaon region, with the theme of the Ram Temple consecration ceremony.

Key Points

• The chief minister urged the people to perform Deepotsav in their homes and organize Kalash Yatras and Ram Katha.
• He also emphasized on organizing a campaign to clean the ghats of major rivers.
• Essay and painting competitions should be organized in schools on the ideals of Lord Ram.

Ram Temple Consecration Ceremony

• Preparations for the ‘pran-pratishtha’ ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya on January 22 includes:
  • Idols of elephants, lions, Lord Hanuman and Garuda, 'vahana' of Lord Vishnu, have been installed at the entrance gate of the Ram Temple.
  • Invitation cards for the consecration ceremony have been sent out to guests including VVIPs, priests, donors and several politicians.
• According to Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirath Kshetra Trust, the committee overseeing the construction of the temple:
  • The Ram Mandir, constructed in the traditional Nagara style, is a three-storied shrine, measuring 380 feet in length (east-west direction), 250 feet in width, and 161 feet in height.
  • It has a total of 392 pillars and 44 doors. It features five Mandaps (halls) -- Nritya Mandap, Rang Mandap, Sabha Mandap, Prarthna and Kirtan Mandaps.