India Observes Half-Day for Ram Temple Celebrations

On January 22, in honor of the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, all central government offices will observe a half-day closure, according to Union Minister Jitendra Singh. This decision, driven by overwhelming sentiments, aims to allow employees to participate in the nationwide celebrations of the Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha in Ayodhya. The order issued to all central government ministries and departments specifies, “To enable employees to participate in the celebrations, it has been decided that all central government offices, central institutions, and central industrial establishments throughout India will be closed for half a day until 1430 hours on 22nd January 2024.” The significant pran-pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Temple is scheduled for 12:30 pm on January 22, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and various dignitaries. Commencing on January 16, a week before the ceremony, specific rituals have been underway at the Ayodhya temple complex. Recognizing the cultural and historical importance of the event, the Bar Council of India has urged Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud to declare a holiday on January 22. Bar Council of India Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra emphasized in the letter that the inauguration of the Shri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya represents the realization of a long-awaited dream and the culmination of pivotal legal proceedings. Prime Minister Modi further marked the occasion by releasing commemorative postage stamps on the Ram Temple, portraying historical moments around its opening. The idol of Lord Ram arrived at the temple complex on the second day of pre-consecration rituals, awaiting installation in the sanctum sanctorum. On the third day of rituals, Thursday, the idol is set to undergo the ‘Jaladhivas’ ritual, with ‘Ganesh Pujan’ and ‘Varun Pujan’ ceremonies scheduled.