Ayodhya Ram Mandir Inauguration: Top developments on January 21, 2024

Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth is attending a event in the country to mark inauguration of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, slated to happen tomorrow.

"It's a golden opportunity to be here in the holiest city (Ayodhya) for the Lord Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha ceremony. I am deeply honoured and excited about it," says singer Lata Mangeshkar's nephew, Aadinath Mangeshkar.

Prior to the grand consecration ceremony of the Ram Mandir, the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) of ISRO has unveiled the first visuals of the majestic structure, captured by indigenous satellites in space. The images shared by NRSC offer an enhanced perspective of the under-construction Ram Mandir.

Security measures have been intensified in Ayodhya in anticipation of the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony. ATS commandos are stationed at Lata Mangeshkar Chowk to avert any potential untoward incidents.

In the midst of a significant controversy, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi has changed its stance, deciding not to suspend non-critical services until 2.30 pm on Monday (Jan 22), citing the grand consecration event at the Ayodhya Ram Temple.

From decorating streets to giving discounts to customers, the markets in Delhi are gearing up for the Ram Temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the Tamil Nadu government led by Chief Minister MK Stalin has banned the live telecast of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Temple to be held in Ayodhya

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reacted to the decision by Tamil Nadu government  "Tamil Nadu govt has banned watching live telecast of Ayodhya Ram Temple programmes of 22 Jan 24. In TN there are over 200 temples for Shri Ram. In HR&CE managed temples no puja/bhajan/prasadam/annadanam in the name of Shri Ram is allowed. Police are stopping privately held temples also from organising events. They are threatening organisers that they will rip off pandals. Strongly condemn this anti-Hindu, hateful action..."

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited southern India's Arichalmunai in Tamil Nadu state as part of his visits to the Ramayana-era places with devotional significance ahead of the Ram Temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya on Jan 22. After paying floral tribute at the seashore believed to be the starting point of ancient Ram Setu — also known as Adam's bridge — Modi also offered prayers at Kothandaramaswamy Temple. 

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"Jai Shree Ram...I want to congratulate everyone in India including (Indian Prime Minister) PM (Narendra) Modi for his leadership that has made this construction (Ram Temple) possible after 500 years, ready to last another 1000 years," said New Zealand Minister for Regulation, David Seymour ahead of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony. 

He added, "I wish PM Modi courage and wisdom as he helps over a billion people in India navigate the challenges of the world today. I hope that he will have strength and faith. I'd be delighted to visit the Ram Temple..."

"Tomorrow is a very auspicious day for Ayodhya. The authorities and people of Ayodhya are very well prepared to ensure all the necessary arrangements are made on this day," said Mayor Girish Pati Tripathi speaking about the preparations for tomorrow's Ram Mandir pran pratishtha ceremony. 

"It will be a dry day in Assam tomorrow. Meanwhile, no restaurants will be allowed to serve non-veg food up to 2 pm, while meat or fish shops cannot open before 4 pm," said Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. 

He added, "However, after 4 pm, they can do their business." 

Several Indian states like Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan have also announced a dry day on January 22 amid the consecration ceremony of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

"Today is the day before Pran Pratistha and is very important for all of us. All the arrangements have to be seen...it has to be ensured in such a way that all the assurances given to the nation may be fulfilled. We will start our work from 23rd January with new enthusiasm and a new commitment so that the entire temple can be built in 2024. Seven more temples are to be built in the temple premises. Construction work will be started after Pran Pratishtha ceremony..." Ayodhya Ram Temple Construction Committee Chairman, Nripendra Mishra told news agency ANI. 

The Modi government on Saturday (Jan 20) issued an advisory to all the social media platforms and media outlets cautioning them against putting out false content related to the temple's consecration ceremony.

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Haji Arfat Shaikh, the head of the development committee of the Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation (IICF) that is overseeing the mosque project in Ayodhya, has said that the construction of the mosque will start in May.