Ayodhya/Shimla: With the world as its audience, Lord Hanuman, embodied through  drones, gracefully soared above Ayodhya's skies, triggering a poignant 2000-year journey through history.

 This celestial prelude sets the stage for Ayodhya's defining moment—the Pran Pratishtha ceremony on January 22, 2024, at 12:20 PM, at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra.

An epochal chapter in Ayodhya's saga is about to be etched in time.

Under gaze of ISRO and NASA satellites,  a 51-inch idol of Shri Ram chiseled by India's top sculptor Arun Yogiraj from Karnataka,    out from the Krishan Shila black stone has been placed in the Garbh Grih of the Ran Mandir at Ayodhya. The Ram Mandir complex  is designed by Chandrakant Sompura,81, and his son Ashish,51 in Nagar style of architecture. The cost of the Ram Mandir complex is estimated to be Rs 1800 Crore. 

It is a global sangam of Hindu faith, Sanatan Dharm, technology of 21st century  that will fulfill the "religious and ritualistic void" of countless Ram Bhakt in Bharat and from across the world after nearly over 500 years.  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to preside over Pran Pratishtha for which he has performed a series of  holy Hindu rituals in Rameshwaram, Ram Setu in Tamil Nadu during his two days tour of the state.

It took just four years and two months after the Supreme Court judgement to build the grand Jai Sri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.  

Though all the three-phased construction of the Ayodhya Tirth has yet not complete, but the Garbh Grih of the main Mandir is complete for the grand ceremony with lakhs of devotees heading for revamped Ayodhya for the Darshan.

The Mandir has been built on the site where the historic Babri Masjid once stood. It holds immense significance for Hindus following a Supreme Court verdict on November 9, 2019 granting the 2.77 Acre land to them for the construction of the Sri Ram temple.

The government has not contributed any funds for the construction of the Ram Temple!

Who is facing challenges with this Ram Mandir Teerth project?

Over  180 million people have collectively contributed 32 billion rupees till January 20  towards this religious endeavor, informed Panchjanya, a mouth piece of RSS.

Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Pran Pratishtha time is from 12:20 pm to 2 pm.

Key dignitaries attending the program include the  Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, RSS Sarsanghchalak, Shri Mohan Rao Bhagwat, Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Anandiben Patel. UP CM Yogi Adityanath, and Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, the President of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Program.

The Pran Pratishtha ceremony, marking the consecration of the historic Sri Ram temple, is scheduled from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm.

Following that, Mangal Vidhi will take place at 12:30 pm. The stage will host esteemed personalities, and the expenses for the event will be borne by them.

Among the guests are also the five judges  of the Constitution Bench headed by the then Chief Justice of Indian Rajan Gogoi, Justice Ashok Bhushan, Justice Arvind Bobde, Justice Dhananjay Chandrachud, Justice S Abdul Nazeer.

The Constitution Bench had passed the unanimous judgment in favour of the Ram temple site on November 9, 2019.  Bench had ruled that the demolition of Babri Masjid was illegal, but the Hindu petitioners staking claims for the Ram Mandir site measuring 2.77 acre  "is a better case".    

Justice Gogoi is the nominated member of the Rajya Sabha from Assam,    Justice Chandrachud is the Chief justice of India and Justice Bobde is leading a retired life in Nagpur, Justice Nazeer is the serving Governor of Andhra Pradesh, Justice Bhushan is the serving chairperson of the National company Law Appelate  Tribunal(NCLAT).      

Security measures are in place, and invited guests, including revered saints, are urged to arrive before 11:00 am for seating due to security reasons.

Separate arrangements are made for personal belongings at the entry point, including phones, cameras, shoes, slippers, and bags. Guests are requested to bring their Aadhar card and the specific invitation, as the card is non-transferable.

The organizers have made arrangements for snacks, food, and public facilities near the venue.

The invitation card is valid only for the named individual, and entry will require both the Aadhar card and the invitation card for verification.

The program is organized by key figures like Mahant Nritya Gopal Das Ji Maharaj, Singh Champat Rai Ji, Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj, Swami Vasudevanand Saraswati Ji Maharaj, Shami Vishwa Prasannatirtha Ji Maharaj, Swami Yugpurush Parmanand Giri Ji Maharaj, and Mahant Devendra Das Ji Maharaj.

The card also acknowledges the role of Vimalendra Mohan Pratap Mishra, Ramesh, Chairman of the temple construction committee, and Kameshwar Chaupal from Patna, along with principal trustees appointed by the Government of India and Uttar Pradesh.

The politics is at its peak. In view of the Pran Paratishtha, many state governments have declared Holiday on Monday January 22.

Bombay High Court today dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the declaration of a holiday on the occasion of Pran Pratishtha, citing political motivations behind the filing.

The court ruled against the petition, asserting that it was driven by political mileage rather than a genuine concern for public interest.

The PIL, aimed at contesting the observance of a holiday in celebration of the return of Prabhu Ramlala in Ayodhya, faced strong opposition from the court.

The judiciary emphasized that the petition lacked merit and appeared to be a strategic move by certain political entities to hinder the unity and festivities of Hindus marking this significant event.

According to the BJP activists, despite the court's decision, the political opposition continues its efforts to thwart the collective celebration of the return of Prabhu Ramlala in Ayodhya, alleging a broader agenda to impede the unification of Hindus during this auspicious occasion.

Despite the controversy surrounding the temple's construction, the inauguration has stirred mixed reactions.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal plans to visit with his family, while some Congress Party leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, declined invitations, referring to the event as a "political ceremony." 

Religious leaders are also divided in their views.

Two of the four Shankaracharyas raised concerns about the ceremony preceding the completion of temple construction.

However, others, like Shashikant Das and Mahant Narayan Giri, consider it an auspicious event, noting the readiness of the sanctum sanctorum.

The temple complex, covering 70 acres, is expected to be completed in three phases by 2025.

With the main temple spanning 57,400 square feet and featuring three floors and 12 gates, experts predict its positive impact on job creation in Ayodhya and nearby areas as it will open flood gates for global tourists.

The Ram Bhagt across world has joined hands to make Pran Pratishtha a global news.

In the heart of bustling Mumbai lies a hidden gem, Banganga, a freshwater tank with a history as enchanting as its serene surroundings.

Legend has it that during Shri Ram's journey to Lanka, he paused at the shores of Banganga and crafted a Shiva Lingam from walu (sand), giving rise to the name Walkeshwar, meaning "Walu ke Ishwar."

In his quest to perform an Abhishek of Mahadeva, Shri Ram faced a challenge – the absence of fresh water. Turning to Lakshman, he instructed him to fetch water.

Lakshman, with his arrow, pierced the ground, unveiling a perennial spring of fresh water, now known as Banganga, where "Ban" symbolizes the arrow, and "Ganga" flows eternally.

Adjacent to the sacred Banganga Tank stands the Walkeshwar Mahadev Mandir, offering divine vistas to all who visit.

This historical precinct boasts ancient temples dedicated to Balaji, Rameshwar, Shantadurga, Gaudapadacharya Math, Mahalakshmi, Omkareshwar, Ganapati, Parshuram, Maruti, Shani, Kashi Math, Jabreshwar, Siddheshwar, and Jagannath Mahadev.

Politics over the Sri Ram Mandir has peaked as the ceremony has assumed political colour, with the BJP-ruled UP state government under CM Yogi Adityanath leaving no stone unturned to make the arrangements and  pinning rivals to the ground who once had opposed Ram Mandir.

Ayodhya has an international airport, revamped Railway station, Fourlanes National Highways and revamped bathing ghats along the river Saryu and clean streets and basic facilities undreamt of under previous regimes, said Yogi Aditya Nath.

While all eyes are on Ayodhya Congress leader Rahul Gandhi instead chose to embark on Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra launched from Manipur.

He has chosen to offered prayers in Sri Sri Shivshankar temple in Assam tomorrow to prove his credentials as a  Hindu to counter RSS-BJP taking full credit for the fulfillment of dream of the crores of Hindus across Indian and world.

Will politics over Ran Mandir end? But it is expected to culminate after Lok Sabha elections just few months away.