Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India: In anticipation of the historic ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony of Lord Ram in Ayodhya on January 22, a team of confectioners from Varanasi and Gujarat is diligently crafting sweet offerings for dignitaries and devotees during the significant event.
These skilled confectioners have been entrusted with the task of creating laddus using pure desi ghee, which will be presented as prasad to Lord Ram during the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony. The production of this popular North Indian sweet commenced on January 6 and will persist until January 22, coinciding with the influx of devotees and dignitaries for the grand event.
On a daily basis, the confectioners are producing approximately 1200 kgs of laddus. Reports indicate that they are assigned to generate a total of 45 tonnes of laddus for the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony.
“The laddus are being crafted with pure desi ghee and will be offered as prasad to Ram Lala on the 22nd of this month. We have been making laddus since January 6 and will continue doing so until January 22. In a day, we produce around 1200 kgs of laddus. We have to make 45 tonnes of laddus for the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony,” shared one of the confectioners with ANI on Thursday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to preside over the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony at the Ram Temple on January 22. The event has gained significant global attention, with numerous VVIP guests from India and abroad receiving invitations.
Despite this, key figures from the Congress party, including national president Mallikarjun Kharge, former president Sonia Gandhi, and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, declined the invitation, labeling it as an event of the BJP and the RSS.
Vedic rituals for the ‘Pran-Pratishtha’ ceremony of Ram Lalla (infant Lord Ram) in Ayodhya are scheduled to commence on January 16, a week before the main ceremony. The main rituals will be performed by priest Lakshmi Kant Dixit on January 22, and from January 14 to January 22, Ayodhya will observe the Amrit Mahotsav.
Additionally, a 1008 Hundi Mahayagya will be organized, where thousands of devotees will be fed. Tent cities are being set up in Ayodhya to accommodate the expected surge of devotees for the grand ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony. The Sri Ram Janambhoomi Trust has announced arrangements for 10,000–15,000 people, and local authorities are preparing for the increased influx with enhanced security measures and logistical arrangements to ensure a seamless and spiritually enriching experience for all attendees.