The doors of the Ram temple in Ayodhya opened to the general public on Tuesday, a day after the consecration of the new Ram Lalla idol. Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra chief priest Acharya Satyendra Das, however, said it is unlikely that everyone would be able to have a ‘darshan’ (viewing) of the new Ram Lalla idol as the temple town saw lakhs of devotees turning up to offer prayers on Tuesday.
Large Crowd Since Monday Night In Ayodhya
Many devotees, both locals and visitors from other states, gathered near the main gateway along the Ram Path leading to the temple complex late on Monday night, seeking an early entry to the premises the following morning.
As a large crowd gathered during the night near the ceremonial gateway decked up for the consecration ceremony — police told the devotees that they would only be allowed to enter the temple the following morning when it opens for the public.
Chief Priest Says We Are Back In Treta Yug
While a huge crowd of devotees thronged the gates of Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, Acharya Satyendra Das said it seemed that the temple city had gone back to the times of ‘Treta Yug’ when Lord Ram used to live.
“After the pran pratishtha ceremony, the (Ayodhya) Nagari has turned pure. In the Treta Yug when Lord Ram came back, the Ayodhya nagari was delighted…A glimpse of the Treta Yug is visible today. So many Bhakts have come to Ayodhya now and Jai Shree Ram chants are echoing here.
Ram Temple Rituals
Satyendra Das said the aarti was held at 6:30 am. “A new system has to be made about the aarti and bhog in a few days,” he said.
“Darshan is going on from 6:30 am. Both the new idol whose pran pratishtha was done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the smaller idols are being worshipped. Devotees are having ‘darshan’,” he added.