‘Deepotsav’ to mark temple construction

AYODHYA: The temple town of Ayodhya and banks of Saryu will be illuminated with thousands of ‘diyas’ or earthen lamps amid round-the-clock chanting from Ramayana for three days to mark the beginning of the construction of the Ram temple on August 5, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi lays the foundation stone.
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath who did a whirlwind tour of Ayodhya on Saturday to hammer out minutest details of ‘bhoomi pujan’ and the security blueprint, reiterated strict enforcement of Covid protocols and cleanliness while calling for a “deepotsav in the temple town to celebrate the historic day”. While offering prayers at Ramjanmabhoomi, the chief minister placed idols of Laxman, Bharat and Shatrughan on new ‘asans’ alongside Ram Lalla and told seers and district officials that “we have to follow pandemic protocols while ensuring the grandeur of the occasion. We have to make this auspicious hour reach every corner of the country and make Ayodhya the pride of India and the world. There will be ‘deepotsav’ at every house and temple on nights of August 3, 4 and 5.” Cleanliness should be the first condition and this is an opportunity for Ayodhya to set an example through self-discipline, he added.
After meeting members of the temple trust and local administration, the chief minister held a meeting with seers at Karsewak Puram to finalise rituals for seamless conduct of ‘bhoomi pujan’.
Talking to TOI, Triloki Nath Pandey, decree holder of Ram Janambhoomi said, “The chief minister said, the auspicious occasion has arrived after a struggle of five centuries. The nation is celebrating and we should cherish this moment by welcoming the PM.” He also offered prayers at Hanumangarhi temple in Ayodhya and inspected carved stones at the VHP workshop.
Talking to TOI, BJP MLA from Ayodhya, Ved Prakash Gupta, said, “Diwali will be celebrated in Ayodhya for three days, culminating in the bhoomi pujan. The town will be decorated like a bride to mark this historic event. At least 11,000 diyas would be lit on the banks of Saryu and every house and temple will be illuminated.”
Siya Kishori Saran, Mahant of Sat Guru Sadan said, “People must cooperate by keeping the town clean so that the world knows we are celebrating Diwali.” Mahant Suresh Das of Digambar Akhara also echoed similar sentiment and said, “The temple is going to be constructed after 500 years and every house must light diyas.”