New Delhi (TIP) – Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, January 12, began a special 11-day religious exercise ahead of the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22. In a message, he said it is his good fortune that he will be a witness to this auspicious occasion. He said God has chosen him as an instrument to represent all Indians during the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ exercise and that he is undertaking the special religious exercise keeping this in mind. “I seek blessing from people,” he said on X.
The prime minister posted an audio message, noting that it is difficult to articulate one’s sentiments at this time but he is making an attempt. “I am emotional. First time in life, I am experiencing such feelings,” he said.
Officials said Modi will be following the arduous guidelines detailed in scriptures related to the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony.
While counting himself as blessed to be representing all Indians when he enters the sanctum sanctorum of Ram temple on January 22, the PM said though he would witness the divine moment in person, all 140 crore Indians would be with him.
“All Ram worshippers will be with me. That moment will be a moment of our collective realisation. I will carry with me the inspiration of innumerable people who sacrificed their lives for the Mandir, the inspiration of endless tales of nameless people and their valour and of the resilience shown over a long wait of 500 years,” Modi said, adding that he would enter the sanctum sanctorum of the temple with the energy of everyone and would feel their presence.
The 11-day social and moral code of conduct the PM entered into on Friday is prescribed in Hindu scriptures as a mandatory exercise ahead of a task like consecration of an idol.
The code of conduct involves a range of tasks, including fasting, and observance of a set of values. Called Yam Niyams, these codes are strict and require tremendous self-discipline.