Ayodhya, Dec 31: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday hoisted a flag at the Annapurna Temple within the Ram Temple complex to mark the second anniversary of the consecration of the idol of Ram Lalla. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accompanied him during the religious ceremonies.
The Annapurna Temple is among the seven temples located inside the Ram Temple complex. The event comes weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted a saffron flag atop the Ram Temple on November 25, symbolising the formal completion of the grand temple’s construction.
Before arriving at the Ram Temple complex, Rajnath Singh and Yogi Adityanath offered prayers at the Hanumangarhi Temple in Ayodhya. The Defence Minister later prayed before the idol of Ram Lalla and participated as the chief yajman in the Pran Pratishtha Dwadashi rituals, officials said.
The Pran Pratishtha Dwadashi programme began earlier this week and will continue till Friday, while associated religious rituals commenced on Saturday. The original consecration of Ram Lalla took place on January 22, 2024, in a historic ceremony led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to office-bearers of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust, an estimated five to six lakh devotees are expected to visit Ayodhya for Ram Lalla’s darshan during the second anniversary celebrations.