The news of the inauguration of the grand Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir (Temple) in Ayodhya has spread joy among Hindu devotees worldwide. The prāna-pratishthā (consecration) ceremony is scheduled for Monday, 22nd January 2024, during which the new murti (deity) of Bhagavan Rām as Rāmlalā (child form) will be ceremoniously installed in the sacred garbhagṛha (sanctum sanctorum) of the newly constructed mandir.
Recently, the officials of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Trust visited the home of Shri Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of Bharat and invited him to the consecration ceremony of Shri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024. Following this invitation, the Prime Minister posted on X (previously Twitter): “Jai Siya Ram! Today is a day full of emotions. I feel very blessed. It is my good fortune that in my lifetime, I will witness this historic occasion“.
“It is not only the feelings of the Prime Minister of the country, but these emotions resonate with every Hindu devotee worldwide,” said Prof Guna Magesan, President of Hindu Council of New Zealand.
“The building of this Mandir in our lifetime is a big blessing. We express gratitude and thank everyone who have struggled for the last 500 years to make this happen,” he added.
Recently, Prof Guna Magesan returned to New Zealand following actively involved in organising the World Hindu Congress 2023 in Thailand where more than 2200 participants from over 60 countries participated.
Last week, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust extended heartfelt invitations to Hindu devotees worldwide to join in the celebration of this historic event. The Trust encourages devotees to engage in various local activities on the day of prāna-pratishthā to make the occasion truly special.
Following the invitation letter to Hindu community in New Zealand, the Hindu Organisations, Temples and Associations (HOTA) Forum has taken an initiative to coordinate with all temples, organisations, associations, institutions, language schools, and individual devotees in New Zealand to actively participate in this historical celebration.
The Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Trust has suggested three ways to celebrate this grand occasion:
- Global Devotional Gathering: The Trust has urged New Zealand Hindu devotees to gather in homes, community halls, or nearby mandirs between 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm (New Zealand time) on the day of prāna-pratishthā. Participants are encouraged to sing bhajans, kirtans, perform ārtis, and pujas during this time. The collective chanting of “Shri Rām Jai Rām Jai Jai Rām” 108 times is suggested, along with the recitation of Hanumān Chālisā, Sundar Kānd, and Rāmrakshā Stotra, if possible. Mandirs, organisations, and individual devotees are invited to actively organise and participate in these events.
- Live Broadcast and Shared Experience: The significant installation ceremony of Bhagavan Rāmlalā will be broadcasted on various television channels in Bharat, including national television Doordarshan. The Trust has encouraged New Zealand devotees to arrange live telecasts of the locally organised ceremonies on community television screens or online platforms, creating a shared experience for all. Activities such as blowing conch shells, ringing bells, performing ārtis, and distributing prasad are highly recommended.
- Lighting Diyas: New Zealand Hindu devotees have been requested to light lamps in every household after sunset on the day of the ceremonial installation of Rāmlalā. This symbolic act will transform the occasion into a divine festival of lights, illuminating countless homes worldwide.
A dedicated website (https://shriramjanmbhoomi.in) has been set up by the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Trust for Hindu devotees worldwide to share their experiences, reports, and photos of their events. HOTA Forum New Zealand is encouraging New Zealand Hindu devotees to showcase prāna-pratishthā related programs conducted in different cities in New Zealand through the Activity Information Form.
Additionally, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust cordially invites all devotees and their families to visit the holy city of Ayodhya to take darshan of Shri Rāmlalā and the newly built mandir any time after 22nd January 2024. HOTA Forum New Zealand plans to organise two-week pilgrimage tour to Ayodhya and other places of historically important for New Zealand devotees in the month of March or April 2024. The devotees who are interested in this pilgrimage can email: [email protected].
HOTA Forum wishes this joyous occasion to serve as a conduit for prosperity, happiness, and vishwa-shanti (global peace), spreading the positivity of Bhagawan Ram’s ideals of Rām Rājya encompassing Dharma, Sheela, Nyaya, and Tyaga.
For more information, please contact:
Prof Guna Magesan
President, Hindu Council of New Zealand
