The journey from Lord Shri Ram’s enthronement in the holy city of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh to his consecration in his grand and divine temple is not just the story of the construction of a building or structure, but it is a living story of the centuries-old patience, unwavering faith and systemic change of crores of Ram devotees. The country has also seen that period before the year 2019 when Lord Shri Ram, the Lord of the three worlds, was sitting in a temporary tent. At that time, even for worshiping Ram Lalla, changing clothes and celebrating religious festivals, one had to go through the difficult processes of government machinery and permission of the Commissioner-Receiver.
Local Mahant and eyewitness Shikant Das says that when Ram Lalla was sitting in the tent, there used to be strict security and restrictions on the arrangements. Even for special and sacred religious events like offering 56 bhog to Lord Ramlala, an application had to be made weeks in advance and permission had to be obtained. During that period, the tradition of getting new clothes specially prepared for the Lord was mainly followed throughout the year only on the holy occasion of Ram Navami. Big festivals like Holi, Deepawali, Sawan Jhulnotsav and Shri Krishna Janmashtami were also celebrated in a very limited and symbolic manner amidst security cordon.
But when Ram Lalla was consecrated in the newly constructed and grand Ram temple on January 22, 2024, the entire picture and atmosphere of Ayodhya changed. The era of restrictions of tents is now history and has been replaced by supernatural splendor and daily devotion. Now in the grand Ram temple, the daily service and worship of Lord Ramlala is conducted according to a well-defined and scriptural routine.
Today there is a new festival every day in the court of Ramlala. According to the weather and seasons, special silk, brocade and decorated clothes are selected for the Lord. Every morning the Lord takes a divine bath and is adorned with new clothes and precious jewellery. According to different Prahars, various types of Satvik Bhog, Bal-Bhog and Chappan Bhog are offered to Ramlala.
Now, be it the Jhulanotsav of Sawan in Ayodhya, the grand Diwali of Saryu banks, the colorful Holi or the great festival of Ram Navami – unprecedented enthusiasm and spiritual energy is seen in the temple premises on every festival. Lakhs of devotees coming from India and abroad are not only visiting the sanctum sanctorum to see the charming form of Ram Lalla, but devotees sitting in every corner of the world are also taking advantage of the daily aarti and special rituals through digital mediums and live telecast.
This divine journey from a temporary residence of a tent to a grand palace covered with gold proves that times change and when faith pays off, the religious and social consciousness of the entire Ramnagari gets a new and unbroken expansion.