Beyond Diwali: UK Hindus Celebrate Ayodhya Ram Mandir! Dive into the special preparations and celebrations planned by UK Hindus for the historic opening of the Ram Mandir in India. Learn how this event transcends Diwali and unites the community in faith and joy.
British Hindus are eagerly preparing for joyous celebrations akin to Diwali as the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, northern India, approaches on January 22. This momentous occasion has stirred immense excitement not only within India but also among the global Indian diaspora.
The Ayodhya temple, dedicated to Lord Ram, holds a special place in the hearts of Hindus worldwide as it is believed to be the Janmabhoomi, or birthplace, of Lord Ram. The sacred idol, to be consecrated during the pran pratishtha puja (a ceremonial rite invoking the life force) on the inauguration day, will be that of Ram Lalla, depicting Lord Ram in his infant form.
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In the United Kingdom, various diaspora organizations are gearing up for the grand day by organizing devotional and social events throughout the country. Recently, British Hindus hosted an Instagram live session with Jatin Bhatt, a founding member of Sri Ram Vijayotsav UK, a community group established to celebrate the Ayodhya Ram Mandir inauguration, in Leicester.
The weekend leading up to the inauguration, from January 20 to 21, will be filled with devotional activities such as bhajans, kirtans, night-long singing of devotional songs, and a special ‘Vishesh Ramcharan Puja.’
Explaining the significance of the Ramcharan Puja, — said, “A Ramcharan Puja is not something that is commonly done. In this puja, Lord Ram will be worshipped as a King, receiving offerings like elephants and horses, symbolizing the regal practices of that era. Although real animals won’t be involved, statues will be used. The ceremony will include military, musical, and instrumental offerings.”
In addition to this spiritually enriching event, a diaspora initiative has launched a new website, ‘UK Celebrates Ayodhya Ram Mandir,’ solely dedicated to keeping the British Indian community informed about related events across the UK. The website features a comprehensive list of several dozen events taking place in various parts of the country.
