1 week Ago
Ayodhya: With winter knocking on the door, preparations have begun to keep Ram Lalla cosy with woollen clothes and changed diet at his abode in Ayodhya's Ram temple. The deity will be wrapped in quilts, pashmina shawls and other designer garments from ‘Aghan ki Panchami' which falls on Nov 20. The winter wear is being stitched by Delhi-based designers and will be flown to Ayodhya.
In addition, yogurt offerings to Ram Lalla will be replaced with dry fruits given the change in weather. Beginning Nov 20, the Ram Lalla idol will be bathed with lukewarm water and heaters will be installed in the sanctum sanctorum to keep him warm. Warm air from a blower will also be provided in the sanctum sanctorum during the extreme weather.
As Ram Lalla is seated in the child form in the temple and cared for similarly, special attention to his food and clothing will be provided in the winter. Ram Lalla's grand consecration took place on January 22, 2024, and this is the first winter for him in his place since then. After multiple rounds of discussions, the trust and priests have selected weather-appropriate clothing and food for the deity.
According to Omkaar Singh, the spokesperson of the temple trust, Ram Lalla is seated in the Ram temple as a prince, so his clothes should be befitting his princely stature. Woollen garments are also being prepared for the idols of his three brothers and Hanumanji for the Ram Darbar situated on the first floor of Ram temple, Singh added. Though the trust has not shared any details of the colour and design of the deity's clothing, the colours of Ram Lalla's clothes are decided according to the day.
The chief priest of Ram temple, Acharya Satyendra Das, said that ‘Aghan ki Panchami' is considered very auspicious in the Hindu religion. "Beginning that day, yogurt offerings to the deity will be stopped, and rabri-kheer will be offered along with dry fruits. Puris made in pure desi ghee and desi ghee halwa will also be offered to Ram Lalla," Das said.
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