VHP PLANS DIWALI-LIKE CELEBRATIONS IN AYODHYA

LUCKNOW: The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) have planned Diwali-like celebrations in Ayodhya and across the state on August 5, the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi will preside over bhumi pujan for Ram temple in the temple town, a VHP functionary said.

In Ayodhya, the birth place of Lord Ram, Hindu saints have given a call to locals to mark bhumi pujan by observing Diwali on the same day.

As part of the celebrations, all temples in Ayodhya will be decorated and lit with diyas (earthen lamps) in the evening. Special puja will also be performed in all temples in Ayodhya on the bhumi pujan day. In the rest of the state, VHP has asked people to light earthen lamps at entrance of their homes on the day PM Modi will lay foundation stone of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

“Apart from Diwali celebrations in Ayodhya, in all prominent temples across the state, the VHP will ensure that special puja (aarti) is performed in the evening on August 5 to mark the foundation laying ceremony of Ram temple,” said VHP regional spokesperson Sharad Sharma, who operates from karsevakpuram in Ayodhya.

The VHP celebrates its foundation day on the festive occasion of Rakshabandhan every year, which falls on August 3 this year. To mark its foundation day and bhumi pujan of Ram temple, the VHP has planned eight-day celebrations across the state starting from August 9.

“In villages across the state, small functions will be organised to mark the bhumi pujan of Ram temple. Special brochures have been prepared for distribution among the villagers,” said Sharma.

“This carries the history of the Ram temple movement and the November 9 (2019) verdict of the Supreme Court in favour of the temple,” Sharma said.