Only Those 'Free of Sins' Will be Part of Key Ram Mandir Process | Value of Prayaschit Puja Explained

The rituals for the Pran Pratishtha (consecration ceremony), which will take place on January 22 at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, commenced on Tuesday.

With four days to go before the inauguration of Ram Mandir, the formal procedures for the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ have begun. As the rituals began, Vedic scholars from Varanasi reached the temple where they held a ‘puja’ after taking a bath in the sacred Sarayu river.

Meanwhile, the Prayashchit puja was also performed on Tuesday for the atonement for the sins committed throughout the years, before the consecration of Ram Lalla.

What Is Prayaschit Puja?

According to PT Nalin Sharma of Ujjain, there is a provision to perform Prayaschit Puja or atonement puja before consecration in any temple. It is done physically as well as mentally.

In this puja, people consecrating the idol need to take a bath in water containing panchadravya and many other ingredients. The puja is offered by the yajmans responsible for conducting pran pratistha in the temple. At least 121 Brahmins reached Ayodhya to perform this puja in the Ram temple.

What Is The Significance Of The Prayaschit Puja

As far as the purpose of the puja is concerned, the idea behind this ceremony is that anyone accompanying the people responsible for the consecration of the idol atones for the sins committed knowingly or unknowingly through this puja.

The term prayaschit means the act of seeking forgiveness and amending for the wrong deeds. These acts are performed through rituals or acts of contrition as per Hindu culture.

It is pertinent to note that prayaschit puja is performed for approximately two hours. After the puja is done, Vishnu puja is also performed for the atonement of the sins. It started at 9:30 am on January 16 and was performed by 121 Brahmins.

Meanwhile, the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Lala is scheduled to be performed on January 18 at the designated place in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. The present idol, which has been revered for 70 years, will also be placed in the particular area of the newly constructed Ram temple in Ayodhya.