Uttar Pradesh has officially designated January 22, the day of the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, as a public holiday. This announcement by the Uttar Pradesh government aligns with its previous decision to close all government offices and educational institutions in the state on this significant day. In addition to the state holiday, the Yogi Adityanath-led government has imposed a ban on the sale of meat and fish on January 22, echoing similar measures implemented by other states like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Goa.
The governments of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Goa, predominantly led by the BJP, have declared full-day state holidays on January 22 to mark the auspicious occasion of the Ram Mandir's consecration ceremony. Tripura, meanwhile, will observe closures of offices and educational institutions until 2:30 pm on January 22.
The Delhi administration, under the approval of Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, has declared a half-day closure for government offices, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), autonomous bodies, undertakings, and boards on January 22, allowing employees and residents to partake in the celebrations if desired.
The Centre has also issued a directive for a half-day closure of all its offices and PSU banks for the grand event. The Finance Ministry's notification states that central government offices, institutions, and industrial establishments will be closed until 2:30 pm on January 22, with normal working hours resuming thereafter. Private sector banks, however, will remain open per the Reserve Bank of India's holiday list.
The preparations for the ceremony in Ayodhya, which commenced on January 16, are in full swing. The installation of the Ram Lalla idol inside the sanctum sanctorum is part of the rituals leading up to the consecration ceremony. The exclusive sneak peek into the magnificent Ram Mandir reveals the grandeur of the structure, where rituals will be conducted in the presence of dignitaries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seers from across the country, and families of the laborers who contributed to the construction of the Ram Mandir.
