In Images | The big moments from the Ram mandir consecration ceremony

A new dawn is here and Lord Ram has finally arrived in Ayodhya. After years-long wait, the consecration ceremony, also known as the pran pratishtha, was undertaken at the newly-constructed Ram mandir in Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya in a ceremony that was as grand as ever. Following the ceremony, which saw over 8,000 guests in attendance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Our Ram has come. There must be something lacking in our effort, sacrifice and penance that we could not do this work for so many centuries. Today the work has been completed. I believe that Lord Ram will definitely forgive us today…” The event was live telecast across the country and other parts of the world. But if you missed it, here are some of the most unforgettable moments. [caption id=“attachment_13643032” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat offer prayers before the idol of Ram Lalla during the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ rituals at the Ram Mandir, in Ayodhya. PTI[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_13643052” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] PM Modi performed a series of rituals at the temple, with the pran pratishtha’ taking place during the 84-second ‘Abhijeet muhurta’. At the end of the rituals, the PM prostrated himself before the idol, which depicts the child Ram. PTI[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_13643072” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] The Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir has been constructed in the traditional Nagara style. Its east-west length is 380 feet, width 250 feet and height 161 feet. It is supported by 392 pillars and has 44 doors. According to some reports, it has been built at a whopping cost of $217 million, which has come from private donations. PTI[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_13643082” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Sadhus and dignitaries during the consecration ceremony at the Ram Mandir, in Ayodhya. Over 8,000 people from all walks of life were invited for this grand and historic ceremony. The invitees were presented a ‘Ram patka’ and welcomed with ’tilak’. All invitees were presented a bell which they rang during the `aarti’. PTI[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_13643092” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Directors and A-listers from Bollywood and the entertainment industry also made their presence felt at the Ram Mandir consecration ceremony. Directors Rohit Shetty and Rajkumar Hirani with actors Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal, Katrina Kaif, Madhuri Dixit Nene and others posed for this selfie at the event. PTI[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_13643132” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] A helicopter showers flower petals over Ram Temple during its consecration ceremony, in Ayodhya. Fifty traditional musical instruments from across the country were part of a devotional “mangal dhwani” that resonated during the ceremony. Orchestrated by Ayodhya’s celebrated poet Yatindra Mishra, the rendition was supported by New Delhi’s Sangeet Natak Akademi. PTI[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_13643142” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the newly constructed Ram Mandir. As of now, the ground level of the temple is complete and will be open to the public from tomorrow (23 January). However, work on the upper level is still to be completed. PTI[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_13643162” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Reliance Industries Chairperson Mukesh Ambani and founder and chairperson of Reliance Foundation Nita Ambani at the Ram Mandir during the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony, in Ayodhya. On Sunday evening, the Ambani residence in Mumbai, Antilia, depicted holograms of ‘Jai Sri Ram’. PTI[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_13643222” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] A devotee during the consecration ceremony of Ram Mandir, in Ayodhya. Chants of Jai Shri Ram rang out loudly across the temple town of Ayodhya as people gathered to celebrate this historic moment. PTI[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_13643232” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Folk artists perform at the Ram Mandir, in Ayodhya. While many celebrated the moment, there were others who boycotted it, accusing Modi of orchestrating the event for political gain ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. PTI[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_13643262” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan at the pran pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya. PTI[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_13643312” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] The temple is also expected to bring a huge business boom to the city of Ayodhya. PTI[/caption]