Ayodhya Ram Mandir: Public Holiday On January 22 Declared By These States, Will Banks Be Closed Too? Find Out!

The Ram Mandir's inauguration in Ayodhya on January 22 is just a weekend away, and a host of states have declared the auspicious day a public holiday. However, as per RBI's schedule, the coming Monday is a working day for banks. Nonetheless, the central government has declared half days for institutions under their ambit including PSU banks. Private banks are likely to remain open.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with other leaders and renowned figures will be attending the Prana Pratishtha, which began on January 16 and will continue to the consecration of Ram Lalla on January 22 in his birthplace, Ayodhya, a city on the banks of Sarayu River in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

While banks, schools and offices were not declared as holidays for the entire seven-day Vedic rituals, however, January 22 will be a special day and many states have announced public holidays for the celebration.

UP's chief minister Yogi Adityan has urged the citizens of India to celebrate January 22 in their towns and cities with the same enthusiasm as the festival of light, Diwali.

Here are the states that have declared public holidays on January 22:

1. Uttar Pradesh: While Ram Lalla's inauguration will be in the heart of Ayodhya, the state of Uttar Pradesh is the axis of the entire occasion. The government here is preparing for a huge celebration on January 22 and hence all government offices and educational institutions will be closed on this day.

2. Goa: The state's chief minister Pramod Sawant has declared the closure of government buildings and schools on January 22, enabling the public to enjoy the celebration.

3. Tripura: Following the latest announcement of the central government for banks and offices, Tripura has also declared half-day state government offices and education institutions. On January 22, in this state, the working hours for government employees and institutions will be till 2.30 pm.

Other states that have declared public holidays for government employees and schools are Haryana, Chhatisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh among others.

Also, as per the official statement on January 18, the Central Government has announced a half-day closing till 2:30 pm on 22nd January 2024, at all Central Government offices, Central institutions & Central industrial establishments throughout India on the occasion of Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha.

The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions order said, that the Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha at Ayodhya will be celebrated on 22nd January 2024 across India. To enable employees to participate in the celebrations, it has been decided that all Central Government Offices, Central Institutions and Central Industrial Establishments throughout India will be closed for half a day till 1430 hours on 22nd January 2024.

The statement said it is also advised that all Ministries/Departments of the Government of India may bring the above decision to the notice of all concerned.

However, private banks will remain open as January 22 is a working day as per RBI's guidelines.

Details of Prana Pratishtha and Related Events:

As per Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra, the trust that looks after the construction of Ram Mandir and its management, the auspicious Prana Pratishtha yoga of the Deity of Bhagwan Shri Ram Lalla arrives on the approaching Paush Shukla Kurma Dwadashi, Vikram Samvat 2080, i.e., Monday, the 22nd of January 2024. Following all the Shastriya protocols, the programme of Prana Pratistha will be held in the Abhijeet Muhurta in the afternoon.

However, the formal procedures of pre-Prana Pratistha sacraments have commenced from January 16 and will continue till January 21.

On January 18, the trust tweeted saying that Ramamurthy entered the Ram temple located at Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya after 12:30 pm. At 1:20 pm, when the host gave the main resolution, the atmosphere became auspicious with the sound of Veda mantras. The work for the water disposal of the idol was completed on Thursday.

On Friday, at 9 am, a fire will appear from Aranimanthan. Before that, there will be worship of established deities like Ganapati, recitation of Vedas of all the branches by the gatekeepers, Dev Prabodhan, Aushadhivas, Kesaradhivas, Ghritadhivas, Kundpujan and Panchbhu Sanskar. Establishment of the fire manifested by Arnimanthan in the pond, Grahasthapan, Innumerable Rudrapeethasthapan, Pradhadevatashapana, Rajaram - Bhadra - Shriramyantra - Beethdevta - Angadevta - Vapardevata - Mahapooja, Varunmandal, Yoginimandalsthapan, Kshetrapalmandalsthapan, Grahahom, Sthapyadevhom, Prasad Vastusshanti, Dhanyadhivas, there will be evening worship and aarti.

Key Details here:

- January 16: Atonement and Karmakuti worship.

- January 17: Entry of the statue into the premises.

- January 18 (Evening ): Pilgrimage worship, water journey, Jaladhivas and Gandhadhivas

- January 19 (Morning and Evening ): Aushadhivas, Kesaradhivas, Ghritadhivas, Dhanyadhivas

- January 20 (Morning and Evening ): Pushpadhivas, Sugardhivas and Faladhivas.

- January 21 (Morning and Evening): Mid-session and bedtime.

For January 22, elaborate arrangements have been made for the LIVE telecast of the ceremony. The entire event would be live-telecast in 4K quality by Doordarshan, on DD News and DD National channels. On 23rd January 2024, Doordarshan will do a LIVE telecast of Aarti and the Opening of Shree Ram Temple for the public.

Also, efforts are being made to make information on medical care facilities at Ayodhya available on the website of the local administration in Ayodhya and the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust, to facilitate people in getting adequate medical assistance. A team has been sent from JPNA Trauma Centre, AIIMS, New Delhi to impart training to around 200 health workers in Ayodhya from January 12 - 15, 2024. The government of India is likely to establish a Bhishm Emergency Response facility at Ayodhya during the Pran Pratishta ceremony and allied programmes.