The inauguration of the Ram Temple marked a momentous occasion as the Ram Lalla idol underwent a ceremonial bathing with sacred water from 114 kalash on the eve of the pran-pratishtha ceremony. All eyes turned toward Ayodhya, anticipating the historic unveiling of the Ram Temple, following the Supreme Court's decision five years ago to allocate the disputed land for its construction.

At precisely 12:30 pm on Monday, the nation will witness the grand pran-pratishtha ceremony, during which the 51-inch black stone idol of Lord Ram Lalla will be formally enthroned as the sacred deity of the temple. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to participate in the ceremony, surrounded by numerous dignitaries from various walks of life. The meticulously planned years leading up to this moment will culminate as the gates of the Ram Mandir open to visitors after the conclusion of the pran-pratishtha event.

Ayodhya is fortified with a multi-layered security setup, featuring 10,715 AI-based cameras that diligently monitor the city. Two NSG sniper teams stand vigilant, and anti-mine drones meticulously inspect the ground for any potential mines or explosives. The Ayodhya event is scheduled to commence at 12:20 pm, approximately 10 minutes before the significant moment, and will extend until 1 pm. During this period, Prime Minister Modi will address the assembly, which includes distinguished personalities, politicians, actors, sportspersons, and others. On Monday, a unique musical spectacle is planned, with 50 musical instruments resonating for two hours to create the harmonious 'Mangal Dhvani.'

Instruments from diverse regions, including Pakhawaj and Dholak from Uttar Pradesh, Veena from Karnataka, Sundari from Maharashtra, Algoza from Punjab, Mardal from Odisha, Santoor from Madhya Pradesh, Pung from Manipur, Nagada and Kali from Assam, Tambura from Chhattisgarh, Pakhawaj from Bihar, Shehnai from Delhi, Ravanahatha from Rajasthan, Srikhol and Sarod from Bengal, Ghatam from Andhra Pradesh, Sitar from Jharkhand, and various others from Gujarat, Nagaswaram, Tavil, Mridang, and Hudka from Uttarakhand, will participate in this musical extravaganza.

Ayodhya has been adorned in anticipation of the grand event, with numerous visitors and religious leaders flocking to the city ahead of the pran-pratistha. The magnitude of the upcoming ceremony has resonated throughout the country, as gifts from various corners have poured in for Ram Lalla.

The offerings include special perfumes from Kannauj, 500 kg of "kumkum" from Amravati, grains collected from a Ram temple in Delhi, flowers from Bhopal, and papers inscribed with Lord Ram's name 4.31 crore times from Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara. Among the remarkable gifts are a 108-foot incense stick, a 2,100-kg bell, a colossal lamp weighing 1,100 kg, gold footwear, a 10-foot-high lock and key, and a clock capable of simultaneously indicating the time in eight countries. Additionally, a 500-kg iron-copper "nagada" and an "Onavillu" bow have also made their way to the temple as offerings.

Notably, the temple has received over 3,000 gifts from Sita's birthplace in Nepal's Janakpur, while a Sri Lankan delegation presented a special gift from the Ashok Vatika, a garden mentioned in the Ramayan. The diverse and symbolic nature of these gifts reflects the widespread enthusiasm and reverence associated with the momentous occasion.

On Sunday, a multitude of actors and sportspersons from the extensive list of 8,000 invitees arrived in Ayodhya for the momentous event. Kangana Ranaut, Shefali Shah, Randeep Hooda, Pawan Kalyan, Rajinikanth, and Shankar Mahadevan were among those who reached Uttar Pradesh, with some landing in Ayodhya and others in Lucknow. Notable figures such as Saina Nehwal, PT Usha, Anil Kumble, and Venkatesh Prasad also made their way to the state.

As part of the Ayodhya mahaprasad, guests will receive a special packet from the temple, containing two laddus, Saryu River water, Akshatm (sacred rice), betel nut, plate, and kalava. The mahaprasad packet has been meticulously prepared by Gujarat's Bhagwa Sena Bharti Garvi and Sant Seva Sansthan.

The pre-consecration rituals, initiated a week ahead of the pran-pratishtha on January 16, set the stage for Monday's consecration moment. During these rituals, the 51-inch-tall idol, destined to become the new deity of the Ram Mandir, was placed at the sanctum sanctorum. The culmination of these preparations will be marked by the opening of the idol's eyes on Monday, signifying the significant consecration event.

In preparation for the pran-pratishtha, Prime Minister Modi observed an 11-day fast and adhered to a satvic routine, immersing himself in the consecration rituals. Throughout this period, he exclusively consumed coconut water and chose to sleep on the floor, following a ritual guided by scriptures designed to awaken divine consciousness. As part of his spiritual journey, PM Modi visited temples with connections to the Ramayana in Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. On Sunday, he visited Arichalmunai, a site believed to be associated with the construction of Ram Setu.

In contrast, the opposition, including the Congress, CPM, Trinamool, and the Samajwadi Party, declined invitations to the grand event. Instead, they have devised alternative plans involving temple visits. Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to visit Assam's Batadrava Than, the birthplace of Vaishnavite saint Srimanta Sankaradeva. Mamata Banerjee plans to visit the Kalighat temple and participate in a communal harmony rally in Kolkata. Uddhav Thackeray is set to visit Nashik's Kalaram Temple, while Arvind Kejriwal is likely to attend religious programs in New Delhi. These parallel plans reflect diverse approaches to religious engagements by political leaders across different regions.

On January 22, several states observe a full holiday, while others have declared a half-holiday with the closure of schools and colleges. The central government has announced a half-day, and markets will remain closed on Monday. Public sector banks will operate for only half the day. In some states, banks will remain closed for the entire day, particularly those where public holidays have been officially declared.

The pran-pratistha event for the Ram Temple has stirred a lively debate. Some political parties contend that the BJP has taken control of the inauguration, while certain religious leaders argue that the temple is not yet fully prepared, asserting that it is inappropriate to conduct the pran-pratistha of the idol in an incomplete temple. The temple trust, however, clarified that the pran-pratishtha will occur in the garbha-griha, which is fully complete. The differing perspectives highlight the complexity and diversity of opinions surrounding this significant event.

On January 22, several states observe a full holiday, while others have declared a half-holiday with the closure of schools and colleges. The central government has announced a half-day, and markets will remain closed on Monday. Public sector banks will operate for only half the day. In some states, banks will remain closed for the entire day, particularly those where public holidays have been officially declared.

The pran-pratistha event for the Ram Temple has stirred a lively debate. Some political parties contend that the BJP has taken control of the inauguration, while certain religious leaders argue that the temple is not yet fully prepared, asserting that it is inappropriate to conduct the pran-pratistha of the idol in an incomplete temple. The temple trust, however, clarified that the pran-pratishtha will occur in the garbha-griha, which is fully complete. The differing perspectives highlight the complexity and diversity of opinions surrounding this significant event.