Ram Mandir Inauguration: Half Day Holiday For Central Govt Employees On Jan 22

The Centre has announced a half-day holiday on 22 January 2024 to all Central Government employees on the occasion of Ram Mandir inauguration on January 22 in Ayodhya.

All Central Government offices, central institutions and central industrial establishments across the country shall remain closed for a half day till 2.30 pm on Monday.

"Due to the overwhelming sentiment of the employees and requests from them, Central Government announces half day closing till 2:30 pm on 22nd January 2024, at all Central Government offices, Central institutions and Central industrial establishments throughout India on the occasion of Ram Temple 'pranpratishtha' ceremony," said the Central government's notification.

The Ram Mandir inauguration is scheduled for January 22 at 12:30 pm, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and various dignitaries.

Rituals associated with the temple inauguration commenced on January 16, a week before the event, with daily preparations for the consecration. The idol of Lord Ram arrived on the second day of pre-consecration rituals, currently placed in the sanctum sanctorum awaiting installation.

The idol's 'parisar pravesh' will conclude, followed by 'teerth poojan,' 'jal yatra,' and 'gandhadhivas' on January 18. Subsequent rituals, including 'aushadhadhivas,' 'kesaradhivas,' 'ghritadhivas,' and 'dhanyadhivas,' are scheduled for January 19.

On January 20, ceremonies related to 'sharkara dhivas,' 'phaladhivas,' and 'pushpadhivas' will take place. The schedule indicates that on January 21, the rituals of 'madhyadhivas' and 'shaiyadhivas' will be completed.

Apart from Central government offices, many state governments have also announced holidays to celebrate the inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released commemorative postage stamps dedicated to the Ayodhya temple on Thursday.

A book featuring stamps from around the world honouring the deity was also released. Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Today, I got the opportunity to attend another event organised by Shri Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha Abhiyan. Today, 6 Commemorative Postage Stamps on Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir and an album of stamps issued on Lord Ram around the world have been released. I want to congratulate the people of the country and all Ram Bhakts across the world."