Ram Mandir Inauguration: Maharashtra First State To Announce Public Holiday On January 22

The Maharashtra government has officially declared a public holiday on January 22 to observe the 'Pran Pratishtha' of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

The decision was prompted by a formal request from state Cabinet minister and BJP leader Mangal Prabhat Lodha. Initially, the state general administration opposed the request, citing the absence of precedence for declaring public holidays for such events. However, the request was forwarded to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's office for approval.

The call for a state holiday comes on the heels of the Centre's announcement of a 'half-day' for all central government offices, institutions, and industrial establishments across India to mark the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple.

The decision by the Eknath Shinde-led government aligns with directives from the governments of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Goa, which have declared the closure of government offices and educational institutes in these states.

Private sector banks will remain open in accordance with the Reserve Bank of India's holiday list designating it as a working day.

In addition to declaring holidays, BJP-led states have also implemented restrictions, including bans on the sale of liquor, meat, and fish, to observe the grand event in Ayodhya. Meanwhile, in Tripura, all offices and educational institutions throughout the state will remain closed until 2:30 pm on January 22.

With a limited number of invitees, the Ram Mandir will be inaugurated in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with other leaders, celebrities, and notable personalities. Thousands of seers from across the country have been invited for the ceremony, including the families of the laborers who played a crucial role in constructing the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

Preparations in the temple town are in full swing, with ceremonies that commenced on January 16. Notably, the Ram Lalla idol has been installed inside the sanctum sanctorum as part of the rituals leading up to the consecration ceremony of the Ram Mandir.