Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday appealed to people to people to light special diyas — Shri Ram Jyoti — in their homes to celebrate the day of ‘pran pratishtha’ (consecration ceremony) at Ram temple as ‘Deepawali’, instead of visiting the temple in Ayodhya.
The Ram Temple consecration ceremony is set to be held in Ayodhya on January 22, which will be inaugurated by PM Modi.
“It is my ‘karbaddh prarthana’ (prayer with folded hands) because everyone wishes that they (people) themselves should come to Ayodhya to witness the event of January 22, but you also know that it is not possible for everyone,” he said.
The PM also appealed to people to take a pledge to make Ayodhya the cleanest city in India.
“This is the responsibility of the residents of Ayodhya,” he said.
“We have to make a new resolution for the country, fill ourselves with new energy. For this, all of you should light Shri Ram Jyoti in your homes on January 22 and celebrate Deepawali. Now people from all over the country and the world will come to Ayodhya every day and this will continue till eternity (‘anant kaal’),” the PM added.
PM Modi also appealed to people to launch a cleanliness drive at all religious places and temples from January 14-22 across the nation. He said that the joint strength of ‘vikas’ (development) and ‘virasat’ (heritage) will take Bharat ahead in the 21st century.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw were present on the occasion.
VIDEO | PM Modi holds roadshow in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. pic.twitter.com/f8TMKSX9Lw
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He also held a roadshow in Ayodhya which witnessed scores of people showering flower petals on his cavalcade. As he entered Ayodhya, ahead of inaugurating a slew of developmental projects, his carcade traversed a route dotted with saffron and party flags, with colourful cultural performances welcoming him to the temple town.