Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday began an 11-day special ritual ahead of the consecration ceremony or "pran pratishtha" of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, which is scheduled to take place on January 22.
In an emotional message to the nation, PM Modi said that the feeling of "Ram Bhakti" is immersing the whole country in the run-up to the grand event.
Calling the moment a "blessing of the almighty", he expressed that he is "overwhelmed with emotions".
"As it is said in our scriptures, we have to awaken divine consciousness in ourselves for the Yagya and worship of God. For this, fasts and strict rules have been prescribed in the scriptures, which have to be followed before consecration. Therefore, according to the guidance I have received from some pious souls and great men of the spiritual journey and according to the 'Yama-Niyams' suggested by them, I am starting a special ritual of 11 days from today," the prime minister said in an emotional message to the nation," PM Modi said.