Temples across the United States are preparing for festivities to celebrate the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, scheduled for Monday, January 22, 2024. Approximately 1,000 temples in the U.S. are set to host events, commencing this weekend, with the anticipation of thousands of Indian Americans participating in the series of celebrations.
In a blog post, Kalyan Viswanathan, President of the Hindu University of America, expressed the significance of Ayodhya’s resurgence, highlighting the enduring nature of Sanātana Dharma.
The consecration ceremony at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, after a 550-year wait, is expected to bring immense joy to the city and nearly a billion Hindus worldwide.
The Shri Sita Ram Foundation in Texas, represented by Kapil Sharma, has organized the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Pran Pratishtha celebration at its temple in Houston. The festivities will kick off with the Sundarkand, followed by cultural programs encompassing dance, singing, and music. The event will also feature a havan, Lord Ram’s Pattabhishek, and conclude with a procession of Lord Ram along with the distribution of prasad.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore is slated to attend a Ram Mandir celebration event in a Washington DC suburb on Saturday, with some Pakistani Americans joining the festivities in the Greater Washington DC area. Amitabh Mittal from Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America, the organization leading nationwide celebrations, expressed that the long-awaited dream of Lord Sri Rama’s followers is about to become a reality.
Various activities are planned across the U.S., including a car rally organized by the Washington DC chapter of VHPA, cultural performances, and puja at a high school in Maryland.
Car rallies are scheduled in over 20 cities, with the Bay Area, California, expecting participation from more than 600 cars.
Additionally, VHP-America has secured outdoor spaces in cities like Chicago, Houston, and Los Angeles to display the Ram temple consecration ceremony on big billboards. Sony is also contributing to the commemoration by showcasing Srimad Ramayana in Times Square on January 21.