In a significant move, 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 comes following a formal request made by BJP leader and state Cabinet minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha. Initially, the state general administration raised concerns, citing the absence of precedence for declaring public holidays for such events. However, the request was submitted to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s office for approval.
Maharashtra declares holiday on January 22
This decision aligns with the central government’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 Eknath Shinde-led government’s move mirrors the directives from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Goa governments, all of which have declared the closure of government offices and educational institutes.
Private sector banks, however, will remain open in adherence to the Reserve Bank of India’s holiday list designating it as a working day. BJP-led states have also imposed various bans, including the sale of liquor or meat and fish, in observance of the grand event in Ayodhya. Additionally, Tripura has announced the closure of all offices and educational institutions until 2:30 pm on January 22.
The inauguration of the Ram Mandir, with limited invitees, will be graced by the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with other leaders, celebrities, and notable personalities. Thousands of seers from across the country have received invitations for the ceremony, which also includes the families of the laborers involved in the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
The preparations in the temple town have been underway since January 16, with various ceremonies leading up to the consecration ceremony of the Ram Mandir. Notably, the Ram Lalla idol has already been installed inside the sanctum sanctorum as part of the rituals preceding the historic event.
