Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the famous Ramanathaswamy temple in Tamil Nadu's Rameswaram on his two-day tour to the state. He will be taking holy water from the temple for the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, which is to take place on January 22. This visit holds a special significance as Rameswaram is believed to be the land of Lord Rama according to the Indian epic Ramayana.
Amidst the excitement and preparations for the consecration of the Ram Mandir on January 22, the absence of four Shankaracharyas in the event has caused controversy. Swami Nischalanand Saraswati Maharaj, the Shankaracharya of Puri, explained that their decision is rooted in the deviation from established traditions during the installation of the Ram Lalla idol. The issue has sparked debates about the role of tradition and government interference in religious practices.
The UP government has launched an app called Sri Mandir, which allows devotees from all over the world to light diyas digitally in Ayodhya to welcome Lord Rama. The app was developed by e-commerce startup shopclues.com, under the guidance of Ayodhya Development Authority. This digital service is available on the app and website, with prices starting from Rs 51. However, caution is advised as scammers are spreading rumors about a VIP pass for the consecration ceremony on January 22.