The final day of the Second Pratishtha Dwadashi ceremony was observed on Friday as part of the celebrations marking the second anniversary of the Pran Pratishtha of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Devotees from far and wide participated actively in the Second Pratishtha Dwadashi ceremony, playing significant roles in the rituals. Many visited Angad Tila, where the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust distributes prasad from Sita Rasoi to devotees after darshan of Shri Ram Lalla.
Devotees performed Tula Dan (weighing oneself against offerings) at Sita Rasoi, donating items equivalent to their body weight. People from distant places arrived to perform the ritual, with many expressing a sense of fulfilment and gratitude after completing it.
A devotee from Hyderabad, Kiran Biyani, said after performing Tula Dan at Sita Rasoi, “I felt very good here. I donated generously at Sita Rasoi. I felt very happy and fulfilled. It’s all God’s grace.”
A priest from Uttarakhand, Jaydev Prasad Singh, explained, “In our Hindu religion, Tula Dan and Bhumi Dan (land donation) are performed in different ways. If someone is suffering from extreme pain or distress, Tula Dan brings peace. Land donation is also considered similarly, as it is believed that one’s ancestors attain salvation. Tula Dan involves offering gold, silver, copper, brass, diamonds, pearls, or even grains equivalent to one’s body weight. This tradition has been practised for centuries and is mentioned in scriptures. It is performed according to prescribed rituals.”
Sita Rasoi manager Anand Shukla said, “People perform Tula Dan for their well-being. Lord Ram and Lord Krishna also performed Tula Dan for the welfare of the people and for their own well-being, and this tradition continues. At Sita Rasoi, Tula Dan is performed in the same tradition, including offerings of rice, lentils, ghee, spices, vegetables and fruits, all made with complete devotion. A community kitchen (Bhandara) runs continuously at Sita Rasoi.”
On Wednesday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh participated in the Pratishtha Dwadashi ceremony in Ayodhya, describing the moment as one of historic pride and spiritual fulfilment for the nation.
Addressing the gathering, Singh recalled the significance of the consecration of Lord Ram, saying, “Two years ago today, our Lord Shri Ram, after centuries of waiting, was consecrated in His divine temple. With His wondrous and radiant image, He is bestowing glory not only upon Ayodhya but upon the entire world.”
He said the spiritual atmosphere of Ayodhya reflects the deep emotional bond people share with Lord Ram.
“Today, every lane, every square, every doorway, every breath of Ayodhya is imbued with Ram and filled with joy. This joy is not confined to Ayodhya alone. Today, the entire Awadh region, the whole of Bharatvarsha, and every heart in the world that knows Ram honours Him,” Singh said.
(ANI)
