The voting to decide the idol of Lord Ram Lalla for the grand Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya will take place today. The decision will mark a crucial step in the construction and consecration of the temple, scheduled for January 22.

The voting will be conducted during a meeting of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, the trust entrusted with overseeing the temple’s construction and management. Three distinct designs crafted by separate sculptors will be presented, with the idol receiving the highest number of votes to be installed inside the sanctum sanctorum during the consecration ceremony.

A 51-inch-tall idol of Lord Ram, depicting a five-year-old Ram Lalla, will be chosen from the three designs, Champat Rai, the trust secretary, said on Wednesday. “The one that has the best divineness and has a childlike look about it will be selected,” he said. 

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As the date for the consecration ceremony approaches, the chairman of the Shri Ram Mandir Construction Committee, Nripendra Misra, inspected the ongoing construction work on the Ram Janmabhoomi Path and the temple complex. Mr Misra assured that the construction is proceeding with a focus on quality rather than haste, with a three-phase plan to complete the entire project.

The consecration ceremony, spanning seven days, will commence on January 16 with an atonement ceremony conducted by the host appointed by the temple trust. Notable events during the ceremony include the procession carrying the child-like idol of Lord Ram, ritualistic baths, worship, and fire rituals.

On January 22, following a morning puja, the afternoon ceremony will see the idol find its permanent home under the auspicious ‘Mrigashira Nakshatra’.

Ayodhya Temple Complex

The temple’s trust has unveiled ambitious plans for the complex, emphasising its commitment to environmental sustainability and self-sufficiency.

The sprawling 70-acre complex will predominantly feature lush greenery, with approximately 70 per cent dedicated to a green area adorned with hundreds of trees. The trust has announced the inclusion of state-of-the-art facilities such as sewage and water treatment plants, a fire brigade post, and a dedicated power line within the complex.

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“The atmanirbhar (self-sufficient) complex will not only be a spiritual haven but also a model of responsible environmental practices,” MrRai said.

Sun Pillars

In addition to the green initiatives, Ayodhya is set to witness the installation of sun-themed pillars, known as ‘Surya Stambhs,’ along a prominent road in the temple town. Standing at an impressive 30 feet in height, each pillar will boast an ornamental orb that, when illuminated at night, will transform into a “miniature suns”. 

Constructed from reinforced cement concrete, these pillars will showcase a decorative cladding made from a special fiber, featuring the sacred chant ‘Jai Shri Ram,’ a mace symbolising Lord Hanuman, and other ornamental motifs.
 

In a display that could put WWE wrestling matches to shame, some members of a municipal council in Uttar Pradesh’s Shamli fought with each other during a meeting. Punches and kicks were thrown, people used the table to defend themselves, and one even climbed on a chair and tried to jump on another member.

The shocking incident took place during a board meeting of the Shamli Municipal Council, in the presence of Municipal Chairman Arvind Sangal and MLA Prasann Chaudhary were present.

The brawl, captured on video, has gone viral on social media and has also drawn condemnation from the Opposition. Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav took a direct jab at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party while sharing the video on X (formerly Twitter).

The Samajwadi Party leader said that the incident not only raises questions about the state of local governance but also highlights the tensions and rifts within the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

जब विकास कार्य हुए ही नहीं तो समीक्षा बैठक में और क्या होता, इसीलिए शामली में सभासदों के मध्य जमकर शारीरिक प्रहारों का आदान-प्रदान हुआ।

भाजपा राज का सबक : समीक्षा बैठक में अपनी सुरक्षा का प्रबंध स्वयं करके आएं। pic.twitter.com/9Fb8wBVwmh

— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) December 28, 2023

“When no development work has been done then what else could have happened in the review meeting, that is why physical blows were exchanged among the councilors in Shamli. Lesson of BJP rule: Come to the review meeting after arranging your own security,” he wrote.

The meeting was being held to discuss development projects worth Rs 4 crore in Shamli, according to India Today.

Nitish Kumar was unanimously re-elected as President of Bihar’s ruling Janata Dal (United) at a meeting of the party’s national executive in Delhi on Friday afternoon. The Bihar Chief Minister was re-appointed minutes after aide Lalan Singh stepped down, ending weeks of frenzied speculation.

Speaking to reporters immediately after the meeting, Mr Singh shot down talk of a rift in the party, and said, “Anger? What anger? Why should I be angry? This is the first time I am hearing this word.”

Sources said Lalan Singh was removed because he was seen as being a little too close to the JDU’s alliance partner in Bihar – Lalu Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal – amid talk that RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, who is Lalu Yadav’s son and the Deputy Chief Minister, is being prepped to take over.

There was also some consternation in the JDU after BJP leader and Union Minister Giriraj Singh’s claim that Lalu Yadav had told him “… the JDU will merge with RJD soon”.

That buzz was dismissed by Tejashwi Yadav himself, who accused the opposition BJP of “planting stories” to destabilise the JDU-RJD alliance in the state. Mr Yadav’s reaction came after the BJP’s Sushil Modi – who was the Deputy Chief Minister till Nitish Kumar quit that alliance – claimed the JDU was spreading rumours about re-allying with the BJP to keep the RJD and Congress in check.

Officially, though, Lalan Singh told Nitish Kumar he wanted more time to focus on his constituency ahead of next year’s election. Mr Singh is a two-time Lok Sabha MP from Bihar’s Munger. Bihar Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary said, “Lalan Singh said he will be busy with elections… so wants to hand over post of party President to Chief Minister… and Nitish Kumar has accepted it.”

The change in the JDU’s top leadership also comes months before the 2024 Lok Sabha election and speculation over Nitish Kumar’s prime ministerial ambitions in that race. The JDU boss was apparently passed over as a potential PM candidate for the INDIA opposition bloc earlier this month.

Nitish Kumar and the JDU played rubbished rumours of rifts within INDIA after that incident, when it was suggested the Congress chief, Mallikarjun Kharge, be the bloc’s prime ministerial candidate.

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Sources have said Nitish Kumar was unhappy with Lalan Singh as he failed to project his name.

Mr Kharge was proposed by Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal. Publicly, Nitish Kumar has insisted has no such ambitions, and only wants to unite parties opposed to the BJP. “I felt no disappointment….no resentment,” Nitish Kumar had said.

Mr Kharge, though, immediately squashed the move, pointing out the Congress, and the INDIA bloc, first had to win the election, and could then worry about choosing a Prime Minister.

That incident had highlighted what many see as serious rifts within the INDIA bloc, which is supposed to unite the opposition ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election. However, the JDU had brushed aside any such talk and, in fact, Lalan Singh had said, “All is well in INDIA bloc…”

READ | “All’s Well”: Bihar Ruling Alliance Denies Nitish Kumar “Upset”, INDIA Rift

The swap at the top of the JDU, though, has raised eyebrows in many circles, with critics of the party pointing to Nitish Kumar’s mercurial temperament, specifically the manner in which he dropped the BJP as an ally in August last year. That was after the JDU fared badly in the 2020 election, winning only 45 seats, and Nitish Kumar returned as Chief Minister thanks to the BJP’s 74 seats.