Guwahati, Jan 22 (PTI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday termed the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya as a “turning point” and “reawakening of national consciousness”.
Several programmes were held in various parts of the state on the occasion of the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ of the idol of Ram Lalla — the childhood form of Lord Ram — at the Ayodhya temple.
Sarma viewed the consecration ceremony at the Harijan Colony in the city, while special prayers were organised in various places and people burst crackers as the event streamed live on various platforms.
“The return of Dashrathnandan Ram to His Bhavya Mandir marks a turning point in our civilisation and a reawakening of national consciousness,” Sarma wrote on X.
He said the events being organised during the day will inspire “more than a thousand future generations to uphold Sanatan Dharma to its fullest glory”.
“As Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji leads the nation to restore a vital dharmic and sanskritik link, I am eternally grateful to Prabhu Shri Ram for allowing me to exist in this particular time of history, a Swarnim Yug,” the CM added.
The state government had earlier declared a half-day holiday in the state, with government offices and institutions to open from 2 pm on Monday.
Government schools, colleges and universities remained closed for the day, while private educational institutions had also been urged to declare a holiday.
Sarma, at a press conference on Sunday, had urged people of all faiths to hold special prayers on the occasion of the Ram temple consecration to promote harmony.
A ‘dry day’ has also been declared on Monday, and shops selling non-vegetarian food items will remain closed till 4 pm, he said.
He also appealed to people across the state to light lamps outside their homes, shops and business establishments as well as visit ‘namghars’ (community prayer halls) on Monday evening. PTI