Sharad Purnima was observed at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya on Sunday, October 25, with special religious ceremonies, the ceremonial adornment of Ram Lalla and a midnight offering of kheer. Rituals were also performed outside the sanctum sanctorum following the evening aarti. Traditional devotional singing was held within the temple premises, and special security arrangements were made for the occasion.
Religious activities began at the Ram Janmabhoomi complex in the morning. Ram Lalla was given special adornment, and rituals were performed according to established worship practices.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust had completed preparations for the occasion in advance. Arrangements were made for prayers, devotional songs and traditional devotional singing. The temple also observed the tradition of offering kheer to the deity on Sharad Purnima night.
Priests and Trust officials participated in the religious programmes. The temple's regular operational arrangements were maintained alongside security measures throughout the ceremonies.
According to Indradev Mishra, who oversees religious arrangements at the Ram Temple, Ram Lalla’s movable idol was brought out of the sanctum sanctorum after the evening aarti as part of the Sharad Purnima celebrations.
The movable idol was placed on a platform in the northern section of the temple. Priests conducted special prayers and completed the prescribed rituals. In keeping with the temple tradition, the deity was placed under the open sky before the offering was made.
Chief priest Acharya Keshav Sharma and other temple priests were present during the ceremonies. Trust officials also attended the religious programme.
Sharad Purnima holds special significance in Hindu religious tradition. According to religious beliefs, the Moon is considered to be complete with all 16 phases on this night. Traditional beliefs also associate Sharad Purnima moonlight with nectar-like qualities.
In keeping with this belief, households and temples prepare kheer using milk and rice and leave it under the open sky in the moonlight for some time. It is subsequently offered to the deity and distributed or consumed as prasad.
The same tradition was observed at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, where kheer was offered to Ram Lalla at midnight. Other food preparations were also included in the offerings.
Several prominent representatives associated with the Ram Temple Trust attended the Sharad Purnima programme. They included trustee Mahant Dinendardas, Dr Nirmala Yadav and the temple’s chief executive officer, retired Air Marshal Jitendra Mishra.
Chief priest Acharya Keshav Sharma and other priests conducted the worship rituals. Trust employees and security officials were also present during the event.
Special security arrangements were implemented across the temple complex. The temple administration had issued the necessary instructions to the relevant officials in advance to maintain order during the ceremonies.
Following the Sharad Purnima celebrations, preparations were underway to observe Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti at the Ram Janmabhoomi complex on Monday, October 26.
The Maharishi Valmiki Temple within the complex has been specially decorated for the occasion. Saints from the Valmiki community, prominent representatives and officials of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust have been invited to attend the programme.
Trustee Dr Nirmala Yadav has been assigned responsibility for the religious ceremonies associated with Valmiki Jayanti. Prayers and other programmes are scheduled to be conducted under her supervision.
Maharishi Valmiki is regarded as the author of the Ramayana, the epic based on the life of Lord Ram. His association with the narrative of Lord Ram gives him a religious connection with Ayodhya. The observance of his birth anniversary at the Ram Janmabhoomi complex is part of the planned religious programme.
