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approached by the temple trust. "We were given stones from Nepal, Karkala in Uttara Kannada district, HD Kote in Mysuru district, and Makrana in Rajasthan

- Neha LM

RAM LALLA IDOL

I selected the Krishna Shila stone from HD Kote," Yogiraj said.

Rai said the current idol of Ram Lalla, which is worshipped at the makeshift temple, will also be kept in the sanctum sanctorum.

The selection of the idol of the child god Hindus believe Lord Ram was born at the site marks a significant step towards the opening of the Ram Temple on January 22 in a ceremony to be presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Building the temple in Ayodhya has been part of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) manifesto for decades and is likely to be a major issue for the party in general elections later this year.

"As per the time decided by Kashi-based eminent priest Ganeshwar Shastri Dravid, the Pran Pratishtha (consecration ceremony) on January 22 will begin at 12.20pm and should be over by 1pm. The 'karmakand vidhi (rituals)' would be undertaken on the guidance of Laxmikant Shastri, also from Kashi," said Rai.

"Thereafter, PM Modi, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will express their manobhav (feelings). I am using this word deliberately as using bhashan (speech) doesn't seem apt for such a momentous occasion. This process should take anywhere between 65 and 75 minutes," Rai said.

Nritya Gopal Das, who heads the Ram Janmabhoomi Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, will give his blessings on the occasion. Roughly 8,000 guests have been invited for the event.

"After the consecration ceremony, or post 2.30pm, the timing could vary by up to five minutes, all the invited guests will enter the temple for darshan of the Ram Lalla. The entry will be done by 10.30am, much before the arrival of PM Modi and there is a possibility that the departure could be delayed by up to 5pm or may be 6pm or 7pm. So, keeping in view the fact that the stay could be delayed for long, arrangements for food and refreshments would be made," Rai said.