Here’s how Goa is preparing for the Ram Mandir consecration

There’ll be live streaming, replicas of the temple on display and special ceremonies at temples
Goa gets ready for the Ram Mandir consecration in Ayodhya.
Goa gets ready for the Ram Mandir consecration in Ayodhya. Gomantak Times
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A festive spirit is taking over the State as devotees are set to celebrate the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024. While temples are getting decked up and some of them are making preparations for live screening of the event, elsewhere the event has unleashed creativity among the young and the old.

Goa gets ready for the Ram Mandir consecration in Ayodhya.
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7-FOOT HIGH REPLICA OF RAM MANDIR

In Vasco, Yash Naik, a 16-year-old from Vasco, along with his father Ramchandra Naik, has meticulously curated a detailed replica of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

Ramchandra is proud of his his son. “My son is very talented and also creative. I had shown him the temple photos and we decided to get the replica made, which was completed in eight days,” he said.

A detailed replica of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya by Vasco's Yash Naik and his dad.
A detailed replica of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya by Vasco's Yash Naik and his dad.

While giving the final touches to the replica, he said, “If we cannot get to Ram Mandir, why not bring the mandir home? We will be taking the temple around in our car, so that people can also see it.” The miniature temple is made of thermocol and is 7 feet high and 8 feet wide.

Goa gets ready for the Ram Mandir consecration in Ayodhya.
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MARKETS BUZZING WITH RAM-BASED DÉCOR, FLAGS

The Panjim market is bustling with a myriad items on sale – from flags to décor, diyas and much more. “Most of the items in our shop have already been sold out. The devotees loved the scarfs with the picture of Lord Ram on it. They were sold at Rs 150 per piece. The flags vary from Rs 70 to Rs 700 based on the sizes,” a shopkeeper from the market said.

Manish, who works in a small shop in Margao, has seen locals buy more flags. “We got people who came to buy two-three flags at a time. It’s been a good week for my business too.”

The markets have taken a festive look with lots of decor items on sale for the occasion.
The markets have taken a festive look with lots of decor items on sale for the occasion.Photo: Rohan Fernandes

RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES, LIVE SCREENINGS

Every temple and it’s devotees across the state are excited to organise activities and at the Shree Mahalasa Narayani Devalaya, Old Mardol, Verna, devotees are planning to have a massive Deepostsav where around 25,000 earthen lamps will be lit in the vicinity of the temple premises on January 22, 6 pm onwards.

Suhas Vernekar, from the temple says, “We expect to have around 5,000 people and the diyas are going to be placed on various rangoli designs like the bow and arrow, swastika and much more.”

Devotees plan to have a massive Deepostsav, lighting thousands of lamps.
Devotees plan to have a massive Deepostsav, lighting thousands of lamps.Photo: Rohan Fernandes

Along with the lighting of diyas, most temples in the state are planning live screenings. Pandurang (Bhai) Nayak of Maruti Temple in Margao informed, “We have live screenings for those who want to watch the consecration at the temple. We will also have other religious activities.”

Multiplex chain PVR INOX has collaborated with news channel AajTak and will broadcast the Ram Mandir consecration ceremony live in over 160 cinema halls in more than 70 cities across India at Rs 100 per ticket.

Goa gets ready for the Ram Mandir consecration in Ayodhya.
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EVENTS FOR KIDS

Raghuvir Mahale of Yuva from Mala, Panjim, has organised a drawing competition for people in the area. “Why should the kids be left out? We have a drawing competition for children and their parents. As of now, we have received around 400 entries and more are still registering.”

The festivities have begun and with less than 48 hours left for the grand opening of the Ram temple in Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya, one can feel devotion everywhere in Goa.

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