RWAs hold events for Ram Mandir opening

Bengaluru: Inspired by the members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), who have been carrying out door-to-door drives distributing mantrakshate (uncooked, unbroken rice mixed with turmeric), many resident welfare associations in Bengaluru are voluntarily organising community events to celebrate the inauguration of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple on January 22.From short poojas within apartment complexes to elaborate plans amongst apartment dwellers, gated housing societies are wearing the saffron flag loud and proud. The 72-unit IGV Apartments in RR Nagar has decided to celebrate the temple’s opening throughout the evening by lighting lamps, reciting hymns dedicated to Ram, hosting a community dinner and participating in cultural programmes themed around the epic of Ramayana.Vinayak Telkar, secretary of the IGV Apartments’ resident welfare association told TOI that his community is planning to sing a number of hymns and install a picture of Ram for the celebrations.“We will decorate our society with serial lights and diyas for the event. Prasadam will be served along with dinner and we have made the event inclusive for all religions,” Telkar said.Prestige Tranquility in Budigere with over 2,300 flats is gearing for a live streaming of the inauguration in the community hall located inside the apartment complex gates. “We will have bhajans in the evening but are preparing for a full-day event. We are also hoping to have a show related to Ram Mandir performed by the kids of the society. A light dinner with prasadam will be served,” said Manjunath Patil, a resident, organiser and local BJP worker.Most of these resident groups, however, stated that their intention behind the event is to only bring people together and followers of all religions are welcome. In Marathahalli’s Purva Riviera, residents Anand Radhakrishnan and Manjunath Sangappan took up the task of distributing mantrakshate a few days ago and the overwhelming response from the residents inspired them to organise a full-fledged event celebrating the ceremony in Ayodhya.“We will have three kids - dressed as Ram, Laxman and Sita - leading a procession. Following that, we plan to sing keerthans, have a few dance performances, conduct a pooja and distribute prasadam,” the organising duo said.The apartment dwellers were largely inspired by the door-to-door distribution drives conducted by RSS and its affiliates such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. Along with the mantrakshate, the Hindutva groups also distributed pamphlets with behavioural and ritualistic guidelines for even remotely viewing the Ram Mandir opening in Ayodhya. Across housing societies, sources said that the Hindutva groups were warmly welcomed into homes.
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