Grand bhandaras in Kanpurtemples on consecration day

Kanpur: After Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s suggestion to launch a weeklong cleanliness campaign and offer prayers at nearby temples on the day of consecration ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22, the Sangh Parivar has made extensive plans to celebrate the occasion in a big way. While “akshat” distribution by the RSS and the VHP with an aim to connect with more than 10 crore families is going on, people across the country are gearing up to celebrate the consecration ceremony at their respective homes or nearby temples for which the cleanliness campaign is also taking place on a large scale.

The regions nearby Ayodhya including Allahabad and Kanpur are witnessing enthusiasm amongst the Ram Bhaktas, who have organised bhandars and bhajan to mark the occasion. “After a wait of more than 500 years, the construction of Ram Temple has been completed. Entire Hindu society is upbeat and celebrating the “Pran Pratishtha” ceremony,” said Shailendra Bhadauria, who has organised “Bhandara” at five prominent temples of Kanpur on January 22 when the consecration ceremony will take place. Owner of Maharana Group of Institutions and Chancellor of Pratap University, Bhadauria has organised the bhandara at Panki dham temple, Kalyanpur, Pawan tanay hanuman Temple, Bhaupur, Kudhni hanuman ghatamour bhitar gaon, Sita rasoi Valmiki Ashram Bithoor and Surya Mandir, Sharda Nagar, Kanpur. “More than 1 lakh devotees are expected at these temples to watch the consecration ceremony,” said Bhadauria, who had taken part in Mandir movement as an RSS volunteer. He said giant screens are being installed for live-streaming of the consecration ceremony. The RSS, VHP and other saffron organisations including the BJP are mobilising people to celebrate the occasion by lighting earthen lamps in their houses and visiting nearby temples for three hours from 11 am to 3 pm on January 22, the “Muhurt” for the “Pran Pratishtha”. The two organisations have been inviting guests for the event. “On January 1, we launched a fortnight campaign to give “Akshat” to over 10 crore families and reach out to 60 crore people,” said VHP’s chief spokesperson Vinod Bansal.