Ayodhya is bustling with religious fervour as thousands, including foreign devotees, have congregated in the temple town to attend the consecration ceremony, which will mark the culmination of rituals to inaugurate the temple.
On Sunday, the bathing of the Ram Lalla idol with water from 114 Kalash (vases) will take place. "On Sunday, the daily puja of the deities with Havan will be done. After that, the bathing of the idol with various medicated water from 114 Kalash (vases) will take place. There will be 'Vyahati Hom', night vigil, with regular evening puja and aarti," Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth posted on X.
The streets of Ayodhya too have been adorned with flowers and posters depicting the child-version of Lord Ram have come up at the entry gate to the temple.
Hundreds are pouring into the temple premises, and to take a holy dip in river Sarayu. Makeshift tents housing devotees have sprung up all over the town and Raj Sadan, the grand residence of the erstwhile Raja of Ayodhya, various temples and other buildings here have been lit up.
The ancient 'Ayodhya Nagari' has been tastefully decorated, especially the Ram Path and Dharm Path, the two street showpieces of what the government terms the 'Navya, Divya and Bhavya Ayodhya'. The streets are filled with strains of songs such as 'Ram Aayenge' and 'Awadh Mein Ram Aayen Hain' as saffron flags dot buildings.
A lot of foreign devotees too have arrived in Ayodhya. A devotee from New York shared his excitement at the ceremony, calling Ayodhya a beautiful place. "I have come from New York, USA. I have come here as the temple of Lord Ram is being built. Ayodhya is a beautiful place..." the devotee, Chaitanya Swami told ANI.
Another devotee, Prabhupad Jeevan Das, who arrived from Europe said he is very enthusiastic for the Pran Pratishtha as it is a glorious occasion which will change people's lives.
The ornate gateway -- 'Laxmidwar' -- has been illuminated with an image of Lord Ram holding his bow and arrow and chanting 'Jai Shri Ram'. Thousands are pouring into the spot to click pictures till late at night on Saturday.
A chandelier has been mounted beneath the arches of the gateway and lights added on the two arched wings, making its embellished frontage glow with elegance. The illumination is drawing people passing by on Ram Path nearby, and even many security personnel stopped over to get clicked.