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Sri Vishwaprasannathirtha highlighted Lord Sri Rama’s qualities, considering him the embodiment of truth and righteousness. He spoke about the need for actions not to cause harm to others and the importance of adopting ideals that contribute positively to society.
In response to the question about his view that ‘saving a temple is more critical than building one’, the pontiff stressed the responsibility of ensuring the longevity of the temple and the need to cultivate a cultured generation. He advocated for teaching children about civilized life and cultural values from an early age.
Centuries-old demands, desires, and prayers of Indians are now being physically fulfilled. It is not solely the result of a revolutionary struggle; the Ram Mandir is being constructed following the decision of the constitutional court of the country. The temple is being built with the financial support of devotees, without any government grants. With the increasing expectations from Bharatiyas, there is a heavy responsibility on all of us to ensure its everlasting existence, Sri Vishwaprasannathirtha opined.
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Staying true to our culture is paramount. The temple we build will only remain a true representation of our culture if we, as individuals, stay connected to our cultural roots. Recognizing the impermanence of individuals and the variation from generation to generation, it becomes crucial to impart proper Sanskara and cultural values to our children. This effort can serve as a motivation, ensuring that the temple, culture, and Sanskara become a lasting legacy for future generations. Immediate action is required to accomplish this task, he added.
Regarding the realization of ‘Rama Rajya’ through the temple, Sri Vishwaprasannathirtha drew parallels between the ideal kingdom under Sri Rama’s rule (Rama Rajya) and the current democratic governance. He proposed that citizens adopting the principles of Sri Rama could lead to a utopian society and encouraged service to society as an essential aspect of devotion to Lord Rama.
Utopia existed under the rule of Sri Rama; it was a part of the ideal heritage. During that time, everything was realized. Now, the country operates under democratic rule. Therefore, if citizens embody the qualities of Sri Rama within this government, it will be easier to establish a kingdom reminiscent of Rama. In this regard, a nationwide campaign for utopia should be conducted, he said.
There will be no charges for religious services at the Sri Ram Mandir. Prasad is distributed to devotees free of cost. Hence, all of us need to dedicate our services to the betterment of society. This aligns with the service of Lord Rama. For instance, houses can be built and provided to homeless refugees. Many such concepts should be made possible through our service, contributing to the realization of the utopian ideal, he added.
To achieve this, committees should be formed at the district level. The office-bearers of these committees should come to Ayodhya, take the resolution of Ram State in front of Shri Ramdev, and continue their service work. This way, Sri Rama’s ideals and Indianness will become a double embodiment, bringing his vision of an ideal society into reality, Sri Vishwaprasannathirtha said.
Providing insights into the progress of the Ram Mandir construction, the pontiff explained the challenges faced, including the need to secure and strengthen the foundation due to the presence of sand in the soil.
As sand was found in the soil of the temple construction site, it became necessary to secure and strengthen the foundation. An area of about an acre was excavated, and a firm foundation was laid. This task is challenging and time-consuming, taking approximately one year to complete. Consequently, the construction work of Shri Ram Mandir experienced a slight delay, the seer said.
Currently, only one phase of the temple has been completed, and construction of the first and second floors is in progress. Robustness and security are given top priority. Various aspects of Ramayana will be depicted in different forms within the Ram Mandir. Carving of idols of various gods by sages and artisans is also progressing at full swing, he added.
The temple is entirely constructed of stone, and Vastu design plays a crucial role in the construction process. Against this backdrop, on Ram Navami, the design ensures that the sun’s rays touch the Sri Rama idol inside the temple. This represents a remarkable combination of technical expertise and religious significance. The temple stands as an embodiment of human willpower, the pontiff claimed.
Speaking about the worship tradition in Ayodhya, Sri Vishwaprasannathirtha mentioned that the Ramananda tradition would be followed at the Ram Mandir. The Ramananda tradition, prevalent in North India, was initiated by Saint Ramananda, akin to the Madhva tradition in Udupi. This tradition, similar to others like Smarta, Shaiva, and Ramanuja, has been followed since its inception. Even now, the legacy of Ramananda’s tradition is upheld in Ayodhya. It was decided not to alter the existing worship system or Sampra Daya, and accordingly, the past tradition is continued, he explained.
He explained the upcoming Prana Pratistha, a religious rite transforming a stone or idol into a god, and the subsequent Mandalotsava spanning 48 days.
In Ayodhya, the sculpting of the statue of Lord Rama has mostly been completed. Currently, all the idols are in the carving site. The chosen idol will be taken from the carving site to the Sarayu River on January 17 and bathed for purification. From there, it will be brought to the temple through a procession. The installation of the idol is scheduled for January 18 at an auspicious time. Subsequently, there will be three days of Jaladhiwasa, Dhaniyadhiwasa, and Shayadhiwasa, he elaborated.
He further added that on January 21, preparatory work for Prana Pratistha will be undertaken, with the actual Prana Pratistha ceremony taking place on January 22. In the background of Pranapratistha, various religious activities, including Homa and Havan, will occur from the morning. In the afternoon, the temple will be inaugurated. Prana Pratistha is an integral part of the complete religious rites, involving the transformation of a stone or idol into a god, he said.
Mandalotsava will be conducted for the next 48 days following the Pranapratistha. During the initial 44 days of Mandalotsava, there will be religious rituals such as Homa, and Havan, along with Kalashabhisheka and Thantinyasa to the statue. The concluding four days will witness Sahasra Kalashabhishekam, following the pattern of Brahmakalashabhishekam. All these activities will be carried out as part of the ritual and festival following the Pranapratistha, he said.
The Seer clarified that all religious rituals would be conducted through the trust, with Kashi Lakshmi Kanta Dixit leading the initial days of religious observance. Scholars from various parts of the country associated with Purnaprajna Vidyapeetha would participate in the Mandalotsava.
In response to a curiosity about what happens to the Ram Lalla idol that was used during the struggle for Ayodhya Ram Mandir, it would be installed within the Ram Mandir premises. Three idols have already been carved. One of them is finalized and subjected to Prana Pratistha. Many people wonder what will be done with the remaining two idols. Additionally, it is natural that many people are curious about what will be done with the idol of ‘Ram Lalla’, which is being worshipped now. After Pranapratistha, all three idols are installed in a specific place in the Ram Mandir with due respect. It will be decided in the coming days whether they should be worshipped daily or not, he added.
Abbot Vishwaprasannathirtha attributed the success and strength in the construction of Sri Ram Mandir to the grace of his Guru, Sri Visweshathirtha Sripada. He expressed unity based on Rama Bhakti and patriotism as the guiding principles, emphasizing the absence of disagreements in the pursuit of this noble cause.
“Sri Ramachandra is the God related to all. We are moving forward by uniting everyone based on Rama Bhakti and patriotism. That is the path laid down by my Guru. There are no disagreements here, and there never will be. As a result of his service, we have a special responsibility in the Sri Ram Mandir Trust,” he said.
Concluding the interview, Abbot Vishwaprasannathirtha highlighted the historical connection between the Ram Mandir struggle and Pejavar Math. He recounted the role of Guru Sri Vishweshathirtha in leading the construction efforts and the strong link between Ayodhya and Udupi.
Guru Sri Vishweshathirtha was at the forefront of the struggle for the construction of a grand temple of Lord Rama in Ayodhya. Sripad also presided over three Dharma Sansad held in Udupi by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. The slogan “Mandir Wahi Banayenge” was also echoed in the Dharma Sansad held in Udupi, he said.
“Our Guru ( Sri Vishweshathirtha) was also at the forefront of the agitation for the demolition of the controversial building at the birthplace of Lord Rama in Ayodhya. It was our guru who installed the idol of Sri Rama Lalla immediately after the disputed building fell to the ground. Thus, Ayodhya and our Guru, and thereby Udupi, are inextricably linked. I am fortunate to continue his legacy. It is the grace of Sri Ramachandra that we got such a pious opportunity,” he said.