Mandir Instructions
Shri Ram Janam Bhumi Ram Lala Mandir Pran Pratishtha Celebrations Shree Ram Rath Yatra across USA and Canada
Dear Devotees,
Namaste!
The team from Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA) thanks you for your very enthusiastic participation in Shree Ram Lalla Murti Pran Pratishtha Mahotsav on January 22nd, 2024. As informed earlier, VHPA is organizing a Shree Ram Rath Yatra across USA, commencing on March 25th, 2024, to personally bring Pujit Akshat and Prasad from the Prana Pratishtha Utsav, Ayodhya Dham, Bharat. If your organization had registered but is not situated in a mandir, please join the brief ceremony at a nearby mandir which registered.
Please check your email (including the spam folder) to stay abreast of the route, the timeframe of the yatra and the arrival time at your mandir and any updates to the instructions. A designated regional and local coordinator will also attempt to stay in touch with you about this.
Details (please see the glossary at the bottom for the meaning of some of the words):
(1) The Rath will bring: Shree Ram Lalla Vigrah Pratikriti (replica, about 14” high) which will go back with the Rath, a Kalash (about 10” diameter) with Pujit Akshat and a packet of Sakar Dana (small balls made of sugar, sometimes called Elachi Dana) as Naivedhya.
(2) Your mandir may please arrange: A Sthapan (temporary Aasan) for the Vigrah, a small table for the Kalash, Akshat (raw-uncooked rice) mixed Haldi (Turmeric) (about ½ teaspoon per person at your mandir gathering) kept in an open utensil, Sakar Dana (about a teaspoon per person), some flowers for puja, Kumkum for puja. Any other prasad item for the devotees at your mandir is optional.
(3) We request the presence of members of your organization board, executives, trustees, priests and devotees for the brief ceremony.
(4) Once the Rath arrives, your Mandir representative would welcome and settle the Vigrah and the Akshat Kalash on the Sthaapan.
(5) Next, lit the deepak and the following two Shlokas will be chanted (first for Ganesh ji and the second for Deep Darshan):
• वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय कोटिसूर्यसमप्रभ। निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा॥
• शुभं करोति कल्याणमारोग्यं धनसंपदा। शत्रुबुद्धिविनाशाय दीपज्योतिर्नमोऽस्तुते॥
(6) Poojan of Shree Ram Lalla Vigrah and the Akshat Kalash will be performed with Kumkum and Flowers by the Mandir representative while chanting the following shlok
रामाय रामभद्राय रामचंद्राय वेधसे। रघुनाथाय नाथाय सीताया: पतये नम:॥
(7) Addition of Akshat from the brought-in Kalash to the Akshat from the local Mandir by the Rath representative while chanting the following mantra eight times (using the traditional Mrug Mudra for the addition after each repetition):
अक्षताश्च सुरश्रेष्ठ कुंकमाक्ता: सुशोभिता:। मया निवेदिता भक्त्या: गृहाण परमेश्वर॥
(8) Next, the Naivedya (Sakar Dana and any other item prepared by the mandir) to be offered by the Mandir representative)
(9) Addition of Sakar Dana Prasad brought with the Rath by the Rath representative once.
(10) It will be an auspicious occasion to take a Sankalp (for those inclined) to visit Ayodhya Dham when Devotees next visit Bharat.
(11) Respectful Viday of Shree Ram Lalla Vigrah and the Kalash in the Rath will conclude the ceremony. Any further puja and functions at the Mandir can continue as planned by the Mandir management.
The team coming with the Rath will be able to spend only about 15 to 20 minutes at each mandir because they have to travel to several hundred mandirs across USA and Canada to personally deliver the Pujit Akshat and Prasad to them. Your support by adhering to their schedule will greatly help in achieving this very ambitious undertaking.
Details about the Shree Ram Rath Yatra will be shared on the website www.rammandir2024.org Your temple or organization will also be contacted with additional information and coordination by our dedicated Ram Bhakts.
Once again, our sincere appreciation for your support and commitment to Santan Vedic Dharma.
Jai Shree Ram!!
Yours in Dharma,
Amitabh VW Mittal Gen, Secretary VHPA
GLOSSARY:
- Akshat: Uncooked rice with some turmeric. It is used for puja and tilak and not for eating.
- Dham: Pilgrimage center
- Kalash: A traditional round vessel with an opening at the top
- Kumkum: Traditional red powder used for tilak and puja
- Mrug Mudra: Hand gesture of touching thumb with the middle and next finger for holding small quantity (pinch) of rice or other offering. It looks like the head of a deer, hence Mrug
- Naivedya: Food before offering to Ishwar (Bhagwan). After offering, it become Prasad or sanctified food.
- Prasad: Sanctified or holy food
- Rath: A traditional vehicle often approximated by a decorated van/truck/bus
- Sakar Dana: Balls of sugar often used for Prasad. Because it is dry, it can be preserved for long periods. It is known as Elaichi Dana or other names in different parts of Bharat. Vigrah Pratikriti: A symbolic likeness or image of any form of God