Ramkathas, Bhajans, Ramlila Troupes, 1,111 Conch Record: Uttar Pradesh's Rs 100 Crore Plan For Ram Temple Inauguration

In light of the grand inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on 22 January, the Uttar Pradesh Culture Department has allocated Rs 100 crore to organise various programs throughout the state, Amar Ujala reported.

According to the Chief Secretary of Culture, Mukesh Meshram, a series of lectures based on the tradition of Ramayana and Ram Katha will be conducted in the coming days.

Renowned storytellers, including Avdheshanand Ji Maharaj, Morari Bapu, Ram Bhadra Acharya, Jaya Kishori, and Devi Chitralekha, will establish the ideals of Lord Rama among the people through different episodes of Ram Katha.

Additionally, a bhajan evening is also scheduled, featuring performances by acclaimed singers such as Anup Jalota, Anuradha Paudwal, Hariharan, Shankar Mahadevan, Kailash Kher, Sonu Nigam, AR Rahman, and others.

Ramlila troupes from Nepal, Cambodia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, and others have been invited for the Ramotsav. Ramlila troupes from states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Karnataka, Sikkim, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh will also present episodes based on the life of Lord Ram.

Additionally, various cultural programs at the regional and national levels, based on the tradition of Ramayana, will be organised. A Ramcharan Paduka Yatra and processions will be conducted across the country, starting from northern India to southern India, aiming to connect the entire nation. Moreover, Nagar Sankirtan, a devotional singing procession, will be organised daily in all 826 urban local bodies in the state.

As per the Chief Secretary, a workshop on sculptures and arts related to Lord Ram, instructed by renowned artists, will also be conducted on the instructions of the Chief Minister.

Furthermore, an exhibition of 108 paintings showcasing the ideal forms of Lord Rama will be organised through renowned painters recognised by the Uttar Pradesh State Lalit Kala Academy.

Notably, there are preparations to set a world record by playing the sound of 1,111 conch shells at the birthplace of Lord Ram. Additionally, a drone show and a talvar ras (sword dance) program involving 2,500 women will also be organised.