New Delhi: There’s good news for all those who have not been able to plan your Ayodhya visit for the consecration of the Ram Temple on January 22 because they can still show their devotion to Lord Ram from the comfort of their home. All you have to do is light a diya or lamp digitally by using an app called Sri Mandir without having to visit Ayodhya. Devotees from all over the world can light a diya in their name as part of the Deepotsav initiative on the Sri Mandir app, lighting 1, 5, 11, or 21 lamps in Ayodhya to welcome Lord Rama.
Between January 18 and January 24, the Raj Dwar Temple in Ayodhya will host a week-long event during which the app will ignite over 100,000 lamps. In addition to the app, devotees can access Sri Mandir’s website. There is a section here called Ramotsav. You will see the option for “light Diyas in Ayodhya” when you click on this. You can choose between 1, 5, 11, and 21 lamps from this point on. The starting price for this digital service is Rs 51.
Earlier, the UP government launched the Holy Ayodhya mobile app to similarly allow devotees to light diyas digitally during the Deepotsav 2023 in November last year. The Ayodhya Development Authority (ADA) spearheaded the idea, enlisting the e-commerce startup shopclues.com to develop the app and oversee the project’s completion.
During the eighth Deepotsav on the eve of Diwali, over 22 lakh diyas were lit on the banks of the Saryu river in Ayodhya, creating a new Guinness World record for the most lamps lit simultaneously in one location.
But be warned that fraudulent activities have started taking place before the consecration process in Ayodhya on January 22. There are reports in the media that scammers are spreading a WhatsApp message wishing you well and promising you a VIP pass to the programme on January 22 at the Ram Temple. You must install one of the apps before you can use the pass. But neither the administration nor the Ram Mandir Trust has provided any such VIP pass. It is advised not to install any such app.
