How Madhya Pradesh is planning to mark Ram Mandir opening

Madhya Pradesh was one of the four states where the BJP was in power and where the government was dismissed in the aftermath of the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992. Now, the state where the BJP returned to power in December after receiving an overwhelming mandate is gearing up for the inauguration of the Ram Temple on January 22.

From five lakh laddoos made in Ujjain’s Mahakaleshwar Temple to religious programmes in temples across the state, the state government has stepped up preparations for the consecration ceremony of the Ram Lalla idol. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said Madhya Pradesh would not be left behind in the celebrations. “Two thousand years ago, King Vikramaditya helped build the Ram Mandir. That temple was demolished 500 years ago by Babur, so how can Madhya Pradesh stay behind when the temple is being consecrated?” he said.

The Mahakaleshwar Temple administration said they had started working on producing 250 quintals of laddoos following the CM’s instructions. Officials said it would “take about five days to prepare the consignment and around three to five trucks will have to be arranged to deliver the prasad to Ayodhya”. The temple administration said 100 people would be employed to pack the boxes of laddoos.

The CM said people from the state would be sent to Ayodhya for darshan on specific dates provided by the Centre. The government has had its focus on the Ram Mandir ceremony since it was sworn in. In his first Cabinet meeting, the CM announced that the state would welcome Ram devotees on their way to Ayodhya for the ceremony. At multiple events, he has spoken about the “sacrifices kar sevaks from the state” made during the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and tied its history to the