As excitement builds globally ahead of the idol installation ceremony at the new Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22nd, giant billboards displaying Lord Ram and the majestic shrine have appeared across ten American states.The Vishwa Hindu Parishads US chapter, together with Hindu communities nationwide, has erected over 40 billboards so far in states like Texas, Illinois and New York. More are scheduled in Missouri and Arizona from Monday.Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) of America across the United States, placed more than 40 billboards displaying messages of the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha in Ayodhya on January 22. pic.twitter.com/gpqO25i5IQ— ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2024Ram Mandir billboards in USThe billboards have been displayed in Texas, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, and Georgia, among other states. Arizona and Missouri will also join these cities to celebrate the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at Ram Temple starting Monday, January 15.“The resounding message conveyed by these billboards is that Hindu Americans are elated and joyously participating in this once-in-a-lifetime event. Their emotions overflow as they eagerly await the auspicious day of the consecration ceremony,” said Amitabh Mittal, General Secretary of the Hindu Parishad of America.The Hindu diaspora has organised celebratory car rallies and other events ahead of the Pran Pratishtha attended by Prime Minister Modi.Vedic rituals for the Pran-Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Lalla in Ayodhya are set to begin a week ahead of the main ceremony from January 16.Indian envoy: Ramayan teaches complex human relationshipsSpeaking at a US Capitol Hill event titled Ramayana Across Asia and Beyond, Indian Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu remarked: “The epic gives insights into...the complexities of human relationships, governance and spirituality...and the eternal struggle between good and evil.”“The Ramayan is also a bridge across geographies...Stories from the epic are well known in many countries across Indo-Pacific, from Cambodia to Indonesia... The epic has been reimagined, retold, included in the artistic, literary, and religious traditions of various societies,” he elaborated.What step did Mauritius take for Ram Mandir celebrationMeanwhile in Mauritius, the Indian-origin-dominated government has granted Hindu public officers two hours of special leave to participate in Ayodhya events on January 22nd. Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and his cabinet issued an official statement on Friday, that read: (The) Cabinet has agreed to the grant of a one-off special leave of two hours on Monday 22 January 2024 from 1400 hours to public officers of Hindu faith, subject to exigencies of service, in the context of the inauguration of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir in India, which is a landmark event as it symbolises the return of Lord Ram in Ayodhya.As the Ram Temple takes shape, solidarity from expatriate communities worldwide spotlights how the episode holds profound meaning beyond Indias borders as well.
