Representational Image. (Photo: PTI/File)
Lucknow: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad has planned to organise ‘Ram Mahotsav’ in Ayodhya during ‘Navratri’ in March. This is the first time that such an event is being organised in Ayodhya. VHP media in-charge Sharad Sharma said on Thursday that the Ram Mahotsav will be held on the lines of the Durga Puja and will begin on March 21 and culminate on ‘Ram Navmi’ on March 28.
“The main Ram Mahotsav will be held in Ayodhya but similar events will be held in every village across the country. We plan to reach 1.5 lakh to 2 lakh villages across the country. In Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, we will make special efforts to reach each and every village. This has been designed to give impetus to the Ram temple movement,” he said on phone.
Lord Ram, Sita and Laxman will be worshiped for the entire period of the Mahotsav and recitation of ‘Ramayana’ will be held alongside. The VHP wants to put the Ram Mahotsav at par with the Durga Puja and the Ganesh Utsav which are held with religious fervor in the country.
“At the culmination of the Mahotsav, Hindus will be required to take a pledge for construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya,” Mr Sharma said.
The VHP, apparently, wants to mount pressure on the Modi government for temple construction and is planning to play the Hindutva card.