Ayodhya: Bhoomi Pujan of Ram Temple could be held via Video-conferencing

The much-publicized Bhumi pujan for starting the construction of the grand Ram Temple at Ayodhya could be held through video-conferencing. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat were slated to grace the occasion, but now, it is expected that they will only participate through video conferencing.

Earlier, it was reported that the date of bhumi pujan could be extended due to lockdown, but the Ramjanambhoomi Tirath Kshetra Trust is now re-considering. Trust's General Secretary Champat Rai said that they are considering several options and holding the pujan through video-conferencing was one of them.

"We can hold a small function through video conferencing now and when the situation normalises, we can go for a big programme," said Mr Rai. Though the Trust has not officially announced April 30 as the date for Bhumi Pujan, but preparation had started for it long back. April 30 is an auspicious day of the Hindu calendar, which is Baishakh Shukl Saptami, and the saints are eager to do the bhumi pujan on that day.

On March 25, the idols of Ram Lalla and others were shifted to a new makeshift temple in presence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, clearing the area for a grand Ram temple.