Prime Minister Narendra Modi is following strict rituals, known as the "Yam rules," for 11 days leading to the consecration of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir on January 22. These rituals aim to purify the mind and body through penance, meditation, and a special "satvik" diet without items like onions and garlic.

As per NDTV sources, PM Modi is sleeping on the floor with just a blanket and drinking only coconut water. The rituals began on January 12, focusing on a simple lifestyle and meditation.

In a message at the start of the rituals, Modi shared, "The Lord has made me an instrument to represent all the people of India during the consecration. Keeping this in mind, I am starting a special ritual of 11 days from today."

The Pran Pratistha, a vital ceremony to imbibe divine consciousness into the idol, is scheduled for January 22 at 12:30 pm. PM Modi is expected to lead the puja for the Pran Pratistha with guidance from a team of priests led by Lakshmikant Dixit.

The idol of Ram Lalla, representing Lord Ram at the age of five in black stone for the Pran Pratistha, sculpted by Mysuru sculptor Arun Yogiraj, weighs about 150-200 kg. It was brought to the temple and placed with the help of a crane during a procession. It was placed in the sanctorum sanctorum following a special puja ceremony.

A silver idol of Ramlalla (not the same one to be installed in the sanctum sanctorum), adorned with roses and marigolds, toured the Ram Mandir premises, giving a symbolic preview to the formal consecration.

NDTV reported that over 11,000 guests from India and abroad are invited to witness the historic consecration. The central government has declared a half-day closure for all its offices on the day of the ceremony.

In the run-up to the consecration, PM Modi encouraged people to organize cleanliness drives at temples nationwide. As part of this initiative, he personally cleaned the Kalaram Temple premises in Maharashtra's Nashik last week during the Swachchata Abhiyan (cleanliness drive).

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