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Ahead of the much-awaited Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Lord Ram in Ayodhya in less than a week, Union Minister Meenakashi Lekhi on Thursday said that next year will be celebrated as Ramayan Utsav across the globe.
The Union Minister said this at the inauguration of the seventh edition of India International Ramayan Mela at the Purana Qila in the national capital. Talking to the reporters, Meenakashi Lekhi said, "There are a lot of new things to see and learn in this festival. Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has made a very good curation. There are performances and exhibitions from 7 countries." The Union Minister said that the Ramayan connects people from various countries. "Our culture impacted distant areas in the olden times. Ramayan connects all the people in this region. Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos, etc., are the countries which are connected with India. These countries are not only geographically or historically connected but also culturally. The next year would be celebrated as 'Ramayan Utsav' across the globe," Lekhi said. She further said that the cultural activities are set to unfold at places associated with the Ramayana, including Sitamarhi in Bihar, Hampi in Karnataka, and Kanniyakumari in Tamil Nadu. Expressing happiness after inaugurating the Ramayana Mela, the Union Minister said that the mela celebrates the vibrant cultural expressions of Ramayana traditions. "Delighted to inaugurate the 7th edition of the India International Ramayana Mela 2024 organised by ICCR during the 'Year of connecting the World through Ramayana -2024' today at Purana Qila, New Delhi. The mela celebrates the vibrant cultural expressions of Ramayana traditions and is an amalgamation of art, dance and history influenced by the Indian epic across the world," Lekhi posted on X. Sharing pictures from the Mela, she posted, "Engage in painting, pottery, and yoga workshops from 11.00 am till 5.00 PM from January 18 to January 21, 2024 at Purana Qila, New Delhi. Today from 5 pm onwards, be a part of two spectacular cultural performances- (i) "Ram Ki Shakti Puja" - a mesmerizing Ramayana Dance Drama led by Vyomesh Shukla from India. (ii) "Phra-Lak Phra-Lam" - a captivating Ramayana performance by the Luang Prabang Royal Ballet Theatre group from Lao PDR." Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will preside over the ceremonial installation of Shri Ram Lalla inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. Earlier, in the month, PM Modi announced a special 11-day 'anushthan' (ritual) ahead of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at Ayodhya's Ram Temple. (ANI)
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