Ram Mandir 1st Anniversary 2025: Why is it celebrated on 11 January instead of 22 January? Know Reason Here

The Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, is a symbol of faith, devotion and perseverance for millions of Hindus.

The temple was inaugurated on January 22, 2024 in a grand ceremony attended by devotees and dignitaries. It marked the culmination of decades of legal and political battles over the site.

Interestingly, the anniversary of Ram Temple falls on January 11th every year and not January 22nd. The reason lies in the auspicious Hindu calendar.

According to the Hindu Chronicle, the Pratishtha Mahotsav or consecration ceremony was held on January 11, 2024, officially marking the sanctity of the temple.

According to Hindu tradition, this day has spiritual significance rather than the Gregorian calendar date of temple inauguration.

This practice reflects the temple’s celebrations’ deep connection with Hindu culture and astrology, emphasizing the importance of tradition over modern calendar systems.

Check Out | Mahakumbh 2025: Start Date, Kumbh Mela Types, Website, Tent Booking and Other Details

Why is the first anniversary of Ram Mandir on January 11?

The Pran Pratishtha (consecration) anniversary of the Rama temple will be celebrated on January 11, 2025 instead of January 22, in line with the Hindu lunar calendar. The original consecration ceremony was held on January 22, 2024, a day designated as Kurma Dwadashi according to the Hindu Panchang (calendar).

To celebrate the anniversary, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has chosen to celebrate on Paush Shukla Dwadashi on January 11 this year. The decision reflects the traditional Hindu practice of celebrating festivals according to specific lunar dates rather than fixed Gregorian dates.

The celebrations will be held from January 11 to 13, 2025, and include various rituals, prayers and cultural activities to engage devotees and saints in honoring Lord Ram. The change in dates emphasizes the importance of keeping in tune with auspicious tithis (dates) in the Hindu calendar, which varies every year.

Why Dwadashi was chosen as Lord Ram’s anniversary?

Paush Shukla Dwadashi is also known as Kurma Dwadashi, commemorating the Kurma (turtle) incarnation of Lord Vishnu during the Samudra Manthan (the churning of the ocean). Dwadashi is traditionally associated with the guardian god Vishnu in the Hindu trinity.

This year Kurma Dwadashi (also known as Paush Shukla Dwadashi) falls on January 11, 2025. Last year, it happened on January 22, 2024.

Lord Rama is considered to be the seventh incarnation of Vishnu and celebrating the anniversary on this day invokes divine blessings and is in keeping with the spiritual nature of Lord Rama’s worship.

This day falls on Shukla Paksha, the waxing phase of the moon, which symbolizes growth, prosperity and positive energy. In Hindu tradition, this moon phase is considered very auspicious for new beginnings and important rituals.

According to Hindu tradition, King Dasharatha performed rituals at Devadash to seek blessings for his son, who eventually became Lord Rama. This historical connection adds to the importance of observing events related to Lord Ram on this lunar day.

For You | How much does Ram Mandir Ayodhya cost to construct? View details here

What is the significance of Paush Shukla Dwadashi in the first Pran Pratishtha anniversary of Ram Lalla?

The Paush Shukla Dwadashi celebrated on January 11, 2025 holds great significance for the first anniversary of the Pran Pratishtha (consecration) ceremony of Ram Mandir. This day is particularly auspicious for several reasons:

1. Alignment with Hindu tradition

Lunar Significance: This anniversary is Paush Shukla Dwadashi, which corresponds to the eleventh day of the bright fortnight of the month of Pausha according to the Hindu lunar calendar. This consistency is crucial because Hindu festivals and rituals are often based on lunar dates rather than fixed Gregorian dates.

2. Connection to primitive rituals

Same Auspicious Day: The original Pran Pratishtha ceremony was held on January 22, 2024, which also fell on Dwadashi day. By celebrating the anniversary of Paush Shukla Dwadashi, the event maintains continuity with its roots and emphasizes its spiritual significance.

3. Spiritual Opportunities

Fulfillment of devotees’ wishes: It is believed that worshiping Lord Rama on this day fulfills the deepest wishes of the devotees, making it a spiritually enriching occasion. This day provides devotees with a rare opportunity to perform puja and seek the blessings of Lord Ram Lalla.

4. Cultural and community engagement

Grand Celebrations: Celebrations from January 11 to 13 will include various ceremonies, cultural performances and public gatherings, inviting saints, dignitaries and thousands of devotees to attend. This fosters a sense of unity and dedication among participants.

What special events are planned for the Ram Mandir anniversary?

The first anniversary celebrations of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya will be held from January 11 to 13, 2025, with a grand scale and wide-ranging activities. Here are the main activities planned for this momentous occasion:

Important events schedule

The main events of Ram Mandir’s first anniversary are as follows:

January 11, 2025

  • Inauguration: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will perform Abhishek (ritual anointing) of the idol of Ram Lalla at 10 am to This kicked off the event. This will involve anointing with Panchamrit and Saryu water.
  • Maha Aarti: After Abhishek, the grand Maha Aarti will be held at 12:20 pm, which is an important occasion for devotees.
  • Cultural Programs: The day will feature various cultural performances and devotional rituals, including Ram Katha classes starting at 2 pm.
  • Prasad Distribution: Devotees receive prasad every morning throughout the celebrations.

Subsequent days (January 12-13)

  • Daily rituals and cultural activities will continue, including more Ram Katha classes and spiritual lectures at Ramcharitmanas.
  • The celebrations will include chanting of 600,000 Shri Ram mantras, recitation of sacred scriptures such as Hanuman Chalisa, and performances at designated venues such as Yagna Mandap and Angad Tila.

Location and participation

  • Angad Tila has erected a special German hangar tent that can accommodate up to 5,000 people to allow ordinary believers to participate in the celebrations. This inclusivity is intended to appeal to those who were unable to attend last year’s consecration ceremony.
  • Around 110 VIPs and thousands of ordinary people were invited to attend the Angad Tila event.

Discovery | Ram Temple, Ayodhya: What Guinness World Records were set during the inauguration of Ram Temple?

What is the role of Paush Shukla Dwadashi in the Hindu tradition?

Paush Shukla Dwadashi holds great religious significance in the Hindu tradition, especially for the devotees of Lord Vishnu. Here are the key aspects of its importance:

1. Religious Ceremony

  • Fasting and Worship: Paush Shukla Dwadashi is observed as a day of fasting during which devotees seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. It is believed that fasting brings comfort and contentment to life and relieves all kinds of suffering.
  • End of Ekadashi fast: This day marks the end of the three-day Ekadashi fast, which begins on Dashami (the tenth lunar day). Dwadashi is considered an auspicious occasion to revere the sacred Tulsi tree and worship Vishnu.

2. Cultural significance

  • Mythological background: The festival has its origins in mythological stories, such as the story of King Suktuman and Queen Shavya, who were blessed with a child after observing fasts. These stories emphasize the importance of this day for couples trying to have a baby.

3. Time and calendar background

  • Lunar Alignment: Paush Shukla Dwadashi falls on the eleventh day of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the Indian lunar month of Pausha, corresponding to the months of December to January in the Gregorian calendar.

4. Details of Pan Chang on January 11, 2025

1.Tithi (lunar day):

  • Dwadashi (Day 11 of the bright fortnight) until 8:22 am.
  • Trayodashi (Day 12) begins thereafter and lasts until January 12, 2025 at 6:34 AM.
  • Date: Saturday
  • Month: Paush (Pausha), Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight)

2. Constellations:

  • Rohini continues till 12:29 pm and then moves to Mrigashira.
  • Sunrise and sunset:
  • Sunrise: 7:14 AM
  • Sunset: 5:43 pm

3. Yoga:

  • Shukla Yoga continues until 11:48am, then transitions to another type of yoga.
  • Karana:
  • Balav is open till 8:22 am and then proceed to Kaulav.