NEW DELHI: Indications are that Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself will carry the main idol to be installed inside the sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha) at the Ayodhya Ram Temple, on January 22. Deviating from protocol, the Prime Minister will take the idol to the garbhagriha by walking a distance of 500 meters from the temporary place where the idol has been installed at present. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will also accompany him. It is reported that prominent people including RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat will attend the function.

The Prime Minister will also be the 'yajman' (host organising Hindu religious ceremony) of the 'Pran Pratishtha' Puja (ceremony performed before the idol opens its eyes for the first time) between 11.30 am and 12.30 pm. Prominent tantris from different parts of the country will participate in the puja. Along with the main idol, another five-foot-tall idol will be installed inside the sanctum sanctorum.

The idol will be bathed with water from Sarayu and other holy rivers and will then be symbolically taken out from within the city of Ayodhya. The consecration ceremonies will begin after Makar Sankranti.