NEW DELHI: Parallel to the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya, elaborate ceremonies including pujas were held in Delhi and various states. Ceremonies were telecasted live on big screens at various venues. BJP leaders including Union Minister Amit Shah participated in various functions in Delhi. Party president JP Nadda was in Ayodhya. Other leaders will arrive in the next few days.

In most places, the BJP organized the functions, but in Delhi, the Aam Aadmi Party's Shobhayatra and Bhandara (food donation) stood out. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal attended the events. Markets and roads in Delhi were decorated with flowers, flags and balloons. Kallara Manoj led the Shanti Homam organized by Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam New Delhi branch at New Ranjit Nagar, Patel Nagar. Residents associations also organized programs.

A special langar (food donation) was organized in Amritsar under the leadership of Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal. A huge 10,000 square feet rangoli of Lord Rama was prepared at Sion Koliwada in Mumbai. Light decoration with earthen lamps was done at Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar to celebrate 'Pranapratishtha'.

The cities of Kanpur, Lucknow, Agra, Varanasi, Meerut and Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh were decorated with orange balloons, flags and flowers. People sang bhajans and danced on the roads. Prasadam was distributed by trade associations.

Five-century wait is over: Shah

Amit Shah said that with the unveiling of the Ramalalla idol, five centuries of waiting and promise has been fulfilled. It is an unforgettable day for crores of Rama devotees. Shah also noted on X that this feeling cannot be captured in words.