Ayodhya (UP), Dec 12 (PTI) The first anniversary of the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple here will be held on January 11 next year, temple trust chief Champat Rai said on Thursday.

The consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla idol in Ayodhya was held on January 22 this year.

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“The date for the (anniversary) celebrations is as per the Hindu traditions,” Rai, the general secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirtha Kshetra, told reporters here.

He also said that construction work is going on in the Ram Mandir complex for 18 new temples, including temples dedicated to Dashavatar, Sheshavatar, Nishadraj, Shabari, Ahalya, and Saint Tulsidas, among others.

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Rai stated that the work is progressing rapidly, and all developments are in line with the planned dates.

He denied rumours surrounding the 'prasad' offered to Ram Lalla. He clarified that for the past 30 years, “no prasad has been brought from outside to the premises of Ram temple”.

“Prasad distributed to devotees is prepared within the temple complex and is specifically designed to remain unspoiled for a long time," he added.

However, Rai said that some outside prasad, such as 'chhappan bhog', is only dedicated to Ram Lalla after thorough checking and care.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)