Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that with just 11 days left ‘pran pratishtha’ at the Ram Temple, he will start a special ‘anushthan’ from today. In a message, he said it is his good fortune that he will be a witness to this auspicious occasion. He said God has chosen him as an instrument to represent all Indians during the 'Pran Pratishtha' exercise and that he is undertaking the special religious exercise keeping this in mind.

"I seek blessing from people," he said on X.

The prime minister posted an audio message, noting that it is difficult to articulate one's sentiments at this time but he is making an attempt. "I am emotional. First time in my life, I am experiencing such feelings," he said. 

In video audio message on the occasion, the Prime Minister noted that as per Hindu scriptures, the Pran Pratishtha of a deity’s idol is a detailed and comprehensive process and he will start the ritual of following Yama-Niyam for 11 days before consecration from Panchavati in Maharashtra’s Nashik.

“For this, detailed rules have been given which have to be followed several days before the Pran Pratishta…I would follow all the rules and penances on and before the day of Pran Pratistha with the same strictness as instructed in the scriptures from today,” he said.

This development comes in the backdrop of PM Modi's visit in Nashik today. He is set to inaugurate the 27th National Youth Festival and later launch development projects worth over Rs 30,500 crore in Maharashtra.

PM Modi will also inaugurate the Mumbai Trans-harbour Link (MTHL), now named 'Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewari-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu', constructed at a cost of over Rs 17,840 crore, a statement said earlier.

At a public event in Navi Mumbai, the prime minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones of various projects, including the underground road tunnel connecting Eastern Freeway's Orange Gate to Marine Drive. Modi will launch several rail projects as well.