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AYODHYA: Ahead of the consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla Temple on January 22, 20 ‘Archakas’ (Priests) of the Ramanand sect will be selected for the proper worship of Ramlalla in the Shri Ram temple at Ayodhya. Traditionally, worship in Hindu temples is performed by priests, who are known as archakas.
“A total of 3,000 Vatuks (aspirants) had applied online to join the training scheme run by Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Out of these, 225 candidates were shortlisted and interviewed on the basis of merit,” said Govind Devagiri, Treasurer of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
“A two-day interview process was held to select the 20 Archakas. The candidates were interviewed on their knowledge of the Vedas, their ability to perform rituals, and their personal qualities,” added Govind Devagiri.
The selected Archakas will undergo a six-month training programme before they are appointed to the Shri Ram temple. The training programme will cover all aspects of temple worship, including the recitation of mantras, the performance of rituals, and the care of the temple idols.
In this two-day meeting, Treasurer of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust Govind Devagiri, Trust member Pejavarpeethadhishwar Vishwa Prasannatirtha, General Secretary Champat Rai, Religious Committee member Mithilesh Nandani Sharan, Acharya Ramanand Das, Satyanarayan Brahmachari, and Jaikant Sharma were also present.
Those selected in the interview will be given six months of training. After this, they will be appointed as per requirement.
The last date for online applications to join the training scheme run by Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra was October 31.
“A monthly honorarium of Rs 2,000 each will also be provided for six months of residential training. Their appointment will be as per requirements, but certificates will be provided to all the trainees. Those who interviewed the candidates included Vrindavan’s famous storyteller, Jaikant Mishra, Hanumat Niwas’s Mahant Acharya Mithilesh Nandini Sharan and Ramkunj Katha Mandap’s successor, Mahant Satyanarayan Das,” Mahant Govind Dev Giri, Treasurer of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, said.
