The small village of Sarairasi, which lies on the outskirts of the temple town of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh is home to the “Suryavanshis,” who believe they are the descendants of Lord Ram. And all of them are quietly preparing for the significant “Pran Pratishtha” ritual that is scheduled to take place on January 22.
What Preparations Are Being Carried Out In The Village?
Men are spotted in the local market purchasing “Nagra” shoes and multicoloured turbans, and women are making hurried purchases. Sarairasi is completely submerged in celebration, yet its muddy courtyards are freshly cemented with cow dung and clay, and it’s painted houses and vibrant ‘rangolis’ give it a clean, crisp appearance.
People in this area said that January 22 would not only be the day of “Pran Pratistha,” but also the conclusion of their ancestors’ 500-year-old pledge to refrain from wearing leather shoes, turbans, and umbrellas until Lord Ram is reinstalled in the temple’s “Garbhagriha,” or sanctum sanctorum.
“Whether marriage or any other occasion, none of us sported a turban, considered to be the pride of the people belonging to the Thakur community, in the last 500 years. January 22 will be a historic day for all of us and other Suryavanshis of Ayodhya. It’s the day when the 500-year-old pledge, taken by our ancestors to not use an umbrella, wear a turban and leather shoes, will finally get over,”, according to Shiv Vijay Singh, also known as Nawab Singh. Singh asserts that he is the 11th-generation descendant of Thakur Gajraj Singh, the Suryavanshi, who was the first to take this pledge.
On the other hand, Thakur Gajraj Singh’s descendants complained that they were not invited to the Pran Pratishtha event at Ayodhya on January 22. We are disappointed that we were not invited to the Pran Pratishtha ceremony despite the sacrifices made by our forefathers. However, we are pleased that the same goal for which our forefathers made the ultimate sacrifice of their lives is being fulfilled,” stated Vijay Singh.
The village’s residents stated that January 22 will be their Holi and Diwali day. In addition to the Sarairasi group, the Suryavanshi community from over 115 villages in and surrounding Ayodhya has also prepared for the “Pran Pratishtha” in a unique manner.
