The Pran Pratishtha or consecration ceremony at Ayodhya Ram Mandir on January 22 is almost like a national celebration and Gujarat is leading the festivities along with the Uttar Pradesh town, which has been the centre of news for the last few months.
To add to the festive spirit, various markets in old Ahmedabad, including the Manek Chowk Choksi Mahajan, the Ratan Pol Sona Chandi Dagina Mahajan and the Ahmedabad Electrical Merchants and Contractors’ Association, have declared a holiday on this day.
The culmination of the rituals is scheduled for Jan 22, featuring a grand ceremony presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attended by several VVIPs.
The Ahmedabad Vepari Mahajan, the apex body of several trade associations in the city, has called upon local trade associations to observe a holiday and partake in celebrations.
Harshad Giletwala, president of Ahmedabad Vepari Mahajan, said, “Ahmedabad is home to at least 60 trade associations. We have appealed to them to declare a voluntary holiday on Monday, Jan 22, and keep the shops closed. This occasion is being celebrated across 100+ countries, so people must observe the holiday and light an earthen lamp in their homes.”
The Manek Chowk Choksi Mahajan has declared a holiday to mark the occasion. Nikhil Patel, secretary of Ahmedabad Electrical Merchants and Contractors Association, said, “Every shopkeeper has been requested to decorate their shops as if it is Diwali, keep the market closed, observe a holiday, and light lamps at home.”
The association, with several shops along Gandhi Road and other parts of Ahmedabad, plans to decorate the entire Gandhi Road.
Some trade associations, including Madhupura Spice Merchants Market, are still deliberating on a decision. Meanwhile, the Maskati Cloth Merchants Association will organise a celebration to mark the occasion and decorate shops.
