With 11 days, an auspicious number in Hindu belief, left for the “Pran Pratishta” ceremony at Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will be leading the performance of the rituals, has started an 11-day-long rigorous fasting which includes “Yam Niyam”, involving regular prayers and Yoga.

The Prime Minister, in a message on Friday, gave this information to the people about following the rituals prescribed in the scriptures before performing the “Pran Pratistha” of the Ram Lalla on January 22.

“Only 11 days are left for the consecration of Ramlala in Ayodhya. I am fortunate that I will also be a witness to this auspicious occasion. The Lord has made me an instrument to represent all the people of India during the ceremony. Keeping this in mind, I am starting a special ritual of 11 days from today. I am seeking blessings from all the people,” the Prime Minister said, adding that it was very difficult to express his feelings in words at the historic occasion.

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," Modi said.

He referred to the rituals as “Yama Niyama” which are described as ethical guidelines, mentioned in the Gita and in Patanjali’s first two limbs among the eight limbs of Yoga. Yama, the first limb is about five ethical principles like ahimsa (non-violence), truthfulness, asteya (not stealing), brahmacharya (abstinence), and aparigraha (non accumulation) while Niyama, includes soucha or cleanliness inside and outside, santosha (contentment) tapas (penance), swadhyaya (self study and ishvarapranidhana (surrender to the divine, higher power).

The Prime Minister further said that part of the Yama Niyama would be a visit to Panchavati dham in Nashik in Maharashtra, where he is to visit on Friday, a place where Lord Rama, Goddess Sita and Laxmana spent much of their exile. “It is said that to partcipate in a ceremony like the consecration, one must try to feel a part of the divine force within oneself,” he said in his video.

Prime Minister Modi said that he had “no words” to describe his joy at the consecration of the Ram Temple.

Earlier Prime minister Modi had urged all to celebrate the consecration of the Ram Temple as Diwali in their own homes.

Prime Miniser Narendra Modi’s message of Friday shifted to the realm of a more religious observance, apart from the celebratory aspect of the consecration, as well as inauguration of big ticket projects in and around Ayodhya.