Meat, liquor shops to remain closed in Jaipur on Jan 22; Govt announces half-day leave

JAIPUR: On the day of the consecration of Ram temple in Ayodhya, non-veg shops will be closed across Rajasthan. This decision was made by the department of local bodies (DLB). The closure applies to all Municipal Corporations and Municipal Councils in the state on January 22.

Liquor shops have also been ordered to remain closed statewide on January 14. A half-day holiday had been announced for January 22 during the first cabinet meeting under Bhajan Lal government.

The officials said that all slaughterhouses and meat fish shops will be shut down on January 22 throughout Rajasthan due to Lord Shri Ram’s life consecration at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya. Non-veg shops will close at 10 pm on January 21 and reopen on the morning of January 23.

The countrywide celebration of Lord Ramlala’s consecration ceremony is scheduled for January 22 in Ayodhya. In Rajasthan, special events will take place in both government and private temples across the state. The Devasthan Department has instructed district collectors to arrange live telecasts of Pran Pratishtha at their respective temples.

According to orders from the Deputy Government Secretary of the department, special decorations, lighting, and puja ceremonies will occur in all temples statewide during Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha Mahotsav on January 22. Screens displaying live broadcasts from Ayodhya will be installed at every temple. Hanuman Chalisa should also be recited along with Satsang or Sundar Kand while distributing Prasad after special aarti.

Local bodies and Panchayati Raj institutions have been directed to make these arrangements in private temples within cities and at Panchayat levels. For government temples located at district headquarters or larger private temples, instructions have been given to organize arrangements through sub-divisional officers or collectors.