The holy Ayodhya, which is associated with Lord Rama, holds great spiritual, historical and cultural significance for people across India, especially devotees of Sanatan Dharma. Mohit Pandey, the appointed priest of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, hails from Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh. He is currently pursuing his MA in the Vedic Department, Sri Venkateshwara Vedic University, Tirupati. His appointment as the priest of the Ram temple is based on his deep knowledge of the scriptures and knowledge of the Vedic tradition. The process of selecting priests for the Ram temple involved inviting applications, and around 3,000 applied for the post. After thorough screening, 50 priests, including Mohit Pandey, were selected for direct interviews. The finalists were selected considering their expertise in Vedic, scriptural and Sanskrit studies, which gave them a deep connection with the Ramanandi tradition. Mohit Pandey, who was appointed as pastor, underwent six months of training before being appointed. Currently, he is studying in the Samaveda department, expressing his determination to further his knowledge of Vedic knowledge.
The process of selecting priests for the Ram temple involved inviting applications, and around 3,000 applied for the post. After thorough screening, 50 priests, including Mohit Pandey, were selected for direct interviews. The finalists were selected considering their expertise in Vedic, scriptural and Sanskrit studies, which gave them a deep connection with the Ramanandi tradition. Mohit Pandey, who was appointed as pastor, underwent six months of training before being appointed. Currently, he is studying in the Samaveda department, expressing his determination to further his knowledge of Vedic knowledge.
Acharya Satyendra Das: Chief Priest of Ram Temple
Acharya Satyendra Das, 83, will also be one of the chief priests of the Ayodhya Ram temple along with Mohit Pandey. He served as the head priest of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple for the last 31 years. About nine months before the Babri Masjid was demolished in 1992, Acharya Satyendra Das performed the Ramlal puja and assumed the role of priest It is alleged that in 1992, when he was appointed to serve at the Ram Janmabhoomi temple, he received a salary of Rs. Acharya Satyendra Das wanted to become a saint and left his home in 1958 for Ayodhya.
Salary Details:
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust recently increased the salaries of the priests. In October, the chief priest’s salary was raised from ₹25,000 to ₹32,900, while assistant priests saw an increase from ₹20,000 to ₹31,000 per month.
Mohit Pandey’s appointment as a priest for the Ayodhya Ram Temple underscores the significance of preserving and honoring the ancient traditions associated with Lord Rama. As the grand temple nears completion, the chosen priests, including Mohit Pandey, will play a pivotal role in conducting the divine ceremonies and upholding the sanctity of this revered site.
