A Ghaziabad student, Mohit Pandey, has been chosen to serve as a priest at the upcoming Ram Temple in Ayodhya. After spending seven years at Dudheshwar Ved Vidyapeeth, Pandey continued his education in Tirupati. His selection comes after a rigorous process that involved interviewing 3,000 applicants, with only 50 ultimately chosen for the prestigious position. Before officially assuming his duties, Pandey will undergo a comprehensive six-month training program.
The recruitment drive, overseen by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, saw an overwhelming response, with 3,000 candidates vying for the position. The Trust meticulously shortlisted 200 candidates based on merit for the interview process. The three-member interview panel, comprising Hindu preacher Jaykant Mishra and Mahants Mithilesh Nandini Sharan and Satyanarayan Das from Ayodhya, is tasked with selecting the final 20 candidates for the coveted priestly roles.
The interviews, held at Karsevakpuram in Ayodhya, involve rigorous questioning about various puja procedures, including ‘Sandhya Vandan,’ mantras, and specific rituals related to the worship of Lord Ram. Non-selected candidates who make it through the shortlisting process will be granted certificates and may be considered for future priest positions. Govind Dev Giri, the treasurer of the Ram Mandir Trust, confirmed this opportunity for the candidates.
The chosen 20 candidates will undergo six months of training at Karsevakpuram, where they will delve into a religious syllabus crafted by esteemed seers. The training includes free accommodation and meals, along with a monthly stipend of Rs 2,000 for each participant. As Ayodhya prepares for the construction of the Ram Temple, the selection and training of dedicated priests like Mohit Pandey reflect the careful and considered approach taken by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in shaping the religious landscape of this revered site.