Why is PM Modi sleeping on floor and drinking only coconut water?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a series of commemorative postage stamps on Ayodhya's Ram Mandir on Thursday (18 January). The grand temple is set for inauguration next week.The prime minister also released a book featuring stamps from around the world honouring Hindu deity Lord Ram. “Today, I got an opportunity to engage myself in another programme related to the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha ceremony. Today, six postage stamps dedicated to the Ram Temple were released. Besides, a book of stamps issued on Lord Ram around the world was also released,” Modi said.PM Modi, who is the chief guest at the grand temple opening on 22 January, is currently observing a set of special rituals or 'anushthan'. Let’s take a closer look.What’s PM Modi doing for 11-day anushthan?As part of his 11-day anushthan that began on 12 January, Modi is strictly following the “Yama Niyama”.Under this, the PM is sleeping on the floor with just a blanket and having only coconut water, sources told NDTV.As per an earlier News18 report, Modi was to keep a fast with strict penance as a ritual during the anushthan. The 11-day rituals also entail purifying the mind and body with meditation and including a special “Satvik” diet which bars consuming onion, garlic and several other items, reported NDTV.Announcing the beginning of this anushthan, PM Modi had said in an over 10-minute audio message on X last Friday that “only 11 days are left for the consecration of Ram Lalla 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 consecration. Keeping this in mind, I am starting a special ritual of 11 days from today. I am seeking blessings from all the people. At this moment, it is very difficult to express my feelings in words, but I have tried from my side.”The PM had kickstarted his anushthan at Panchvati in Maharashtra’s Nashik. He visited the famous Shree Kalaram temple in the holy town last Friday, where he had the “profound experience of hearing verses from the Bhavarth Ramayana written in Marathi by Sant Eknath Ji, eloquently narrating Prabhu Shri Ram's triumphant return to Ayodhya”.He also visited temples in Kerala and Andhra Pradesh in these past few days.What are Yama Niyama?As per The Hindu report, Yama Niyama are ethical guidelines mentioned in the Gita and in Patanjali’s first two limbs of Yoga.While Yama describes five ethical practices such as ahimsa (non-violence), truthfulness, asteya (not stealing), brahmacharya (abstinence), and aparigraha (non-accumulation), Niyama talks about soucha or cleanliness, santosha or contentment, tapas (penance), swadhyaya (self-study and ishvarapranidhana (surrender to the divine, higher power), the newspaper report added.PM Modi already follows several disciplines, including waking up before an auspicious time before sunrise, meditating and including Satvik food in his daily diet, India Today reported citing officials.Ram Temple openingThe Pran Pratistha or consecration ceremony of the Ram Mandir is expected to see thousands of pilgrims and tourists from across India and the world visit Ayodhya.Shri Ram Mandir Construction Committee Chairperson Nripendra Mishra said on Wednesday that the 'Shubh Muhurt' or auspicious time for the grand ceremony is 12.30 pm on 22 January.The idol of Ram Lalla, sculpted by Mysuru-based artist Arun Yogiraj, has been installed in the sanctum sanctorum on Thursday. It was brought inside the Ram temple a day before.A team of priests led by Lakshmikant Dixit will perform the main rituals of the consecration ceremony. PM Modi will be the main "yajman" at the Pran Pratistha, Dixit told PTI.Several rituals as per Hindu scriptures are being held in the run-up to the consecration ceremony. "The 'anushthan' has started and will continue till 22 January, the day of the consecration ceremony. Eleven priests are performing the rituals invoking all goddesses and gods," Ram temple chief priest Satyendra Das had previously said.With inputs from agencies