The vacancies were advertised by Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The Trust has shortlisted 200 candidates on the basis of merit for the interview.

The interviews are being held at Karsevakpuram in the temple town. The three-member interview panel comprises Hindu preacher from Vrindavan, Jaykant Mishra, and two Mahants from Ayodhya - Mithilesh Nandini Sharan and Satyanarayan Das.

The Trust will finally select 20 candidates for the job. The selected candidates will be appointed as priests at different posts in the Ram Janmabhoomi complex after six months of residential training.

The non-selected, but shortlisted, candidates who will attend the training will be given certificates and will have a chance to be called for the post of priests to be created in the future, said Govind Dev Giri, treasurer of the Ram Mandir Trust.

Candidates are being asked tough questions about the procedure of different pujas during the interview. Some of these included 'Sandhya Vandan', its procedures and mantras, special mantras and 'karma kand' regarding the worship of Lord Ram, etc, said Giri.

The selected 20 candidates will go through six months of training to be held at Karsevakpuram that has offices of several Hindu organisations, including the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP).

The training will be based on the religious syllabus prepared by the top seers. During the training, the candidates will be provided free food and lodging facility. They will also be given Rs 2,000 each as the monthly stipend.

Source: The Times Of India