Once the anjan has been applied and the deity’s eyes have opened, it has ‘come to life’ and can now receive devotees.

Where are these steps mentioned?

The process of the pran pratishtha is mentioned in the Vedas and elaborated upon in various Puranas, such as Mastya Puran, Vaman Puran, Narad Puran, etc.

Is there an idol that does not need pran pratishtha?

Jha said two divine objects — the Shaligram found in the Gandki river, and the Narmadeshwar, a shivling found in the Narmada river, do not need pran pratishtha, for they carry divinity within them.

Can pran pratishtha be held in an incomplete temple?

According to Dipakbhai, the idol should ideally be brought to life before a temple’s construction is completely finished. Only the garbha griha, or the sanctum sanctorum, needs to be fully ready before pran pratishtha.