PM Modi inaugrated today the Ayodhya Ram Mandir
PM Modi inaugrated today the ‘Ayodhya Ram temple’, believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama, one of the main God (diety) followed specially by Hindus, in a spectacular celebration. PM Modi showered flower petals on the workers in Ayodhya Ram Mandir, Uttar Pradesh. He lovingly sprinkles flowers on the idol of Jatayu at the Ram Temple premises. Additionally, he also seeks blessings from the Sadhus (monks).
The ground breaking ceremony (bhumi pujan) for the commencement of the construction of Ram Mandir was performed on 5 August 2020 by PM Narendra Modi and today in just less than 4 years, the temple has got inaugrated by him in a grand festival like celebration spreading not only bigger part of India but many many countries. PM Modi also ended his 11-days fast today with mixed emotions.
Why 22 Jan 2024 is selected for Ram Ayodhya temple inaugration?
As per Pandit Ganeshwar Shastri (the astrologer and saint in Varanasi) who fixed the date, January 22 is the “best mahurat” (best day for inaugration) for many years to come and such an auspicious date won’t return again until 2026. By most of the hindus who follows their traditions, any auspicious event is done as per the Panchang, the Hindu calendar, basis which it is the best day today for inaugration.
Majority of the saints welcomed the idea for conducting the consecration ceremonies (Pran Pratishtha) of the Lord Ram idol in the Ram Ayodhya temple citing readiness of the sanctum sanctorum (Garbhagriha) with all the doors, walls and a ceiling.
However, there are few saints who opposed the idea of temple inaugration before the completion of the Ram Ayodhya temple construction.
World’s largest colossal lamp diva illuminated as part of the celebration
In a remarkable display to the celebrations on this auspicious event, the world’s largest lamp, standing at an impressive 300 feet, was illuminated on 19th Jan i.e. Friday evening, adding a dazzling touch to the festivities. This colossal lamp, comprised of 125 kgs of cotton and 21k litres of oil, with 300 feet height stands world’s largest of its kind. The materials used, including soil and water from different regions across the country, as well as cow’s ghee, create a unique blend representing unity and sacredness.
Specificities and Architecture of the Ram Ayodhya temple
Sompuras created the initial design for Ram Mandir in 1988 and later in 2020 made some changes from the original to incorporate the Vastu shastra and the Shilpa shastras. The temple will be 250 ft i.e. 76 metres wide, 380 ft i.e. 120 metres long and 161 ft i.e. 49 metres in height.
The temple’s main structure has been built on a raised platform with three storeys. It has five mandapas in the middle of the sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha) and on the entrance passage. Three mandapas on one side are of Kudu, Nritya and Rang, and the two mandapas on the other side are of Kirtan and Prarthana.
The temple has a total of 366 columns. The columns have 16 idols each to include the incarnations of Lord Shiva, the 10 Dashavataras, the Chausath Yoginis, and the 12 incarnations of the goddess Saraswati. The temple is to be developed into a complex with a prayer hall, a lecture hall, an educational facility and other facilities including a museum and a cafeteria. According to the temple committee, the site has a capability to handle 70,000 visitors.
Controversies were the past now in Ayodhya
The past of temple is full of controversies. Babri Mosque was demolished by a Hindu nationalist Mob on 06th Dec 992, leading to riots, killing over 3000 people. The demolition of the mosque resulted in several months of inter-communal violence between India’s Hindu and Muslim communities. As per various reports, Hindu temples in Pakistan and Bangladesh were also attacked.
After years of title and legal dispute, on 09th Nov 2019, in a historic judgement by Supreme Court of India ordered the disputed land (2.77 acres) to be handed over to a trust (to be created by the government of India) to build the Ram Janmabhoomi (revered as the birthplace of Hindu deity, Rama) temple. In addition to this, the court also ordered the government to give an alternative 5 acres of land in another place to the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board for the purpose of building a mosque as a replacement for the demolished Babri Masjid. Ranjan Gogoi was heading the bench and was also the Chief Justice of India at the time of decision.
Important quotes of PM Modi during consecration
After completing the consecration ceremony of the newly built Ram temple today, PM Modi said that Ram Lalla (child form of Lord Rama) will now stay in a grand temple and not in a tent any more.
He also said that January 22, 2024, is not just a date, but the beginning of a new era. The construction of Ram Mandir has filled people with new energy. Ram not the dispute, Ram is the solution.
Celebrations in USA upon Ram Temple inaugration in India
Car rally from Newark to iconic Golden Gate Bridge, with around 1000 cars, more than 2200 people drove 225 kms to celebrate the auspicious moments of Lord Ram temple inaugration in India today. Enthusiastic participants, bearing saffron banners featuring the image of the Ram temple, took part in a massive car rally in the Bay Area.
The celebrations got concluded a splendid Tesla car sound and light show (with over 300 cars ) organized by VHP. Digital billboard vehicles displaying various scenes through images from the Ramayana (the holy book of Hindus) along with the image of Lord Rama and the grand Ram temple built in Ayodhya well proved the higher level of excitement during celebrations in USA, despite the fact that wind chill was below freezing.
The grand celebrations were seen in New York’s iconic Times Square building, where the Indian diaspora assembled to illuminate the renowned location in honor of the Ram Temple inaugration ceremony. Participants joined in the traditional saffron dresses, celebrated by dancing and singing bhajans and other spiritual songs.
Reports of celebrations are largely covered by Main, Print and Social media at worldwide level after the remarkable celebrations took place in many countries or parts of the world.
