Ayodhya: The Ram Temple in Ayodhya opened its doors to the public this morning, following a momentous consecration ceremony led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attended by various political figures and celebrities.
Ayodhya ram temple
Before the inauguration, a massive crowd gathered in front of the temple, with devotees arriving as early as 3 am. The public can visit the temple from 7 am to 11:30 am and then again from 2 pm to 7 pm.
Yesterday, the ‘pran pratishtha’ rituals took place, featuring PM Modi bowing before the Ram Lalla idol. Dignitaries present included Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.
Expressing his emotions on Twitter, Prime Minister Modi shared, “The extraordinary moment of the consecration of Shri Ram Lalla’s life in Ayodhya Dham is going to leave everyone emotional. It is my great pleasure to be a part of this divine programme. Jai Siya Ram!”
Post-ritual, PM Modi addressed a gathering of approximately 8,000, comprising seers, individuals linked to the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, and celebrities. The Prime Minister also visited Kuber Tila and interacted with those involved in the temple’s construction.
While the ceremony was broadcast nationwide, senior BJP leaders like JP Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah observed it through live streaming. Opposition leaders chose not to attend, with the run-up marked by political disagreements, the Opposition terming it an “RSS-BJP event.”
Several BJP-run states declared the day a holiday to enable people to witness the ceremony on TV and participate in local temple events. Ayodhya’s atmosphere was heightened by a devotional “Mangal Dhwani,” featuring 50 traditional musical instruments from across the country.
The construction of the Ram Temple follows a prolonged legal battle that concluded with the Supreme Court ruling in favor of the temple in November 2019. Addressing the nation, Prime Minister Modi declared the consecration of Ram Lalla’s idol as the beginning of a new era.
“I have come before you are witnessing the divine consciousness in the temple’s sanctum sanctorum. There’s so much to say but, but there’s a lump in my throat. After unprecedented patience, innumerable sacrifices and penance, our Lord Ram has arrived. I congratulate the country on this occasion,” said PM Modi.
He called for unity, emphasizing that the temple symbolizes not only triumph but also humility, showcasing India’s maturity in resolving historical disputes. PM Modi urged critics to reconsider their views, stating that Ram symbolizes energy, not fire, and is a solution, not a dispute.
“The construction of this temple of Ram Lalla is also a symbol of the Indian society’s peace, patience, and mutual harmony. We can see this has not given birth to a fire, but an energy,” he expressed in a powerful and emotional speech after the consecration ceremony, stating that the temple represents peace, patience, harmony, and amity in Indian society. He invoked the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbkam,’ stating that Ram defines the world as a family.