Ram Mandir is now open: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday opened a Hindu temple in the northern city of Ayodhya, where the country’s top celebrities from across the life were seen in great attendance. The temple, which is still under construction, is dedicated to Hinduism’s Lord Ram and fulfils a long-standing demand by millions of Hindus who worship the revered deity.
Prime Minister Modi, dressed in a traditional kurta tunic, led the opening ceremony as Hindu priests chanted hymns inside the temple’s inner sanctum, where a 1.3-meter (4.3-foot) stone sculpture of Lord Ram was installed last week.
A conch was blown by a priest to mark the temple’s opening and Modi placed a lotus flower in front of the black stone idol, decked in intricate gold ornaments and holding a golden bow and arrow.
Millions of Indians watched the ceremony on television, with news channels running non-stop coverage of the event, portrayed as a religious spectacle.
How India is celebrating the inauguration of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya
Nearly 7,500 people, including elite industrialists, politicians and movie stars, witnessed the ritual on a giant screen outside the temple as a military helicopter showered flower petals.
Ayodhya, once crowded with tightly packed houses and rundown stalls, has undergone an elaborate makeover in the lead-up to the temple’s inauguration. Narrow roads have been turned into a four-lane pilgrimage route leading to the temple, tourists are arriving at a new airport and sprawling railway station, and major hotel chains are building new properties.
Jubilant devotees from across the country have arrived to celebrate the opening, with groups of them dancing to religious songs that blare from speakers on roads bedecked with flowers. Huge cut-outs of Lord Ram and billboards of Modi are ubiquitous across Ayodhya, where the borders have been sealed to prevent more people from coming in. Some 20,000 security personnel and more than 10,000 security cameras have been deployed.
History of building Ram Temple in Ayodhya
Built at an estimated cost of $217 million and spread over nearly 3 hectares (7.4 acres), the temple lies atop the debris of the 16th-century Babri Mosque, which was razed to the ground in 1992, who believed it was built on temple ruins marking the birthplace of Lord Ram.
The site has long been a religious flashpoint for the two communities. The dispute ended in 2019 when the Supreme Court called the mosque’s destruction “an egregious violation” of the law but granted the site to Hindus while giving Muslims a different plot of land.
Officials say the temple, a three-story structure made of pink sandstone, will open to the public after the ceremony and they expect 100,000 devotees to visit daily. Builders are still working to finish 46 elaborate doors and intricate wall carvings.
“Ram aaye hain”
The inauguration has morphed into a massive national event. The Indian government live telecasted the event across the country and even movie theaters in some cities showed the event while offering free popcorn. Governing party workers have gone door to door handing out religious flags, while PM Modi encouraged people to celebrate by lighting lamps at homes and in local shrines. Government offices were closed for half a day on Monday, and many states declared it a public holiday. Even the stock and money markets were closed for the day.
How the world welcomes Lord Ram
The joy is not limited to India. Lakhs of Indians across the globe have taken to streets with saffron flags, chanting “Jai Shree Ram”, with groups of them dancing to religious songs and roads bedecked with flowers.
In the United States, the Indian diaspora illuminated Times Square with the picture of Lord Ram in New York and chanted Shree Ram Bhajans and songs to showcase the cultural heritage and vibrancy of their home country. The Indian community, which turned out in huge numbers for the celebrations, wore traditional Indian attire and were seen holding saffron flags with Shree Ram portraits inscribed on them.
Taking to X, the Indian embassy in the US said, “Indian Diaspora illuminated Times Square with a spectacular celebration of the Pran Prathistha at Ram Mandir, Ayodhya. #AyodyaRamTemple Dressed in traditional Indian attire, they passionately chanted bhajans and songs, showcasing India’s cultural heritage, vibrancy and unity.”
Besides, the Hindu-American community across the US has organised several car rallies and has planned many more events in the run-up to the grand event.
“Today, there are no words to say. The pain of 25 generations, challenges, struggle, sacrifices and their conclusion into Ram Mandir and Lord Ram’s Pran Pratishtha…it is a wonderful day today,” Alok Kumar, international working president of VHP, told news agency PTI.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is also witnessing vibrant celebrations as Hindu temples gear up for the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony. Slough Hindu Temple, located thousands of miles away from Ayodhya in the heart of England, is brimming with enthusiasm as it is set to celebrate the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The ‘Mangal Kalash’ from Ayodhya that is touring the UK will reach the Slough Hindu Temple on Sunday, January 21, a day before the big day and shall be placed in this temple on January 22.
The excitement around the ceremony is palpable in the UK. There are about 250 Hindu temples in the UK and all of them are gearing up for the celebration on January 22. From community events to car rallies, and from special ‘aarti’ to ‘Akhanda Ramayan’ recitations, the Hindu communities and temples in the UK are celebrating the occasion as “2nd Diwali” to mark the ‘return’ of Lord Rama to his rightful abode.
Australia
Australia Amid the growing excitement and anticipation over the Ram Temple Pran Pratishtha in Ayodhya, a series of events have been planned across hundreds of temples in Australia in the next two days. Just a day before the grand ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the Indian diaspora in Sydney celebrated the occasion by organising a car rally on Saturday. In the event, more than 100 cars participated, attracting hundreds of ‘Ram Bhakts’ and passersby in the neighbourhood.
In the visuals captured by ANI, cars were seen lined up on the roads and people were dancing and holding flags inscribed with images of Lord Ram. People celebrated the occasion with fireworks and waving ‘Shree Ram’ flags. Amid the growing excitement and anticipation over the Ram Temple Pran Pratishtha in Ayodhya, more celebrations have been planned across hundreds of temples in Australia in the next two days. Nepal As the countdown for the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Mandir has begun, along with Ayodhya, the Janakpurdham in Nepal, the maternal home of Goddess Sita is now brimming with happiness and enthusiasm, waiting for the occasion with high fanfare and gaiety, organising a slew of events. Hymns of Lord Ram and Sita are echoing in the city around the clock. The Janaki Temple is decked up with lights, and enthusiasm can be seen on the faces of every Janakpurdham resident.
Nepal
From Nepal’s Janakpur, the Chief Mahanth and the Chotte Mahanth have been invited to the ceremony and have already set off for Ayodhya. Earlier, Janakpur sent offerings locally called “Bhaar” to Ayodhya as a part of the ritual, which included ornaments, cuisines, clothes and other daily essentials. Scores of devotees have continued to take part and throng to various Astajaam’s being held in Janakpur. Those taking part in these mass religious sermons and chanting ceremonies now wait for the railway link to be established between the two cities to facilitate their travel. Taiwan Adding to the spirit of unity, the Indian Association of Taiwan will organise a live stream of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony. This initiative will allow members of the community to participate remotely, ensuring a broader reach and involvement in the auspicious proceedings.
On the eve of the highly anticipated Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the Indian community in Taiwan came together in a joyous celebration, embracing the significant occasion. The festivities, held on January 21, witnessed two distinct events organised by the vibrant Indian community in Taiwan, as well as the dedicated efforts of ISKON Taiwan.
(With inputs from agency)