With Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries in attendance, the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya held its historic Pran Pratishtha ceremony on Monday. But among all the opulence, Uttarakhand’s Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati cast doubt on the temple’s completion and timing.
Praise for Prime Minister Modi
Though Shankaracharya expressed doubts about the temple’s opening, he lavished Prime Minister Modi with adulation, praising him for the “awakening of Hindus.” He made it clear that his position was not “anti-Modi” and reaffirmed his backing, emphasizing that Modi was the first prime minister to stand firmly with the Hindu population.
Grandeur of Ram Mandir
Arun Yogiraj, a sculptor from Mysuru, painstakingly created a 51-inch-tall idol of Lord Ram that stands elegantly atop a lotus, signifying the fulfillment of a long-awaited dream. Around 7,000 VVIPs witnessed the inauguration ceremony, which saw army helicopters drop flower petals on the temple grounds during the consecration.
Architectural Marvel
Built in the Nagara architectural style, the Ram Mandir is 380 feet long, 250 feet wide, and stands an amazing 161 feet tall. It is oriented east-west. The compound consists of storeys, each 20 feet high, with 44 gates and 392 pillars supporting them.
PM Modi's Spiritual Journey
Prime Minister Modi underwent an 11-day ‘anushthan,’ sleeping on the floor and abiding by spiritual rituals, before the ceremony. His travels to several Indian temples culminated in a sacred bath at the ‘Angi theerth’ seashore in Rameswaram.
Phase 2 of 'Navya Ayodhya' Project
Commencing with the realization of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s vision of a great Ayodhya, Phase 2 of the ‘Navya Ayodhya’ project has followed the conclusion of Phase 1. Along the banks of the Saryu river, the Ayodhya municipal corporation is improving the city’s entry points through horticultural beauty.
Renewed Focus on Ayodhya's Beautification
A comprehensive action plan calls for median horticulture to be used to enhance Ayodhya’s access points. For a period of five years, the municipal corporation plans to appoint a contractor to maintain and decorate embankment slopes and national highway medians with trees and flowers.
Special Day for Nishad Community
The Nishad community at Ayodhya’s Guptar Ghat is jubilant with the end of a 500-year-old Ram Temple movement, while the rest of the country celebrates. They will finally get their wish for a temple honoring King Nishadraj, who helped Lord Ram, fulfilled.
Connection Between Lord Ram and Nishadraj
The Nishad community emphasizes the historical bond between Lord Ram and Nishadraj, highlighting the king’s help in bridging the Ganga during Ram’s banishment. One of the seven temples that the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has suggested to be built on the property is for King Nishadraj.
Conclusion
The simultaneous acknowledgment of the long-standing demand of the Nishad community adds still another level of cultural richness to this momentous occasion, while Ayodhya revels in the splendor of the Ram Mandir inauguration. The city is changing as a result of the ‘Navya Ayodhya’ project, which represents a comprehensive strategy for appreciating the past while welcoming the present.
