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Historic moment for Ayodhya as Ram Darbar unveiled
Historic moment for Ayodhya as Ram Darbar unveiled

Hindustan Times

time3 hours ago

  • Politics
  • Hindustan Times

Historic moment for Ayodhya as Ram Darbar unveiled

It was a historic moment for Ayodhya on Thursday when the pran pratishtha (consecration) of the white marble idol of Raja Ram (Ram in royal form) was conducted and the Ram Darbar ceremonially unveiled amid the chanting of Vedic mantras on the first floor of the grand Ram temple. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath, whose 53rd birthday coincided with the occasion, presided over the pran pratishtha of Ram Darbar, which consists of the idols of Lord Ram and Mata Sita seated on a throne, with Hanuman and Bharat depicted in a prayerful posture at their feet, Lakshman and Shatrughan standing beside them. The throne was placed on a platform made of white marble. Adityanath anointed all the idols after which the Ram Darbar was unveiled as the collective voice of priests, acharyas and sadhus, the blowing of conch shells and the fragrance of havan enhanced the spiritual atmosphere of the temple premises. The day, coinciding with the occasion of Ganga Dussehra, came over 16 months after the consecration of Ram Lalla on the ground floor of the temple on January 22, 2024. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had presided over the 2024 event. Modi on Thursday said Ayodhya has witnessed another proud and historic moment following the consecration of 'Ram Darbar' along with the installation of idols in eight newly built temples inside the Ram Janmabhoomi complex. In a post on X, the prime minister said the auspicious occasion of the consecration of the divine and grand 'Ram Darbar' will fill the devotees of Ram with devotion and joy. The PM also said he hopes that Lord Ram bestows his blessings of happiness, health and prosperity upon the countrymen. The entire Ayodhya wore a festive look and the 13-km stretch of Ram Path from Lata Mangeshkar Chowk up to Ayodhya bypass was decked up to welcome devotees on the grand occasion. In a culmination of three-day celebrations, the final day's rituals began at 6.30 am with an invocation and offerings at the yagya mandap, followed by a havan at 9am. Subsequently, a centrally coordinated pran-pratishtha ceremony was held across all temples. The main pran pratishtha rituals were performed during the auspicious Abhijit Muhurat from 11:25 am to 11:40 am. Adityanath, who also offered prayers to Ram Lalla at the Ram temple and visited Hanumangarhi temple, posted on X: 'Today, in the holy birthplace of Lord Shri Ram, Ayodhya Dham, we are getting the great fortune of becoming a witness to the programme organised for the Pran-Pratishtha of the holy idols of gods in the eight temples, including Shri Ram Darbar, on the first floor of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple.' . Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust member Anil Mishra, was present at the ceremony as the host, along with his wife. RAM DARBAR AND THE SCULPTOR The Thursday's ceremony was a moment of personal redemption for Jaipur-based sculptor Satya Narain Pandey and his team which has crafted the Ram Darbar. Pandey's idol design had lost out to that of Mysuru-based artist Arun Yograj ahead of the 2024 ceremony. 'I was dejected when I came to know that my idol was not shortlisted (for the 2024 ceremony). But due to Lord Ram's blessings, I once again got the opportunity to be associated with the Ram Mandir,' said Pandey. In January 2024, the Trust selected Arun Yogiraj, the Mysuru-based artist's idol for the pran pratishtha ceremony of Ram Lalla. The Ram Lalla idol is made of Krishna shila (black schist) and depicts the deity as a five-year-old boy. 'The main reason behind the decision was the selection of Krishna shila (black stone) over white marble for Ram Lalla's idol,' said Satya Narain Pandey. 'It was altogether a different experience as I had to carve Lord Ram's idol as a grown-up person and not his child form,' said Pandey. 'The sculpting of the Ram Darbar took approximately three months. During this phase, artisans performed daily prayers and rituals seeking divine blessings,' said Pandey. 'We paid close attention to the subtle nuances of the idol, aiming to infuse it with the essence of Lord Ram's character,' he said. Pandey explained that Lord Ram is revered as the embodiment of compassion and the sustainer of the universe. 'Artisans sought to capture this essence in the idol's facial expression, conveying the divine qualities of Lord Rama,' he said. 'Artisans' meticulous attention to detail and their commitment to creating an idol that reflects Lord Rama's character have made this idol a masterpiece of devotion,' said Champat Rai, general secretary of the Trust. OTHER TEMPLES IN RAM JANMABHOOMI COMPLEX Alongside the Ram Darbar, deities enshrined in the other temples in the Ram Janmabhoomi complex on the day included Lord Shiva in the northeast (Ishan) corner, Lord Ganesh in the southeast (Agni) corner, Lord Hanuman midway along the southern side, Lord Surya in the southwest (Nairitya) corner, Goddess Bhagwati in the northwest (Vayavya) corner, and Goddess Annapurna in the middle of the northern side. All idols are made of white makrana marble. Earlier, the chief minister reached Ayodhya at 10.30am where he was received at the Ram Katha Park by cabinet minister Surya Pratap Shahi.

Ram Temple moves towards completion, idol of ‘Raja Ram' consecrated
Ram Temple moves towards completion, idol of ‘Raja Ram' consecrated

The Hindu

time9 hours ago

  • Politics
  • The Hindu

Ram Temple moves towards completion, idol of ‘Raja Ram' consecrated

The idol of Raja Ram was consecrated and the Ram Darbar inaugurated at the Ram Jamnabhoomi complex on Thursday, a major step towards completion of a grand temple that has been at the intersection of political and religious discourse for three decades. The city was festooned and lit up as priests gathered at the first floor of the Ram temple to install the almost five-feet white marbled statue of Raja Ram, the god in his royal form, amid the chanting of hymns and elaborate rituals. The Ram Darbar also features the idols of Sita, Lakshman, Bharat, Shatrughn and Hanuman. The day, chosen to coincide with the occasion of Ganga Dussehra, comes 16 months after the consecration of Ram Lalla, the child god, on January 22, 2024. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the top government brass and a host of celebrities were present at the high octane occasion then, the event this time was quieter. Among those conducting the ceremony were Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, also the head priest of the Gorakhnath Math in Gorakhpur, along with other priests. Devotees, unmindful of curbs, stood outside the temple complex, singing, dancing and chanting 'Jai Shri Ram' all the while. Restrictions on vehicular movement during the inauguration ceremony by the administration and the temple trust's decision not to issue entry passes to visitors between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday failed to deter the devotees, some of whom had come from as far as Nepal. Gogan Prasad, from Nepal's capital Kathmandu, was one such devotee. 'I have waited for this moment for long. I had been praying for more than a year for an opportunity to have darshan of Lord Ram. Now that wish will be granted,' said Mr. Prasad who had come from Nepal with a large group of devotees who also appeared overwhelmed on the occasion. Also in the crowd was Alamin, a Muslim woman dressed in a traditional black burqa, waiting along with the others to be allowed to enter the temple. She was seen singing devotional songs, drawing much attention. The BJP, which is in power at the Centre and in Uttar Pradesh, said in a post on X, 'The second festival of Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha concluded today in Ayodhya. A step towards Ram Rajya.' The ceremony took place during the Abhijit Muhurat, considered one of the most auspicious moments in the Hindu calendar. The consecration of the deities began with prayers at the 'yajna mandap' at 6.30 a.m., followed by a 'havan' at 9 a.m., which lasted an hour. Thereafter, centralised rituals began simultaneously across all temple shrines, aided by visual technology like cameras and large screens, ensuring synchrony of the ceremonies. According to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, among the deities consecrated were Shri Ram Darbar (central installation), Sheshavatar, Lord Shiva in the northeast (Ishan) corner, Lord Ganesha in the southeast (Agni) corner, Lord Hanuman at the southern wing, Surya (Sun God) in the southwest (Nairitya) corner, Goddess Bhagwati in the northwest (Vayavya) corner and Goddess Annapurna in the northern wing. The temple, built in the traditional Nagara style, spans 360 feet in length, 235 feet in width, and rises 161 feet high. Spread across 2.77 acres, the three-storey structure features 392 carved pillars, 44 doors and richly sculpted depictions of Hindu deities. Ram Temple trustee Anil Mishra told PTI that the ceremonies were performed in accordance with Vedic traditions. 'The day of Ganga Dussehra will symbolise a new beginning. It will be the moment when the fruits of centuries of penance, struggle, and faith will manifest in tangible form,' he said. According to Hindu scriptures, Ganga Dussehra marks the day the holy river Ganga descended to Earth from Lord Shiva's locks, moved by King Bhagirath's penance. The day is considered highly auspicious and symbolises virtue, penance, and the collective well-being of humanity. 'This year, Ganga Dussehra will not only be sacred but also historic, as after a long struggle of 500 years, Lord Ram, known as Raja Ram, will be ceremonially installed on the first floor of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya,' Mahant Raghuvar Sharan, chief priest of Rasik Niwas Temple in Ayodhya, told PTI ahead of the event. Mr. Adityanath offered prayers at the Ram Temple and visited the Hanumangarhi temple nearby. Adding a political touch to the proceedings of the day, he said in a post on X, 'This auspicious occasion is a new expression of 'Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat'. Victory to Siyavar Shri Ramachandra!' 'Today, in the holy birthplace of Lord Shri Ram, Ayodhya Dham, we are getting the great fortune of becoming a witness to the programme organised for the Pran-Pratishtha of the holy idols of gods in the eight temples including Shri Ram Darbar on the first floor of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple,' he said. The inauguration of the temple in January 2024 had marked the culmination of a decades-long campaign, mostly under the Hindutva banner, to claim a disputed religious site in Ayodhya. It was months before the Lok Sabha elections and 34 years after BJP veteran L.K. Advani's 'Mandir Wahin Banayenge' speech during his Rath yatra that shaped the Ram mandir politics. The 16th century Babri mosque at the spot, which many Hindu devotees believe is the place where Ram was born, was the centre of a simmering dispute for decades. The mosque was demolished by 'kar sewaks' on December 6, 1992, triggering communal riots that left hundreds dead. After a long legal battle, the Supreme Court in 2019 ruled in favour of the construction of the temple. It also ordered allotment of a five-acre plot for building a mosque. The scrapping of Article 370 that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, building a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya and the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) have been the BJP's poll plank for decades.

Ram Temple moves towards completion, idol of ‘Raja Ram' consecrated
Ram Temple moves towards completion, idol of ‘Raja Ram' consecrated

The Print

time12 hours ago

  • Politics
  • The Print

Ram Temple moves towards completion, idol of ‘Raja Ram' consecrated

The Ram Darbar also features the idols of Sita, Lakshman, Bharat, Shatrughn and Hanuman. The day, chosen to coincide with the occasion of Ganga Dussehra, comes 16 months after the consecration of Ram Lalla, the child god, on January 22, 2024. The city was festooned and lit up as priests gathered at the first floor of the Ram temple to install the almost five-feet white marbled statue of Raja Ram, the god in his royal form, amid the chanting of hymns and elaborate rituals. Ayodhya, Jun 5 (PTI) The idol of Raja Ram was consecrated and the Ram Darbar inaugurated at the Ram Jamnabhoomi complex on Thursday, a major step towards completion of a grand temple that has been at the intersection of political and religious discourse for three decades. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the top government brass and a host of celebrities were present at the high octane occasion then, the event this time was quieter. Among those conducting the ceremony today were Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, also the head priest of the Gorakhnath Mutt in Gorakhpur, along with other priests. Devotees, unmindful of curbs, stood outside the temple complex, singing, dancing and chanting 'Jai Shri Ram' all the while. Restrictions on vehicular movement during the inauguration ceremony by the administration and the temple trust's decision to not issue temple entry passes to visitors between 9 am to 3 pm on Thursday failed to deter the devotees, some who had come from as far as Nepal. Gogan Prasad, from Nepal's capital Kathmandu, was one such devotee. 'I have waited for this moment for long. I had been praying for more than a year for an opportunity to have darshan of Lord Ram. Now that wish will be granted,' said Prasad who had come from Nepal with a large group of devotees who also appeared overwhelmed on the occasion. Also in the crowd was Alamin, a Muslim woman dressed in a traditional black burqa, waiting along with the others to be allowed to enter the temple. She was seen singing devotional songs, drawing much attention. The BJP, which is in power at the Centre and in Uttar Pradesh, said in a post on X, 'The second festival of Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha concluded today in Ayodhya. A step towards Ram Rajya.' The ceremony took place during the Abhijit Muhurat, considered one of the most auspicious moments in the Hindu calendar. The consecration of the deities began with prayers at the 'yajna mandap' at 6.30 am, followed by a 'havan' at 9 am, which lasted an hour. Thereafter, centralised rituals began simultaneously across all temple shrines, aided by visual technology like cameras and large screens, ensuring synchronicity of the ceremonies. According to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, among the deities consecrated were Shri Ram Darbar (central installation), Sheshavatar, Lord Shiva in the northeast (Ishan) corner, Lord Ganesha in the southeast (Agni) corner, Lord Hanuman at the southern wing, Surya (Sun God) in the southwest (Nairitya) corner, Goddess Bhagwati in the northwest (Vayavya) corner and Goddess Annapurna in the northern wing. The temple, built in the traditional Nagara style, spans 360 feet in length, 235 feet in width, and rises 161 feet high. Spread across 2.77 acres, the three-storey structure features 392 carved pillars, 44 doors and richly sculpted depictions of Hindu deities. Ram Temple trustee Anil Mishra told PTI that the ceremonies were performed in accordance with Vedic traditions. 'The day of Ganga Dussehra will symbolise a new beginning. It will be the moment when the fruits of centuries of penance, struggle, and faith will manifest in tangible form,' he said. According to Hindu scriptures, Ganga Dussehra marks the day the holy river Ganga descended to Earth from Lord Shiva's locks, moved by King Bhagirath's penance. The day is considered highly auspicious and symbolises virtue, penance, and the collective well-being of humanity. 'This year, Ganga Dussehra will not only be sacred but also historic, as after a long struggle of 500 years, Lord Ram, known as Raja Ram, will be ceremonially installed on the first floor of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya,' Mahant Raghuvar Sharan, chief priest of Rasik Niwas Temple in Ayodhya, told PTI ahead of the event. Adityanath offered prayers at the Ram Temple and visited the Hanumangarhi temple nearby. Adding a political touch to the proceedings of the day, he said in a post on X, 'This auspicious occasion is a new expression of 'Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat'. Victory to Siyavar Shri Ramachandra!' 'Today, in the holy birthplace of Lord Shri Ram, Ayodhya Dham, we are getting the great fortune of becoming a witness to the programme organised for the Pran-Pratishtha of the holy idols of gods in the eight temples including Shri Ram Darbar on the first floor of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple,' he said. The inauguration of the temple in January 2024 had marked the culmination of a decades-long campaign, mostly under the Hindutva banner, to reclaim a disputed religious site in Ayodhya. It was months before the Lok Sabha elections and 34 years after BJP veteran L K Advani's 'Mandir Wahin Banayenge' speech during his Rath yatra that shaped Ram mandir politics. The 16th century Babri mosque at the spot where many Hindu devotees believe is the place where Ram was born was the centre of a simmering dispute for decades. The mosque was demolished by 'kar sewaks' on December 6, 1992, triggering communal riots that left hundreds dead. After a long legal battle, the Supreme Court in 2019 ruled in favour of the construction of the temple. It also ordered allotment of a five-acre plot for building a mosque. The scrapping of Article 370 that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, building a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya and the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code(UCC) have been BJP's poll plank for decades. PTI COR KIS JKY MAN DV MIN MIN This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.

Ram Temple moves towards completion, idol of 'Raja Ram' consecrated
Ram Temple moves towards completion, idol of 'Raja Ram' consecrated

Time of India

time13 hours ago

  • Politics
  • Time of India

Ram Temple moves towards completion, idol of 'Raja Ram' consecrated

The idol of Raja Ram was consecrated and the Ram Darbar inaugurated at the Ram Jamnabhoomi complex on Thursday, a major step towards completion of a grand temple that has been at the intersection of political and religious discourse for three decades. The city was festooned and lit up as priests gathered at the first floor of the Ram temple to install the almost five-feet white marbled statue of Raja Ram, the god in his royal form, amid the chanting of hymns and elaborate rituals. The Ram Darbar also features the idols of Sita, Lakshman, Bharat, Shatrughn and Hanuman. The day, chosen to coincide with the occasion of Ganga Dussehra, comes 16 months after the consecration of Ram Lalla, the child god, on January 22, 2024. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo While Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the top government brass and a host of celebrities were present at the high octane occasion then, the event this time was quieter. Among those conducting the ceremony today were Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, also the head priest of the Gorakhnath Mutt in Gorakhpur, along with other priests. Devotees, unmindful of curbs, stood outside the temple complex, singing, dancing and chanting 'Jai Shri Ram' all the while. Live Events Restrictions on vehicular movement during the inauguration ceremony by the administration and the temple trust's decision to not issue temple entry passes to visitors between 9 am to 3 pm on Thursday failed to deter the devotees, some who had come from as far as Nepal. Gogan Prasad, from Nepal's capital Kathmandu, was one such devotee. "I have waited for this moment for long. I had been praying for more than a year for an opportunity to have darshan of Lord Ram. Now that wish will be granted," said Prasad who had come from Nepal with a large group of devotees who also appeared overwhelmed on the occasion. Also in the crowd was Alamin, a Muslim woman dressed in a traditional black burqa, waiting along with the others to be allowed to enter the temple. She was seen singing devotional songs, drawing much attention. The BJP, which is in power at the Centre and in Uttar Pradesh, said in a post on X, "The second festival of Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha concluded today in Ayodhya. A step towards Ram Rajya." The ceremony took place during the Abhijit Muhurat, considered one of the most auspicious moments in the Hindu calendar. The consecration of the deities began with prayers at the 'yajna mandap' at 6.30 am, followed by a 'havan' at 9 am, which lasted an hour. Thereafter, centralised rituals began simultaneously across all temple shrines, aided by visual technology like cameras and large screens, ensuring synchronicity of the ceremonies. According to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, among the deities consecrated were Shri Ram Darbar (central installation), Sheshavatar, Lord Shiva in the northeast (Ishan) corner, Lord Ganesha in the southeast (Agni) corner, Lord Hanuman at the southern wing, Surya (Sun God) in the southwest (Nairitya) corner, Goddess Bhagwati in the northwest (Vayavya) corner and Goddess Annapurna in the northern wing. The temple, built in the traditional Nagara style, spans 360 feet in length, 235 feet in width, and rises 161 feet high. Spread across 2.77 acres, the three-storey structure features 392 carved pillars, 44 doors and richly sculpted depictions of Hindu deities. Ram Temple trustee Anil Mishra told PTI that the ceremonies were performed in accordance with Vedic traditions. "The day of Ganga Dussehra will symbolise a new beginning. It will be the moment when the fruits of centuries of penance, struggle, and faith will manifest in tangible form," he said. According to Hindu scriptures, Ganga Dussehra marks the day the holy river Ganga descended to Earth from Lord Shiva's locks, moved by King Bhagirath's penance. The day is considered highly auspicious and symbolises virtue, penance, and the collective well-being of humanity. "This year, Ganga Dussehra will not only be sacred but also historic, as after a long struggle of 500 years, Lord Ram, known as Raja Ram, will be ceremonially installed on the first floor of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya," Mahant Raghuvar Sharan, chief priest of Rasik Niwas Temple in Ayodhya, told PTI ahead of the event. Adityanath offered prayers at the Ram Temple and visited the Hanumangarhi temple nearby. Adding a political touch to the proceedings of the day, he said in a post on X, "This auspicious occasion is a new expression of 'Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat'. Victory to Siyavar Shri Ramachandra!" "Today, in the holy birthplace of Lord Shri Ram, Ayodhya Dham, we are getting the great fortune of becoming a witness to the programme organised for the Pran-Pratishtha of the holy idols of gods in the eight temples including Shri Ram Darbar on the first floor of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple," he said. The inauguration of the temple in January 2024 had marked the culmination of a decades-long campaign, mostly under the Hindutva banner, to reclaim a disputed religious site in Ayodhya. It was months before the Lok Sabha elections and 34 years after BJP veteran L K Advani's 'Mandir Wahin Banayenge' speech during his Rath yatra that shaped Ram mandir politics. The 16th century Babri mosque at the spot where many Hindu devotees believe is the place where Ram was born was the centre of a simmering dispute for decades. The mosque was demolished by 'kar sewaks' on December 6, 1992, triggering communal riots that left hundreds dead. After a long legal battle, the Supreme Court in 2019 ruled in favour of the construction of the temple. It also ordered allotment of a five-acre plot for building a mosque. The scrapping of Article 370 that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, building a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya and the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code(UCC) have been BJP's poll plank for decades.

Consecration of ‘Raja Ram', other deities held at Ram Temple in Ayodhya
Consecration of ‘Raja Ram', other deities held at Ram Temple in Ayodhya

The Hindu

time19 hours ago

  • Politics
  • The Hindu

Consecration of ‘Raja Ram', other deities held at Ram Temple in Ayodhya

The consecration of 'Raja Ram'— Lord Rama in his royal form— along with the installation of idols in eight newly built temples inside the Ram Janmabhoomi complex was held on Thursday (June 5, 2025) in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The ritual was the second major consecration ceremony at the temple, the first being that of Ram Lalla on January 22, 2024, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The ceremony took place during the 'Abhijit Muhurat', considered one of the most auspicious moments in the Hindu calendar. The consecration of the deities began with prayers at the 'yajna mandap' at 6:30 a.m., followed by a 'havan' at 9 a.m., which lasted an hour. Thereafter, centralised rituals began simultaneously across all temple shrines, aided by visual technology like cameras and large screens, ensuring synchronicity of the ceremonies. According to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, among the deities consecrated were Shri Ram Darbar (central installation), Sheshavatar, Lord Shiva in the northeast (Ishan) corner, Lord Ganesha in the southeast (Agni) corner, Lord Hanuman at the southern wing, Surya (Sun God) in the southwest (Nairitya) corner, Goddess Bhagwati in the northwest (Vayavya) corner and Goddess Annapurna in the northern wing. Mr. Adityanath offered prayers at the Ram Temple, had darshan of the 'Ram Darbar' on the first floor, and visited Hanumangarhi temple nearby. 'Today, in the holy birthplace of Lord Shri Ram, Ayodhya Dham, we are getting the great fortune of becoming a witness to the programme organised for the Pran-Pratishtha of the holy idols of gods in the eight temples including Shri Ram Darbar on the first floor of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple,' he posted on X. He added, 'This auspicious occasion is a new expression of 'Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat'. Victory to Siyavar Shri Ramachandra!' The BJP, which is in power at the Centre and in Uttar Pradesh, took to X and posted: 'The second festival of Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha concluded today in Ayodhya. A step towards Ram Rajya'. Ram Temple trustee Anil Mishra told PTI that the ceremonies were performed in accordance with Vedic traditions, with the participation of learned Brahmins from across the country. 'The day of Ganga Dussehra will symbolise a new beginning. It will be the moment when the fruits of centuries of penance, struggle, and faith will manifest in tangible form,' he said. Ahead of the ceremony which took place on the occasion of Ganga Dusshera, Mahant Raghuvar Sharan, the chief priest of Rasik Niwas Temple in Ayodhya, told PTI, 'This year, Ganga Dussehra will not only be sacred but also historic, as after a long struggle of 500 years, Lord Ram, known as 'Rajarama', will be ceremonially installed on the first floor of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya.' Explaining the significance of the date, Ayodhya-based astrologer Pandit Kalki Ram said, 'Any auspicious deed performed on Ganga Dussehra yields manifold results. Perhaps this is why the Ram Temple Trust chose this day for the consecration of Rajarama.' Pilgrims in large numbers flocked the temple complex, celebrating what many described as a 'landmark moment' in the city's and nation's spiritual history. प्रभु श्री राम की पावन जन्मभूमि अयोध्या धाम में आज श्री राम जन्मभूमि मंदिर के प्रथम तल पर श्री राम दरबार सहित अष्ट देवालयों में पवित्र देव विग्रहों की प्राण-प्रतिष्ठा हेतु आयोजित कार्यक्रम का साक्षी बनने का परम सौभाग्य प्राप्त हो रहा है। यह पावन अवसर 'एक भारत-श्रेष्ठ भारत' की… — Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) June 5, 2025 The inauguration of the temple in January 2024 had marked the culmination of a decades-long campaign, mostly under the Hindutva banner, to reclaim a disputed religious site in Ayodhya. The occasion came just months before the Lok Sabha elections and 34 years after BJP veteran L.K. Advani's iconic 'Mandir Wahin Banayenge ' speech during his Rath yatra that shaped Ram mandir politics. Scrapping of Article 370 that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, building a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya and the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) have been BJP's poll plank for decades. A temple-mosque dispute had simmered over the spot where the 16th century Babri mosque once stood in Ayodhya. Many Hindus believe that the mosque was constructed after the demolition of a temple that existed on the site of Lord Ram's birthplace. Kar sewaks demolished it on December 6, 1992 triggering communal riots that left hundreds dead. After a long legal battle, the Supreme Court in 2019 ruled in favour of the construction of the temple. It also ordered allotment of a five-acre plot for building a mosque.

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