CONSECRATION OF RAM TEMPLE AT AYODHYA

India

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Chandigarh, January 20, 2024:

A day of longings is over since Ram Janam Bhumi Ayodhya is going to get lit with lights of happiness as the most awaited Ram Temple Ayodhya is getting the final touches. Infact, temples are not merely a site of worship. These create, evoke and disseminate value-based memories for societies and communities.

Ram Temple, Ayodhya:

Ayodhya is the birth place of Shri Rama who is one of the deities not only of the Hindus but all the communities. The temple was being awaited for hundreds of years due to the clash with Babri mosque. However, by the will of god, the Supreme Court of India passed the judgement in favour of the temple. However, the history of the Ayodhya Ram Temple speaks of deep devotion, controversy and resilience that spans centuries. The original temple dedicated to Rama is said to have been constructed in the twelfth century under the patronage of King Dashrath, according to historical records. The construction of the Babri Mosque in the sixteenth century led to a long religious and legal dispute. It was a historic judgement by the Supreme Court of India favoring the construction of Ram Temple at the disputed site. The foundation stone for the Ayodhya Ram Temple was laid in a grand ceremony. It signifies the culmination of a new era in Ayodhya’s history. The responsibility for constructing this splendid and gorgeous temple lies with Larsen and Toubro Group. The temple is being constructed with meticulous attention in detail combining traditional and contemporary architectural features. It is designed in the Nagara Style which is featured by its tall and curvilinear ‘Shikharas’. The ‘Shikharas’ are adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures.

Sanctum Sanctorum of Ram Temple

The temple includes a spacious hall and sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha) which is the sacred part of the temple. The construction material of marble and red sandstone promotes the aesthetic grace of the temple. The design of the temple adheres to the principles of ‘Vastu Shastra’ which is an architectural science to harmonise the energy of the temple and align it with cosmic principles. The temple will feature lovely and magnificently landscaped gardens to impart a serene environment for devotees and visitors.

Hanuman Garhi Temple, Ayodhya:

The Bhumi Pujan for the commencement of the construction of Ram Temple was performed on 5August, 2020 by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. Shri Ram Janam Bhumi Teerth Kshetra Trust is supervising the construction. The consecration will be held on 22 January, 2024. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, UP Governor Anandiben Patel, temple trust President Mahant Nritya Gopal Das are the invitees. Besides, President of India Droupdi Murmu is invited to grace the occasion. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that ahead of the consecration of Lord Ram Temple, he would undertake an 11 days ritual and dedicate himself to the will of God. Spiritual figures hail PM’s ritual and urge others to follow him. Every Indian should undertake some religious exercise. LK Advani in his article ‘Ram Mandir Nirman, Ek Divya Swapna Ki Purti’ refers to the Rath Yatra he took out 33 years ago for Ram Temple construction. Over 7000 individuals have been invited including cricket icons Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan and industrialist Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani.

The temple will be 250 feet wide, 380 feet long and 161 feet high. The building will have a total of 366 columns with sixteen idols each to include the incarnation of Shiva, the 10 Dashavataras, the 64 Yoginis and the 16 incarnations of the goddess Saraswati. The Sanctum Santorum is octagonal. The temple is being built in 10 acres and 57 acres of land is being covered into a complex with a prayer hall, a lecture hall, an educational facility along with a museum and a cafeteria.

 Sarayu River, Ayodhya:

Similar invitations are likely to be given to the heads of Sri Keshgarh Sahib, Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Takht Sri Hazur Sahib, Takht Sri Patna Sahib. The Shri Ram Janam Bhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has sent an invitation to Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh on the inauguration of Ram Temple. SGPC President Harinder Singh Dhami also received the invitation. Individuals from space exploration and arts to overlooked tribal communities and architects have also been invited. Invitations were extended to other political figures such as Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Sonia Gandhi. The trust has also invited 4000 seers from across the nation and dignitaries from foreign countries. Iqbal Ansari, one of the litigants in the Ram Janambhoomi Babri Masjid case received invitation for the consecration ceremony. Additionally, actors Arun Govil and Dipika Chikhlia in the renowned TV Serial ‘Ramayan’ have been invited. Ratan Tata and Gautam Adani are there in the list. Ram Temple Trust Members include Padamshri Shri K. Prasaran, Swami Vasudevanand, Swami Vishvprashannteerth, Permanand Giri Ji Maharaj, Vimalendra Mohan Pratap Mishr, Dr. Anil Mishr, Swami Govind Dev Giri, Kamleshwar Chaupal, Mahant Nirtya Gopal Das etc.

The ‘Ramayana’ composed by sage Valmiki is an epic scripture that emphasis so many lessons as given below:

1. Value unity and relationship more than greed, pride and power. King Dashratha had three wives and four sons and all of them loved each other immensely.
2. Embrace all irrespective of caste, creed or colour. Rama readily ate the fruits nibbled by Shabari, a poor old woman.
3. Stay away from negative people. Manthara convinced Kaikeyi to send Rama into exile and insisted on Bharat being crowned as the king.
4. Forgiveness triumphs revenge. Lord Rama and Sita granted forgiveness to Kaikeyi, Rama’s step mother.
5. No matter how bad the circumstances be in life, good will always prevail over evil. In the end Lord Rama wins the battle and rescues Sita from the haughty Ravana.

 C Rajagopalachari, First Indian Governor General of India:

C Rajagopalachari endeavored to express his exquisite views on ‘The Ramayana’ epic that will live in all the tongues of people. Even Bernard Shaw has accepted the essential myths which cannot be dispensed with mythology. Mythology and holy figures are necessary for any great culture. Romesh Dutt a member of Indian Civil Service also translated ‘The Ramayana’ in verse form wherein he states in ‘Introduction’ that ‘it is one of the oldest literary texts in the country and surprises all by its enduring popularity’.

Above all, the Ramayana is a celebration of emotional ideals. The story of Rama has inspired our religious reformers, and purified the popular faith of our modern times. ‘The Ramayana’ embodies the domestic and religious life of ancient India.

Ramanand Sagar:

Ramanand Sagar’s TV serial ‘Ramayana’ won abundance of popularity throughout the nation and other countries. LK Advani and his party also aggressively propagated the idea of the Ram Temple at Ayodhya due to the TV serial. Above all, the word ‘Rama’ appears in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib more than 2500 times. Mahatma Gandhi while dying uttered the words: “Hey Ram.” Audience estimates grew from four crores to eight crores in a few months.

The managing Principal of CP Kukreja Architects remarks with full zeal and zest: “Ayodhya is anticipated to become a global tourism destination with a focus on spiritual, cultural, heritage assets and events as the city is likely to grow manifold with a significant demand in hospitality and allied industries.” Ayodhya has been redeveloped after studying global examples.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has exhorted people to celebrate Diwali on January 22 and light lamps in their homes. He also shared a song dedicated to Lord Ram sung by Bollywood singer Swati Mishra. PM Narendra Modi highlights that the story of Ram would not be possible without Shabari, a tribal woman. He means that “welfare of poor, deprived and tribals is pivotal”. Devotees will be allowed to visit the shrine from January 23. The architect behind the temple Chandrakant Sompura revealed that he has been involved with the temple project for the last many years. 

 Kanak Bhavan, Ayodhya Temple:

The temple stands both for progress in terms of revenue generation and employment along with heritage and ageless tradition. Ayodhya will be turned into a global hub of spiritual and heritage tourism with the revamped Maharishi Valmiki International Airport. It will not only attract millions who belong to the great Indian Diaspora but also the people of all nationalities and creeds who love to adopt disciplines like yoga and meditation.

The influx of investment and tourism will generate thousands of jobs in hotel and restaurant staffs, transport operators, tour guides etc. The glamour, grandeur and social media have dispelled the shadows of the temple’s past. The places have been decorated with paintings which are a part of the themes based on Lanka Kand and Uttar Kand of the Ramayana.

Author: Dr. Jaswant Singh Puri, Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) Social Activist, Punjab Rattan, Member, Dewan Family, Erstwhile Princely State of Patiala, Punjabi University Medalist

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