New Delhi: The date August 5 will go down in history as a momentous occasion when Prime Minister Narednra Modi set the construction of the grand Ram temple at the Ram Janmabhoomi site in the ancient city of Ayodhya, a reality that was the political and socio-religious dream of the BJP, and a vast section of Indians.
Dressed in traditional attire (dhoti and kurta), the Prime Minister first washed his hands before bowing before the deity –Ram Lalla Virajman. Amid ‘Shankhnaad’, Modi offered his prayers to the deity before making a parikrama (circumnambulation) of the shrine.
Next, he planted a ‘Parijat’ sapling in the temple complex at 12.03 p.m. and watered the plant. He then proceeded for the ‘bhumi pujan’ (land consecration) ceremony after offering prayers at the 10th century Hanuman Garhi temple, accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
At the ‘bhumi puja’ site, Modi sat with Adityanath, UP Governor Anandiben Patel and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, maintaining adequate social distancing, amid chants of Sanskrit shlokas (prayers). With soil and water from across the country and a silver brick weighing around 40 kg, the ‘bhumi pujan’ was an elaborate affair.
The Prime Minister reached Ayodhya in a chopper little after 11.30 p.m. The Prime Minister later addressed the top saints of the country, marking the beginning of the construction of the Ram temple.
The Shri Ram Temple ‘Bhumi Pujan’ ceremony in Ayodhya on Wednesday was special in many ways. This is the first time since the formation of the BJP-led government at the Centre in 2014, that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a stage.
Since 2014, Prime Minister Modi and the RSS chief did not get a chance to participate in any event or program together. After Modi took oath as Prime Minister in May 2014, he has maintained a distance from the RSS chief.
But it was on Wednesday that both came together at the Ram temple event for the first time in six years. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust had also extended an invite to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat as a special guest.
Others who were present at the event were UP Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Salil Singhal, nephew of VHP leader, late Ashok Singhal, and his wife.
A total of 135 seers, belonging to 36 spiritual traditions, were invited by the Trust for the ‘Bhumi Pujan’ which was conducted by priests from Varanasi and Ayodhya.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said that the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya is the beginning of a new era in India. He said August 5 is a historic day for all Indians.
In a series of tweets, Shah said the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya is a symbol of the strong and decisive leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“The construction of the Ram temple shows the strong and decisive leadership of the Prime
Minister. My heartiest congratulations to all Indians on this historic day. The Modi government will always be committed to protecting and preserving Indian culture and its values,” he said.
He added, “This has started a new chapter in the history of great Indian culture and civilization. The construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya has always been a symbol of faith for Hindus for centuries around the world. Today, PM Narendra Modi and Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra have done the work of honouring that faith by performing Bhumi Pujan of Ram temple, I express my gratitude for this.”
The Home Minister said that the ideals and thoughts of Lord Ram reside in the soul of India. His character and philosophy of life are the cornerstones of Indian culture.
With the construction of the Ram temple, this holy land Ayodhya will re-awaken in the
world with its full glory. Development in Ayodhya will also generate employment opportunities.
He said, “The construction of the Ram temple is the culmination of centuries of sacrifices,
struggle, penance of Ram bhaktas. Today, I salute all the seers and sadhus who have kept this priceless heritage of ‘Sanatan dharma’ for so many years.”,