Diwali is more than just a festival of the Hindu faith. It is in fact a global celebration of cultures, increasingly, independent of religious beliefs and practices. It is as widely celebrated and observed as Christmas. The homecoming of Lord Ram, the victory of good over evil, the mythological anecdotes and the zeal with which light takes over dark, make Diwali a pious annual moment for communities. Most members of the community know about the massive fan following of filmmaker Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan which used to be screened in the 80s and 90s, filling households with hundreds of viewers in front of a small television set, from all walks and faiths of life, glued to the story of Ramayan. Among those ardent devotees, was also PM Rishi Sunak’s grandmother, whom he spoke about during his visit to Cambridge earlier this year, as he attended a community event and reminisced about Hanuman Chalisa as well. To further add to the valour and zeal this year, is the scheduled upcoming inauguration of the much disputed, awaited yet revered Ayodhya Shri Ram Janmabhumi temple in India.
Asian Voice spoke to members of the diaspora community in the UK, to understand their sentiments and ideologies attached to the festival and what they look forward to ahead of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir opening.
A beacon of peace that invites individuals of every faith to come together
The issues revolve around the control of a site traditionally regarded among Hindus to be the birthplace of their deity Ram, the history and location of the Babri Masjid mosque at the site, and whether a previous Hindu temple was demolished or modified to create the mosque. The final judgement in the Ayodhya dispute was declared by the Supreme Court of India on 9 November 2019. The Supreme Court ordered the disputed land (2.77 acres) to be handed over to a trust (to be created by the government of India) to build the Ram Janmabhoomi (revered as the birthplace of the Hindu deity, Ram) temple.
Moving over the faith-related debates and disputes, there is a beacon of light here as the Muslim artisans from Agra who are actively involved in the crafting work of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya view it as a source of great fortune and take immense pride in contributing their artistry to the temple's construction. A total of 65 craftsmen from two Agra-based companies, Jai Constructions and Rajput Enterprises, are dedicated to meticulously carving the red sandstones using traditional tools.
For these Muslim craftsmen, participating in the carving work is considered a privilege and a point of pride. Notably, the red sandstone sourced from Fatehpur Sikri and other areas of Agra has not only been used in the construction of the Ram Temple but has also left its mark on the architecture of the old Parliament building. This same distinctive stone has played a role in the construction of notable structures like the Fatehpur Sikri Fort, Agra Fort, and several other architectural marvels dating back to the Mughal era.
Lord Dolar Popat told Asian Voice, “As the sun sets on the eve of Diwali, we gather to celebrate not only the lighting of lamps but the illumination of our hearts and minds with the upcoming inauguration of the magnificent Ayodhya Ram Temple in India. This momentous occasion carries a significance that transcends the boundaries of faith and religion, speaking to the core of our shared humanity. The temple stands as a symbol of hope, a beacon of peace that invites individuals of every faith to come together, to appreciate the values of justice, compassion, and sacrifice that the story of Lord Ram represents. In a time when the world faces challenges that often seem insurmountable, the Ayodhya Ram Temple inauguration calls upon us to reflect on our shared values, to extend a hand of friendship to our neighbours, and to celebrate our common humanity. It reminds us that we can all find inspiration in the epic of Ramayan, in the journey of a hero who fought for what is right and just, and in the message of hope that resonates across cultures and creeds.”
Trupti Patel, President Hindu Forum of Britain and Trustee of the HFB Charity told the newsweekly, “This Diwali, Dharmic people from all walks of life saw their dream of Shree Ram-Mandir come into existence; the promise of 'The Place of worship ' after hundreds of years of persecution, and dispute truly shows that truth always wins. We must remember thousands of people who perished in the fight to have Shree Ram-mandir at its rightful location. All Sanatani states ' eternal Dharma reestablished in the form of Shree Ram-Mandir will guide us for future path of righteous existence'.”
Lord Rami Ranger CBE said, “Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is the most sacred place for Hindus all over the world and to have access to the place associated with Lord Rama will be a remarkable treat for them. “It will be a place for everyone to visit even for the non-Hindus to see the splendour of Lord Rama's place and love for Him in the hearts of so many.”
The inauguration
Swami Govind Dev Giri Maharaj, the treasurer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, has officially announced that the consecration of the idol of Lord Ram in Ayodhya is set to take place on January 22, 2024, at 12:20 p.m. This momentous event is anticipated to draw approximately 7,500 attendees, including 5,000 sadhus and saints.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is confirmed to be in attendance at the inauguration ceremony and has expressed his deep privilege in witnessing this historic occasion. During the ceremony, the prime minister will personally perform the "Pran Pratishtha" ritual, symbolizing the rich history and culture of the nation. Other esteemed dignitaries, such as RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, will also be present for this significant event.
The sculpting of three idols depicting Lord Ram in his childhood form is currently underway, with one of them ultimately being selected for installation. Ayodhya is preparing to welcome over one lakh visitors to the temple in a single day.
A truly global Indian festival
Recently, social media was inundated with photographs of the Durga Puja pandal and its decor, which featured a theme inspired by the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. This distinctive pandal was orchestrated by the Santosh Mitra Square Puja Committee and was inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The illuminated community Durga Puja pandal was intricately designed to replicate the grandeur of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
Fast forward approximately four decades, the "Indo-Russian Friendship Association" known as Disha has resurrected the grand spectacle of the Ramayan through their Ramleela performances. Their rendition of Lord Rama's story follows Valmiki's narrative without pausing at Tulsidas's version. In Ayodhya, the Deepotsav festival has been a cherished tradition for many years, attracting artists from more than twenty nations to partake in Ramleela performances.
In 2023, the India-Russia Friendship Association "Disha" is spearheading the organization of Ramleela as a central part of the Deepotsav festival. They are extending invitations to artists from diverse countries who will take the stage to pay tribute to Lord Rama and celebrate Indian mythological tales.
Gennady Mikhailovich Pechinkov, renowned as the "Russian Rama," has dedicated nearly two decades to staging Ramleela. His numerous visits to India and the prestigious awards he has received, including the Padma Shri, underscore the significant contributions he has made to this art form.
Ayodhya completely booked to witness the event
Even before the inauguration date of the Ram Temple approached, starting July 2023, there has reportedly been a significant surge in the demand for hotel reservations in Ayodhya for January 2024. Tour operators and hotel reception desks are working tirelessly to manage the sudden influx of inquiries and reservations from devout individuals eager to participate in the consecration ceremony taking place between January 15 and 24. The region boasts an array of accommodation options, including over 100 hotels in Faizabad and Ayodhya, ranging from luxurious establishments to budget-friendly, economical lodgings, as well as lesser-known guest houses, dharamshalas, and homestays/paying guest houses. Additionally, there are four government guest houses with a combined total of 35 rooms. District administration officials have reported that approximately 50 small guest houses are currently under construction and are expected to be ready for occupancy by November.
The Ram Mandir is about to stand tall to welcome its devotees from all walks of life and faiths. While history hasn’t been kind to this land, Maryada Purushottam Ram has been an idol for believers and non-believers. ABPL Chief Editor, CB Patel once met the Prime Minister of Guyana who told him people from all walks of life sing verses of Ramayan back in his country. That battle of lands is over, and we do have a verdict by the highest court of order. Yet, the world lives in fear of another ongoing war.
It’s worth reminiscing the words of Javed Akhtar who wrote a song in the Ramleela picturised in the Shah Rukh Khan starrer movie, Swades. “Mann se Ravan jo nikaale, Ram uske mann mein hai” (whoever removes Ravan (evil) from their heart, Ram (light) resides inside them). Maybe it's time to reflect and welcome the lord.
