In Ayodhya, the vibrant preparations for the historic inauguration of the Ram Mandir, revered as the sacred birthplace of Lord Ram, are in full swing. With eager anticipation, millions of Hindus from around the globe and across India await this momentous occasion.
Scheduled for January 22, the ceremony is set to be graced by the esteemed presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, drawing distinguished dignitaries and celebrities from all corners of the nation. It signifies a deeply significant and cherished moment for the Hindu community.
The Vedic rituals for the Pran-Pratishtha of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya will begin on January 16, a week before the primary ceremony. The main rituals, to be officiated by priest Lakshmi Kant Dixit from Varanasi, are scheduled for January 22, coinciding with the Amrit Mahotsav celebrations in Ayodhya from January 14 to January 22.
An estimated gathering of over a lakh devotees is anticipated in Ayodhya on January 22 for the 'pran pratishtha,' with approximately 7,000 guests from India and abroad invited for the event. Akbar Taj, a visually impaired Muslim bhajan singer and poet from Madhya Pradesh, expressed joy upon receiving an invitation to the Ram temple consecration ceremony.
Over 6,000 invitation cards for the grand consecration ceremony of 'Ram Lalla' have been sent out nationwide by the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The Trust is meticulously organising the 10-day festivities, set to commence from January 14, following Makar Sankranti.
This event holds historical significance due to the widespread participation of people from every corner of the country. Contributions are pouring in from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Arunachal to Gujarat for the construction of the grand Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
The construction of the Ram Mandir beautifully embodies the notion of 'Sabke Ram' (Lord Ram belongs to everyone). While the stone used in the temple's construction hails from Rajasthan, a team of carpenters from the temple towns of Tamil Nadu is designing 44 doors, including the Garbha Griha and the main entrance.
The Garbha Griha of Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir echoes ancient Bharat's heritage. In 1989, during the Shila Pujan, approximately 275,000 stones were sourced from across the country. During the Nidhi Samarpan Abhiyan, around twelve and a half crore families contributed, which equates to over 65 crore individuals, assuming an average of five members per family. Additionally, more than 3,000 workers from each state are actively involved in the Mandir's construction.
Grand celebrations in India
As the Ram Mandir inauguration nears, various states in India are holding distinct celebrations. In Jharkhand, an 85-year-old woman, Saraswati Devi, known as 'Mauni Mata,' who vowed to stay silent until her dream of the construction of Ram Mandir at the birthplace of Lord Ram is undertaken and its inauguration is done in the holy city, pledging to speak only after the Ram Mandir's inauguration on January 22.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's vision to turn Ayodhya into a solar-powered city sees the installation of 470 solar street lights across a 10.2 km stretch, aiming to set a Guinness World Record. Additionally, Chef Vishnu Manohar plans to create a 7-tonne 'Ram Halwa' for the consecration ceremony using a 12-tonne cauldron, distributing it to devotees and VIPs. Indore will celebrate the Ram Mandir inauguration akin to Diwali, lighting 1.11 crore 'diyas' and organizing various events from January 14.
A monumental flag pole, weighing over 5000 kilograms was crafted by Ambika Engineering Works in Ahmedabad. The emblematic brass flag pole was intricately designed for Ayodhya’s Ram Temple. After a meticulous two-year crafting process, the towering 44-foot pole is set to be installed at the main spire of the temple. Additionally, six other temples within the complex will feature similar flag poles. The exquisitely crafted pole safely reached Ayodhya and is now situated within the precincts of Ram Janmabhoomi, after a three-day journey. Meanwhile, from Vadodara, a farmer crafted a 108-feet-long incense stick for Lord Ram, en route to Uttar Pradesh, and a special Sita-themed saree from Surat will be presented during the idol consecration ceremony. Rathyatra (Chariots) is being carried out across the various parts of the country and now rice from temple premises is being distributed in households.
Indian diaspora preparing for Ram Mandir inauguration
Not only in Bharat, Hindus living abroad have the same level of enthusiasm for this day. As the spotlight shines on the grand ceremony, NRIs globally unite, echoing Diwali-like celebrations in honour of this significant event.
Members of the Hindu American community organised a large car rally in Houston in anticipation of the upcoming inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya later this month. They made stops at 11 temples along the route, engaging in singing bhajans and chanting 'Jai Shri Ram' throughout the event. More than 500 Indian-Americans participated in the rally, carrying saffron banners adorned with images of the Ram temple, the Indian flag, and the US flag. Additionally, the eagerly anticipated 'Pran-Pratishtha' (consecration) of Ram Lalla will be broadcast live not only across all Indian states but also at Indian embassies and consulates worldwide.
In the UK, Shri Vallabh Nidhi UK is going to organise one week celebrations of Ayodhya Dham at their Wembley and Leytonstone temple. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) played a significant role in advocating for the construction of a Ram temple at the Janmabhoomi site, gaining momentum in the 1980s, which is also supported by the Indian diaspora. The culmination of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement came on December 6, 1992, when a large gathering of kar sevaks (volunteers) organised by the VHP and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) converged at the disputed site in Ayodhya. The situation escalated, leading to the violent demolition of the Babri Mosque.
The demolition sparked inter-communal tensions between India's Hindu and Muslim communities that were felt globally. Hasmukh Velji Shah, Vice President, Trustee and Press Secretary of World Council of Hindus UK (Vishwa Hindu Parishad (UK)) highlighted severe repercussions in the UK. Hindu Mandirs, businesses, and leaders faced threats, property damage, and intimidation during the demotion.
In 2022, they also penned a letter to the former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, addressing accusations against Sadhavi Rithambhara Ji. This occurred amid the September 2022 Leicester riots, where extremists from cities like Huddersfield, Luton, Dewsbury, and Halifax allegedly targeted Hindus celebrating the Ganesh Chaturthi festival.
While Ram Mandir is a big win for the community all across the world, the diaspora unfortunately continues to face discriminations.