Being the birthplace of Lord Ram, who was an avatar of Lord Vishnu, the city of Ayodhya has held immense significance for Hindus all over the world. For the longest time, the city and the site of Lord Ram’s birth were subjected to many disputes between the Hindu and Muslim communities. Millions have been waiting for the inauguration of this architectural marvel and their wait is finally over.
People from all over the world have been preparing the offerings to be presented to their beloved Lord Ram when the temple opens for the public. Expected to be third among the world’s largest Hindu temples, it is all set to be inaugurated in January 2024 and devotees of Lord Ram all over the world are excited.
☀ In 1528, Mughal emperor Babur constructed a mosque at the site which is claimed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram in Ayodhya. It is believed that before the construction of the mosque, a temple stood at the spot.
☀ However, in 1949 an idol of Lord Ram was discovered at the site which led to protests by the Muslim community. In light of these events, the mosque was locked because the government considered it to be a property in dispute.
☀ In 1986, the Rajiv Gandhi-led Congress administration opened the disputed site to Hindu devotees.
☀ The Allahabad High Court ordered a status quo on the contested structure in 1989.
☀ In 1992, the mosque was demolished by kar-sevaks as part of a rath yatra. This led to violent clashes between the Hindu and Muslim communities.
☀ Ten years later, in 2002, a train boarded by Hindu activists was set on fire in Godhra. This incident again led to riots between the two communities.
☀ Finally, in 2019, the long-standing dispute came to a resolution because of a Supreme Court verdict that granted the land for the construction of the Ram Mandir and also allotted 5 acres of land for the construction of the Babri Masjid.
☀ In 2020, a 15-member trust was established to monitor the construction of the temple and by August, the construction began with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi laying the foundation of the temple.
Prominent personalities from different industries are expected to attend the inauguration ceremony. Religious and spiritual leaders and heads of religious institutions like Yogi Adityanath and Baba Ramdev, notable media personalities, political leaders, and former Prime Ministers will be part of the guest list.
Invitations have been sent to industrialists like Gautam Adani, Ratan Tata, and Mukesh Ambani. From the sports field, cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli have been invited and actors like Amitabh Bachchan and Akshay Kumar from the film fraternity have been sent invites as well. Arun Govil who played Lord Ram and Deepika Chhikalia who played Mata Sita in Doordarshan’s Ramayana are also expected to be present for the ceremony.
The Ram Janmabhoomi Movement has been the driving force behind the construction of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir. It dates back to the 1980s and its initiation is credited to the Hindu Vishwa Parishad. This movement aimed to reclaim the land that is considered to be Ram Janmabhoomi or the birthplace of Lord Ram. Its journey has been full of trials and tribulations and one marred by various controversies.
A major part of the movement was the 1992 Rath Yatra to Ayodhya. However, the movement finally gained success in 2019 when the Supreme Court ruled that the construction of Ram Mandir would take place at the site. A trust called the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra was also established to oversee the construction of the temple.
☀ The style of architecture chosen for the esteemed temple is the Nagara style which hails from the 5th century and is evident in the temples of Khajuraho and the Sun Temple in Konark.
☀ Many structures in India are built in this style and they all generally have certain common features like mandapas which are basically assembly and prayer halls, a shikhara right at the top of the temple, and a vahana which is the mount of the principal deity residing in the temple.
☀ The main 3-storeyed temple complex of the Ram Mandir will be constructed in 10 acres of land.
☀ It will have many striking features that will add to its grandeur like 5 mandapas and 1 shikhar.
☀ Every floor will be 20 feet tall and will have over 200 pillars.
☀ It will also have a percota that will be 14 feet wide and its four corners will be in honor of four deities including Lord Shiva, Surya Dev, Lord Ganesha, and Maa Bhagwati.
☀ The remaining 57 acres will be the surrounding area of the temple complex.
☀ Ram Lalla i.e. the infant form of Lord Ram, will be the presiding deity in this magnificent temple that will be 161 feet tall.
However, along with the Lord Ram idol, it will also have the idols of the many avatars of Lord Shiva, the 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu, along with all the 12 avatars of Goddess Saraswati. Housing so many deities, it will be one of the world’s largest Hindu temples.
The religious landscape of India is vibrant and the inauguration of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir will add another hue to it. The prestigious Ram temple is a symbol of the rich Hindu culture and traditions and perfectly captures its essence. It is located in the region of Ayodhya and will be a major attraction of the region.
Not only will it be a major religious site but it will also be a very significant place of cultural relevance that will be a symbol of Hindu faith and devotion. The temple has seen completion after three long years. Its inauguration will be a historical event and will be one of the most visited pilgrimage centers.
The Ram Mandir is being constructed on the banks of the river Sarayu.
The design of the Ram Mandir has been given by Chandrakant Sompura who is the chief architect of the temple.
The construction of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir was started on 5th August 2020 and took 3 years to complete.
Many Political leaders were behind the movement for the Ram Mandir including L.K Advani and Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
The temple is set to be inaugurated in January 2024 and should be ready by December 2025.
The Ram Janmabhoomi Temple has been part of controversy since the 1850s because a mosque was constructed in its place by the Mughal emperor Babur.
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