‘Grand Temple for ‘Ram Lalla’ Who Had Been Staying in a Tent’: PM Modi
YODHYA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the first brick of grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya as per the ‘muhurat’ for ‘bhoomi pujan’. He was seen performing the ‘pooja’ at ‘Shree Ram Janmabhoomi’ along with UP governor Anandiben Patel and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.
Apart from PM Modi, the bhoomi pujan ceremony was attended by Sri Ram Janambhoomi Teerath Kshetra Trust chairman Nritya Gopal Das, RSS chief Bhagwat, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath.
Several important faces of the Ram Mandir movement such as Lal Krishna Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Kalyan Singh and Uma Bharti skipped the ceremony due to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. They joined the celebrations via video conferencing.Huge CCTV screens were set up across the holy city in order to allow the people to watch the ceremony live.
In a gold silk kurta and white dhoti, he had arrived by chopper to the riverside town – his first visit in 29 years and prayed at a Hanuman temple before laying a 40-kg silver brick in Ram Janmabhoomi, at a site disputed for decades until the Supreme Court handed over ownership to Hindus last year.
The historic event showcases the triumph of one of India’s longest campaigns, one that found resonance with millions in the country and abroad. “Ram sabke Hain, Ram Sab Mein hain. Lord Ram is present everywhere and in different avatars. Lord Ram is present in every characteristic that is synonymous with ‘Bharat’ (India),” PM Modi said.
“Today, this chant is not only reverberating in Ayodhya but across the world,” said the Prime Minister.”India is emotional as decades of wait has ended. Crores won’t believe that they have seen this day in our lifetime. For years, our Ram Lalla (infant Lord Ram) lived beneath a tent, now he will reside in a grand temple built by Ram bhakts. Today, Ram Janambhoomi has been liberated,” he said.
Addressing a gathering of 175 people in Ayodhya after performing ‘Bhoomi Pujan’ for the Ram Temple, PM Modi said its construction will lift the entire region’s economy, as he paid respect to the people who made sacrifices for the temple.
“A grand temple will now be built for our ‘Ram Lalla’ who had been staying in a tent… India is creating a golden chapter in Ayodhya, the wait of centuries ends today,” he was quoted as saying.
“Ram Mandir will become the modern symbol of our traditions. It’ll become a symbol of our devotion, our national sentiment. This temple will also symbolise the power of collective resolution of crores of people. It will keep inspiring the future generations.”
“The construction of the Ram Temple is an instrument to unite the country… Social harmony was the core principle of Lord Ram’s governance,” he was quoted by PTI as saying.
Mr Modi chanted “Siyavar Ram Chandra ki Jai!” and “Jai Siya Ram” as he addressed a gathering of spiritual leaders at Ayodhya after laying the first brick for a grand Ram temple.
After the ceremony, PM Modi in his address said, “Like August 15, today’s day holds a similar significance for crores of people who devoted their lives for the cause of Ram temple. The ‘mandir’ will mark a decisive change in the economy of Ayodhya.” He termed August 5 a ‘golden day’ and added that Ram Janmabhoomi stands ‘liberated’ today.
Before the stone laying ceremony, PM Modi stopped at Hanumangarhi Temple for ‘darshan’, following which he arrived at the Ram Mandir site and was seen taking part in ‘darshan’ of ‘Bhagwan Shree Ramlala Virajman’.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena has posted a controversial advertisement in today’s ‘Saamana’ with picture of Babri Masjid demolition with Balasaheb Thackeray’s statement: “I am proud of those who did this”.
Meanwhile RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, while remembering Ashok Singhal, Paramhans Das and LK Advani, said that (the beginning of temple constructions) proves “we can do what we want to do”.
“There are some who couldn’t come here, Advani ji must be at his home watching this. There are some who should’ve come, but couldn’t be invited because of the situation,” he was quoted by ANI as saying.
Bhagwat said there is wave of happiness across the country today. He pointed out that the COVID-19 outbreak led to many people sacrificing and not attending the event physically.
( Bureau Report with agency Inputs ).
