Prime Minister Narendra Modi today laid down a silver brick to mark the foundation ceremony of Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
The construction of the grand Ram temple at Ayodhya, whose ‘bhoomi pujan’ was performed on Wednesday, is expected to be completed in the next three years, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) said.
VHP international president Vishnu Sadashiv Kokje said there is enthusiasm among Hindus across the world over the foundation stone laying ceremony for the Ram temple. He also blamed the Congress for the delay in the temple’s construction, PTI reported.
Earlier today, beginning his speech with the slogan of “Jai Siya Ram,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the event a historic occasion. “I am grateful to witness history being made. Crores of Indians cannot believe that this day has come. The entire country is in the spell of Lord Ram,” Modi said after he laid down a silver brick to mark the foundation ceremony of Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Modi was among the 175 people present at the ceremony. He shared the dais with just four other people — RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, trust chief Nritya Gopaldas Maharaj, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, and CM Yogi Adityanath. Keeping in mind the pandemic, seating arrangements were made in accordance with social distancing principles. Before this, the prime minister along with Adityanath had offered prayers at Hanuman Garhi. Modi also paid a visit to Ram Janmabhoomi.
In pictures | PM Modi performs bhoomi pujan for Ram temple in Ayodhya
A computerised 3D view of the Ram temple
Fire brigade personnel sanitise the area near Saket Degree College ahead of the ground breaking ceremony for the Ram Temple, in Ayodhya. (Photo: PTI)
Workers clean Ram Ki Paidi in Ayodhya. (Photo: PTI)
BJP MP from Bangalore South Tejavi Surya on Wednesday triggered a fresh controversy after he tweeted that the “control of state power by Hindus is absolutely essential for sustenance of Dharma”. His tweet came even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed the bhoomi pujan of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
“Dear Hindus, Most important lesson is that control of State power by Hindus is absolutely essential for sustenance of Dharma. When we didn’t control State, we lost our temple. When we regained, we rebuilt. The 282 in 2014 & 303 in 2019 to Sri @narendramodi made today possible!” the 29-year-old posted on Twitter. Read the full report here.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant Wednesday said that laying of foundation for a Ram temple in Ayodhya is like a "dream coming true for Lord Ram devotees".
In a video message, Sawant recalled leaders like L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, (late) Atal Bihari Vajpayee who had spearheaded the movement for the construction of the temple.
"Several Ram bhakts have sacrificed their lives for this day. We are lucky to witness this day," he said.
"This day will remain etched in the memory of every Indian. May the blessings of Bhagwan Shree Ram always be upon us. May India scale new heights of progress. May every Indian be healthy and prosperous," Prime Minister Modi said in a tweet.
The construction of the grand Ram temple at Ayodhya, whose 'bhoomi pujan' was performed on Wednesday, is expected to be completed in the next three years, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) said.
VHP international president Vishnu Sadashiv Kokje said there is enthusiasm among Hindus across the world over the foundation stone laying ceremony for the Ram temple. He also blamed the Congress for the delay in the temple's construction, PTI reported.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanth presented an idol of Lord Ram to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the foundation stone laying ceremony of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Wednesday said the struggle of several years materialised with the 'bhoomi pujan' of a Ram temple in Ayodhya, and this day will be written in golden letters in history books.
The beginning of construction of a grand temple of Lord Ram on Wednesday proves that the BJP always fulfils its commitments, he said. (PTI)
Soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed the ‘bhoomi poojan’ of the proposed Ram temple in Ayodhya, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said Lord Ram was the ultimate embodiment of supreme human values and could never appear in cruelty, hatred or injustice.
Tweeting in Hindi, Gandhi said, “Maryada Purshottam Lord Ram is the ultimate embodiment of supreme human values. He is the core of humanism embedded deep in our hearts”.
“Ram is love, he can never appear in hatred. Ram is compassion, he can never appear in cruelty. Ram is justice, he can never appear in injustice,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mother Heeraben watching the Ayodhya Bhoomi Poojan event.
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Wednesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's attendance at the Ram Temple "Bhoomi Pujan" event in Ayodhya was a"victory of Hindutva over secularism".
"The Prime Minister of India going over there and attending this Bhoomi Poojan... today is a victory of Hindutva over secularism," Owaisi was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
"Today is a victory of majoritarianism over liberty and equality. By attending, the Prime Minister has not only laid the foundation of a Mandir but also the foundation of a Hindu Rashtra," Owaisi told reporters.
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed 'Bhoomi Pujan' for the Ram temple in Ayodhya, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Wednesday called for preserving brotherhood between communities and the age-old legacy of unity in diversity.
"Our country has always upheld the age-old legacy of unity in diversity, and we must preserve this to our last breath!" she tweeted.
After performing the ‘bhoomi pujan’ of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday said the wait of centuries has ended and that India is creating a golden chapter in Ayodhya. Beginning his speech with ‘Jai Siya Ram’, the Prime Minister told the gathering that a grand temple will be built for ‘Ram Lalla’, the infant Ram, who had been living in a temporary tent for years. He said that the construction of the Ram temple is an instrument to unite the country.
Here are some of the top quotes from his address:
“India is creating a golden chapter in Ayodhya, wait of centuries ends today.”
“Grand temple will be built for Ram Lalla who lived in a temporary tent for years.”
“Many people made sacrifices for Ram temple, I pay respect to all of them.”
“Ram temple construction in Ayodhya will lift the entire region’s economy.”
“Despite efforts to eradicate Lord Ram’s existence, he still lives in our heart and is the basis of our culture.”
“Ram temple construction is the instrument to unite the country.”
“Social harmony was the core principle of Lord Ram’s governance.”
“Ram is everywhere, Ram belongs to all.”
Read more quotes here.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the "leader of five centuries" who resolved the equally old dispute with his efficient leadership and paved the way for the construction of a grand temple of Lord Ram in Ayodhya.
"The country had seen many big leaders who had led effectively. The country also saw leaders (of calibre) who were unique in a decade and even in a century. But PM Modiji has become the leader of five centuries," Chouhan said in a tweet.
In another tweet, he said, "The illustrious Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, has not only ended the 500-year-old dispute with his efficient leadership but also paved the way for the construction of a grand temple of Lord Ram. This has become possible due to the strong will of Modiji and by the blessings of Shriram".
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi Wednesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has "violated the oath of the office" after he laid the foundation stone of Ram temple in Ayodhya.
"India is a secular country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has violated the oath of the office by laying the foundation stone of Ram Temple. This is the day of the defeat of democracy and secularism and success of Hindutva," Owaisi was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
"The Prime Minister today said he was emotional. I want to say that I am also equally emotional because I believe in coexistence and equality of citizenship. Mr. Prime Minister, I am emotional because a mosque stood there for 450 years," he added.
Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya Wednesday in a tweet said that control over the state by Hindus was “absolutely essential” for the “sustenance of dharma”. He also said that Hindus “lost” the temple earlier because they had no power over the state. “When we regained, we rebuilt,” he said.
"With the foundation laying ceremony of Ram Temple, India has shown how the 500-year-old dispute has been resolved peacefully," Union Minister Prakash Javadekar told news agency ANI on Wednesday.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said Lord Ram is the ultimate embodiment of supreme human values and can never appear in cruelty, hatred, or injustice. In a tweet in Hindi, Gandhi said, "Maryada Purshottam Lord Ram is the ultimate embodiment of supreme human values. He is the core of humanism embedded deep in our hearts".
The Ram Temple in Ayodhya, whose ‘bhoomi pujan’ will be performed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (August 5) is being built by the Sompura family of temple architects, led by the patriarch Chandrakant Sompura who first visited the site where the Babri Masjid once stood more than 30 years ago. Read our full report here.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ayodhya for a grand groundbreaking ceremony for Ram Mandir. Here's what all happened today.
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu Wednesday offered prayers with his family at his residence on the occasion of Bhoomi Puja for the construction of Ram Temple. "The Vice President described the construction of the temple as a re-coronation of the highest human values of truth, morality, and ideals that the Maryada Purushottam epitomized during his life," his office said in a tweet.
Patna’s Mahavir Mandir Trust said it will be distributing 1.25 lakh ‘Raghupati Laddoos’. Of the total number of this special Indian sweet, 51,000 laddoos are to be given to Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on the occasion of the “bhoomi pujan”.
Made of pure cow ghee, the remaining amount of laddoos will be sent to the temples in Janaki’s birthplace at Sitamarhi in Bihar and 25 other pilgrimage places where it is believed that Lord Ram’s footprints lie. They will also be distributed among devotees of Lord Ram and Hanuman in different parts of Bihar, said Mahavir Mandir trustee Acharya Kishore Kunal.
Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa and his cabinet colleagues greeted people on the occasion of the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya on Wednesday. In a series of tweets, Yediyurappa, under treatment for coronavirus in a private hospital, said, "after centuries, the coronation of Lord Rama will take place in Ayodhya..." He added many saints, monks and devotees sacrificed their lives to realise the dream of a temple, which will become a reality soon. People faced numerous difficulties in their struggle to see that the temple was built.
"Construction of magnificent temple of Lord Ram demonstrates PM Narendra Modi's strong & decisive leadership. My heartiest congratulations to all Indians on this unforgettable day. Modi govt is committed to protecting & preserving Indian culture and its values," Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted. Shah, who tested positive for novel coronavirus, is undergoing treatment.
"Many people made sacrifices for the Ram temple. I pay my respects to all of them," the prime minister said after the ground-breaking ceremony of the temple at the spot where many devout Hindus believe Lord Ram was born. Despite efforts to eradicate Lord Ram's existence, he lives in our hearts and is the basis of our culture, Modi said. "Social harmony was the core principle of Lord Ram's governance," the prime minister said. The construction of the Ram temple, he said, is an instrument to unite the country. The Ram temple construction will lift the economy of the entire region, Modi said. The prime minister unveiled a plaque and released a commemorative postal stamp.
"I believe that this grand Ram temple to be built in Ayodhya, like the name of Shri Ram, will reflect the rich heritage of Indian culture. I believe it will inspire the entire humanity till eternity. Social harmony was core principle of Lord Ram's governance. Ram is everywhere, Ram belongs to all," PM Modi said.
"With the construction of this temple, not only history is being made, but is being repeated. The way boatmen to tribals helped Lord Ram, the way children helped Lord Krishna lift Govardhan mountain, similarly, with everyone's efforts temple construction will be completed," PM Modi said likening the fight for temple to the freedom struggle. "Ram Mandir will transform the economy of Ayodhya. Ram resides in the culture of India's neigbours. Ram is an emblem of India's Unity in Diversity."
A grand temple will now be built for our Ram Lalla who had been staying in a tent. Today Ram janmbhoomi breaks free of the cycle of breaking and getting built again - that had been going on for centuries. Whole India is celebrating today. Golden history has been scripted on the banks of Sarayu river. Ram Temple will be modern symbol of our culture and will teach us love, faith and dedication
"I am grateful to witness history being made. Crores of Indians cannot believe that this day has come. The entire country is in the spell of Lord Ram. I express gratitude to all citizens of this nation, Indian diaspora across the world and all the devotees of Lord Ram on today's pious occasion," PM Modi said.
Starting his speech with "Jai Siya Ram", Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended congratulations on the beginning of construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya. "I am fortunate that I could join this auspicious occasion. Chants of Jai Siya Ram can be heard across the world."
Indian-Americans across the US celebrated the foundation stone laying ceremony of the historic Ram Temple in the holy city of Ayodhya by lighting diyas and taking around a tableau truck displaying digital images of the Ram Temple around the US Capitol Hill. In Washington, members from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, America took out a tableau truck on Tuesday with the digital image of Ram Temple, and went around the Capitol Hill with chanting of slogans 'Jai Shri Ram' and moving around the city later. In other parts of the US, Hindu community members lit diyas at home. A mega event is scheduled at New York's iconic Times Square wherein images of Lord Ram and the proposed temple would be on display on gigantic screens.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat hailed the sacrifices made during the struggle for Ram Temple. "Due to the pandemic, many in spirit at the ceremony. So many people had sacrificed, they couldn't be here physically. 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."
Stressing that all covid-19 precautions were followed, CM Yogi Adityanath said, "Under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, the power of India's democratic values and its judiciary has shown the world that how can matters by resolved peacefully, democratically and constitutionally. All those who could not participate in the ceremony today, will be included later."
President Ram Nath Kovind congratulates all on the inauguration of Ram Mandir construction. 'Felicitations to all for the foundation laying of Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Being built in tune with law, it defines India’s spirit of social harmony and people’s zeal. It will be a testimony to ideals of RamRajya and a symbol of modern India,' he tweeted.
After the ceremony, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister addressed the gathering. Hailing the contribution of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Yogi Adityanath welcomed the other esteemed guests to the ceremony. "Today is an auspicious day. This marks the end of the struggle of decades. A journey of over 500 years has been ratified by the Indian judiciary and constitution."
The bhoomi and shila pujan will include chanting of mantras, and after shovelling the earth, a worship of the ground and shila. Officials in Ayodhya said 40-kg brick made of pure silver will be used for the bhoomi pujan. Soil has been brought in from more tha n 1500 places, while holy water has been collected from 2,000 places
Bricks engraved with 'Jai Shri Ram' used in bhoomi pujan
The temple has been planned in the Nagar ‘shaili’ (a style of temple architecture where the temple tower is built over the sanctum sanctorum. The other major style is the Dravidian, which includes gopurams), and is far bigger than what had been originally planned. Three more spires have been added, one in front and two at the sides, to extend the gudh mandap (the covered porch); the number of columns has gone up from around 160 in the original plan to 366 (160 on the ground floor, 132 on first floor, 74 on second floor); the width of the stairway to the ‘Ram Darbar’ on the first floor has been expanded from 6 feet to 16 feet. The height of the temple has been increased from 141 feet to 161 feet, its width from 160 feet to 235 feet, and its length from 280 feet to 360 feet.
The expansion was made because the government wanted space for “more people”, says Ashish. As per the plan, each column will have 16 idols, which will include the ‘Dashavataras’, the ‘chausath joginis’, all the incarnations of Shiva, and the 12 incarnations of the Goddess Saraswati. The unique feature of the Ram Mandir will be the octagonal shape of the sanctum sanctorum, in keeping with the design provided in the shastras for a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers prayers to Ram Lalla
At the Hanuman Garhi temple, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was gifted a headgear, a silver crown and a stole with the name of Lord Ram printed on it. “Prime Minister Modi is coming and it is a matter of pride for Ayodhya. Many Prime Ministers took office but none apart from Prime Minister Modi came for laying the foundation stone for Ram temple," the head priest of the temple said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Ram Janmabhoomi today, ahead of the grand ground-breaking ceremony in Ayodhya. Before this, the prime minister along with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had offered prayers at Hanuman Garhi. Modi is among the 175 people who will be present at the ceremony. He will share the dais with just four other people — RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, trust chief Nritya Gopaldas Maharaj, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, and CM Yogi Adityanath.
Flanked by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached the Hanuman Garhi temple, where he is scheduled to spend about seven minutes. He is subsequently expected to visit the makeshift Ram Lalla temple, made of wood and glass, and offer flowers to the deity.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Ayodhya for the ground-breaking ceremony of Ram Temple. He was received by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Social distancing protocols were maintained as circles were drawn for the leaders and both were seen wearing masks.
Ahead of the Ram temple "bhoomi pujan", BSP supremo Mayawati on Wednesday credited the Supreme Court for paving the way for its construction in Ayodhya and advised all to accept the decision. "As everyone knows, Ayodhya is a holy city of different religions. But it had been embroiled in a controversy for years due to Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid land dispute. The dispute was ended by the Supreme Court and it has also stopped to some extent politics around it played by some political parties," Mayawati said in a series of tweets in Hindi. "Due to the SC verdict, foundation of Ram temple is being laid and a lot of its credit goes to the SC. BSP from the beginning said that it would accept the SC decision. It should be accepted by all. This is advice of BSP," she added.
In an opinion piece in The Indian Express, PB Mehta writes, "Today, those who waged war in your name will consecrate your temple at Ayodhya. They are describing this as the ultimate act of devotion to you, the ultimate obeisance to your sovereignty. They are, they say, reclaiming hallowed ground, desecrated by barbarous invaders. They are describing this as a cathartic overcoming of Hindu humiliation. They are describing this as a new renaissance for Ram Rajya. You will now be the symbol of a community united in strength, full of a new found pride. It will be said, secretly, this is restoring wholeness to a broken culture. But I know I will not find you there. This is because what is being consecrated is a monument to a violent, collective narcissism."
Chandrakant Sompura, 77, had started work on the temple to Ram Lalla in Ayodhya 30 years ago, after he first visited the site with then Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) president Ashok Singhal. From then to today, August 5, is the longest time a project commissioned to the Sompuras has taken for the ground-breaking, says the patriarch, whose family has designed around 200 temples in India and abroad. “Usually we see the bhoomi poojan happen within 2-3 years,” says Sompura, who will be watching Prime Minister Narendra Modi perform the shilanyas of the temple live, on television.
Sompura had drawn up 2-3 plans for the temple, one of which was approved by the VHP, which had then taken up the task of building the temple. A wooden model was made, and at the Kumbh Mela that followed, the model was placed before the assembled sadhus, who gave their approval. Sompura recalls that before the Babri Masjid was razed, then Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao had called him to ask if he would make an alternative plan for the temple to Lord Ram while keeping the mosque.
Among their projects have been the private temple in the Ambani home at Antilla in Mumbai. The family has built the Akshardham temples in the country. Read more
Days after Uma Bharti said she will skip the ceremony, the BJP leader today said that she will infact attend the ceremony as instructed by Ramjanmabhoomi Trust. Bharti on Monday had said she would not attend the ground breaking ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on August 5. Instead, Bharti said she would be on the banks of the Saryu river and visit the site and offer prayers to ‘Ram Lalla’ after the event had concluded.
Uttar Pradesh: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Governor Anandiben Patel and BJP National Vice President Uma Bharti arrive at Ram Janambhoomi site ahead of the ceremony
With the pandemic having put paid to the Shri Ram Janambhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust’s desire to have “all those who participated in the 77th revolution of the temple in 1984” attend Wednesday’s Ram temple groundbreaking ceremony, 175 people are being invited for the event, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the chief guest to initiate it. According to the Trust’s general secretary, Champat Rai, the invitees include 135 religious leaders from 36 spiritual traditions across the country. The other invitees include Union and state ministers, BJP leaders, RSS office-bearers and dignitaries connected to the VHP, among others
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of the proposed Ram temple in Ayodhya in a curtailed ‘Bhoomi Pujan’ ceremony today. The event marks the beginning of the construction of a grand Ram temple in the temple town. Here's the timeline of events from Babri Masjid to Ram Temple
The Uttar Pradesh Information Department on Tuesday put out a detailed itinerary for the bhoomi pujan ceremony for the Ram temple at Ayodhya, starting with prayers being offered to Lord Ganesha at 12.30 pm by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This will be followed by worship of the main shila made of silver, the worship of the land on which the temple will be built, and prayers to other eight smaller shilas, including the koormshila or shila of a turtle. The last will be right under where the idol of Ram Lalla will be kept at the temple. Between “exactly” 12.44 pm and 12.45 pm, a lotus flower made of “five elements” and decorated with nine stones will be kept on the koormshila — marking the “pratishthapayami (installation)”.
Modi is scheduled to arrive at Lucknow airport at 10.35 am and fly down to the Saket Degree College helipad in Ayodhya at 11.30 am. His first stop will be the Hanuman Garhi temple where, after a seven-odd-minute stay, he will reach Ram Janmabhoomi area by noon and offer prayers at the makeshift Ram Lalla temple.
The new design was finalised in a meeting of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, the body formed to facilitate construction of Ram temple, on July 18.
In the new design, three domes have been added — one in front, and two at the sides. The number of columns have gone up from about 160 to 366; and the width of the stairway has been expanded from 6 feet to 16 feet.
The sanctum sanctorum will be octagonal in keeping with the design by shastras for temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad shares the sketch from the original document of the Constitution of India showing Lord Ram, Sita and Laxman returning to Ayodhya after defeating Ravan.
Modi is scheduled to arrive at Lucknow airport at 10.35 am and fly down to the Saket Degree College helipad in Ayodhya at 11.30 am. His first stop will be the Hanuman Garhi temple where, after a seven-odd-minute stay, he will reach Ram Janmabhoomi area by noon and offer prayers at the makeshift Ram Lalla temple.
L K Advani, the man who converted a local legal dispute into a national movement for the construction of the Ram Temple and infused it with the political capital that catapulted the BJP to power, will not be present when Prime Minister Narendra Modi lays the foundation stone for the temple in Ayodhya on Wednesday.
“Destiny made me perform a pivotal duty in the form of the Ram Rath Yatra,” Advani said on Tuesday, the eve of the ground-breaking ceremony. A year after the Palampur resolution of 1989, in which the BJP adopted the building of a temple at the birthplace of Lord Ram in Ayodhya as its political plank, Advani led the Yatra that galvanised the movement for the temple and split Indian politics into a deep and bitter secular-communal divide. “Sometimes significant dreams in one’s life take a long time to fruition, but when they are finally realised, the wait becomes very worthwhile. One such dream, close to my heart is now getting fulfilled,” the 92-year-old Advani said in a statement issued on Tuesday.
Champat Rai, the general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust set up to build and run the temple, said soil from more than 1,500 holy places and water from more than 2,000 such sites, including rivers, has reached Ayodhya. These places, according to the Trust, include Haldighati and Chittor Fort (linked to Maharana Pratap), Golden Temple in Amritsar, Vaishno Devi in Jammu, the Satti Chaura ghat in Kanpur and the fort of Nana Saheb nearby (both sites of the 1857 mutiny), Ravidas Temple in Varanasi and all the ‘Jyotirlings’.
According to the Trust’s general secretary, Champat Rai, although the main programme will take place today, prayers and worship had begun 108 days ago—on April 18—with regular recitation of the Vedas, Vastu, Grah, Nakshatra shanti path, Shri Ram naam paath, Hanuman naam paath and havan.
On Tuesday, prayers were offered to the nishan (flag) of Lord Hanuman, revered as the protector of the city. Prakash Sharma, former national convener of the Bajrang Dal and one of the organisers, said prayers were also offered at Ram Lalla. Starting Tuesday, all local temples started a continuous Akhand Ramayan recitation with temples and homes being lit as in Diwali. The same will continue August 5 night. On Monday, Champat Rai, said 175 people would attend the bhoomi pujan, including 135 saints.
Construction of the temple will begin after Wednesday’s programme and members of the Trust said that it will be ready in six months to a year.
In the backdrop of the bhoomi pujan ceremony for the Ram temple, scheduled to be held in Ayodhya on Wednesday, the Pune Rural Police has issued prohibitory orders against sending or posting messages which can potentially lead to communal disharmony or a law and order situation.
Superintendent of Police for Pune Rural jurisdiction, Sandeep Patil, said that orders under the provisions of the Maharashtra Police Act have been issued by sub-divisional police officers for their respective jurisdictions in the district.
One such order, issued by Sub-Divisional Police Officer for Baramati, Narayan Shirgaonkar, read, “Persons or groups of persons should refrain from sending or posting any message, video, audio on any phone messenger or social media platform, which would potentially lead to communal, religious or social disharmony. People should also refrain for sending, spreading, forwarding any fake, new or unverified information on these platforms. These orders are being issued with reference to the scheduled ceremony in Ayodhya on August 5.” Read more
Nine 'pahans' or tribal priests left for Ayodhya on Tuesday carrying with them the soil of Jharkhand and the water of rivers flowing through the state for the Ram Mandir bhoomi pujan ceremony.
Chief priest Jag Lal Pahan said Lord Ram is God of all sections of the people and the opportunity to take part in the ritual for a grand temple dedicated to the deity is a proud moment for the priests.
BJP legislative party leader, Babulal Marandi who saw them off said that the participation of the tribal priests is a matter of pride for Jharkhand as Prime Minister Narendra Modi will offer puja at the occasion on Wednesday. (PTI)
Senior BJP leader L K Advani Tuesday said foundation stone laying of Ram temple by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a "historical and emotional day not only for me but for all Indians", PTI reported.
"It's my belief Ram Mandir will represent India as strong, prosperous, harmonious nation with justice for all and exclusion of none," he said.
Advani, who played a key role in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, said Lord Ram is an embodiment of grace, dignity and decorum and that his temple will "inspire all Indians to imbibe his virtues".
"Humbled that in Ram Janmabhoomi movement, destiny made me perform pivotal duty in the form of Ram Rath Yatra in 1990," he added.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) volunteers will light diyas at its headquarter here in Maharashtra on Wednesday and will recite 'Hanuman Chalisa' and 'Ramcharit Manas' to mark "bhoomi pujan" for the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya, a Sangh functionary said on Tuesday.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat is one of the few invitees for the ceremony to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"Workers residing at the Sangh headquarter will light diyas and recite 'Hanuman Chalisa' and 'Ramcharit Manas' (traditional texts dedicated to Lord Hanuman and Lord Shriram, respectively) on Wednesday," the functionary told PTI.