Today, millions of Hindus across India and the world are celebrating the opening of the Ram Mandir, a grand temple dedicated to Lord Ram, one of the most revered deities in Hinduism. The temple is located in Ayodhya, a holy city in Uttar Pradesh, where Hindus believe Lord Ram was born and ruled as a king.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The temple opening marks the culmination of a long and contentious legal and political battle over the ownership of the site, which was once occupied by a 16th-century mosque called the Babri Masjid. The mosque was demolished by Hindu activists in 1992, sparking communal riots that killed thousands of people. The Supreme Court of India finally settled the dispute in 2019, ruling in favor of the Hindus and paving the way for the construction of the temple.
The temple is expected to boost the religious tourism and the economy of Ayodhya, as well as the political fortunes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which have championed the cause of the temple for decades. Modi himself laid the foundation stone of the temple in August 2020, and is expected to inaugurate it today in a grand ceremony attended by thousands of devotees and dignitaries.
The temple is also seen as a symbol of faith and unity for many Hindus, who consider Lord Ram as an ideal ruler and a role model of righteousness, courage, and compassion. The temple’s design is inspired by the traditional Nagara style of architecture, and features a 161-foot-high main dome, five smaller domes, 360 pillars, and intricate carvings of scenes from the Ramayana, the epic that narrates the life and adventures of Lord Ram.
The temple’s opening coincides with the festival of Basant Panchami, which marks the onset of spring and the worship of Goddess Saraswati, the deity of learning and wisdom. Hindus believe that this is an auspicious day to start new ventures and seek blessings for success and prosperity.
The temple’s opening is also a historic moment for the reconciliation and harmony between Hindus and Muslims, who have often been at odds over the site and other issues. The Muslim community has accepted the court’s verdict and has been allotted a separate piece of land to build a new mosque in Ayodhya. Many Muslim leaders and organizations have also extended their greetings and goodwill to the Hindu community on the occasion of the temple opening.
The temple opening is thus a celebration of not only the faith and devotion of the Hindus, but also the diversity and democracy of India, where different religions and cultures coexist and respect each other. The temple is a testament to the spirit of Ayodhya, which means “a place where no war can happen”. It is a hope for a peaceful and prosperous future for all Indians. 🙏