Introduction
For centuries, the people of India have been dreamers. They dreamt of Independence and they got it, they dreamt of setting foot in space and they achieved even that. But despite all of this, one dream remained unfulfilled and that was to see a grand temple at the site of the birth of Lord Ram.
After decades of court battles, rallies and struggles, the moment that millions have been waiting for is finally here as under the leadership of the PM Modi led government is all set to inaugurate the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya on 22nd January 2024.
Ram-Mandir-Ayodhya-Opening-Date
by Skeducator
The initiation of the temple's construction occurred during the Bhoomipujan ceremony on August 5, 2020, under the supervision of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
The Timeline
The Ram Mandir issue has been at the center stage of Indian politics for decades but the issue has been alive for centuries.
Two excavations took place at the site, with the initial one occurring in 1976-77 under the leadership of the renowned archaeologist BB Lal, who served as the director general of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) from 1968 to 1972.
During the first excavation, the contentious structure featured 12 reused temple pillars within the mosque. The excavation also revealed bases supporting many pillars. In the subsequent excavation, more than 50 pillar bases arranged in 17 rows were unveiled, indicating the grand scale of the structure. The discovered edifice was a temple beneath the Babri Mosque, dating back to the 12th century AD. Additionally, 263 terracotta objects depicting various gods, goddesses, human figures, and female figures were excavated.
In temples from the 12th and 13th centuries, the representation of 'Purna Kalasha' is commonly found at the base, symbolizing prosperity in Hinduism and known as 'Asht-Mangala Chinha' – one of the eight auspicious symbols. Similar elements were present in the Babri mosque, featuring 'Asht-Mangala Chinhas' though devoid of gods and goddesses. Consequently, based on these findings, any archaeologist would identify these as remnants of a temple.
And further the timeline unfolds accordingly:
1528-1529:
- Babri Masjid built in Ayodhya by Mir Baqi, commander of Mughal emperor Babur.
- Hindu groups claim it was constructed after demolishing a temple.
1853:
- First recorded communal clashes over the site.
1859:
- The British administration puts a fence around the site, marking separate areas for Hindu and Muslim worship.
1946:
- Akhil Bharatiya Ramayana Mahasabha starts agitation for possession of the disputed site.
1949:
- Idol of Lord Shri Ram ji placed inside the mosque, leading to a property dispute.
- State government declares the area as 'disputed' and locks the gates.
1950:
- Legal suits filed for the right to worship the idols.
1986:
- Lock is removed, and the site is opened for Hindu worship on the direction of the district court.
1989:
- Title suit filed by Bhagwan Shri Ramlalla Virajman at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Ayodhya.
1992:
- Babri Masjid demolished on December 6, leading to riots.
- Liberhan Commission formed to probe the destruction.
1993:
- 'Acquisition of Certain Areas at Ayodhya Act' passed for land acquisition by the Centre.
1994:
- Supreme Court rules in the Ismail Faruqui case that a mosque is not integral to Islam.
2002:
- Allahabad High Court begins hearing on determining ownership of the disputed site.
2010:
- Allahabad High Court rules for a three-way division of the disputed area.
2011:
- The Supreme Court puts a stay on the Allahabad HC's verdict.
2017:
- Chief Justice suggests out-of-court settlement.
- SC constitutes a three-judge bench to hear pleas challenging the 1994 verdict.
2018:
- SC reserves verdict.
- Declines to refer the case to a five-judge Constitution bench.
2019:
- SC sets up a five-judge Constitution Bench led by Former Supreme Court judge Ashok Bhushan, former CJI SA Bobde, former CJI Ranjan Gogoi, CJI DY Chandrachud, and former Supreme Court Judge S Abdul Nazeer.
- The Supreme Court also appointed Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, spiritual guru and founder of the Art of Living Foundation as one of three mediators in the Ayodhya case. The other two members were retired Supreme Court judge Justice Fakkir Mohamed Ibrahim Kalifulla and mediation expert Sriram Panchu.
- The SC ruled in favor of the Hindu side on November 9.
- Directs the Centre to allot a 5-acre plot to the Sunni Waqf Board for building a mosque.
2020:
- Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirtha Kshetra trust established.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi lays the foundation stone of the Ram temple on August 5.
2024:
- The Ram Temple is set to be inaugurated on January 22, 2024 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Historic Significance
In Hinduism, Lord Ram is revered as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and is a central figure in the ancient Indian epic, Ramayana. The narrative highlights his birthplace as Ayodhya. However, during the 16th century, Babur initiated a series of temple attacks in northern India, leading to the destruction of the Ayodhya temple. Subsequently, the Mughals erected the Babri Masjid on the same site, believed to be Prabhu Shri Ram's birthplace, known as Ram Janmabhoomi.
The earliest recorded mention of the mosque can be traced back to 1767 in the Latin book Descriptio India, written by the Jesuit missionary Joseph Tiefenthaler. According to Tiefenthaler, the mosque was constructed by demolishing the Ramkot temple, identified as Ram's fort in Ayodhya, and Bedi, the presumed location of Ram's birth.
Architecture and Construction of the Temple
The initial design for the Ram Temple was conceptualized by the Sompura family of Ahmedabad in 1988, renowned for their multi-generational involvement in designing over 100 temples worldwide, including the iconic Somnath Temple. Led by chief architect Chandrakant Sompura, with assistance from his architect sons Nikhil Sompura and Ashish Sompura, the design underwent revisions in 2020, incorporating elements from Hindu texts, Vastu Shastra, and Shilpa Shastra.
Adhering to the Gurjara-Chalukya style of Nagara architecture, the temple is envisaged to be 250 feet wide, 380 feet long, and 161 feet (49 m) high, ranking as the third-largest Hindu temple globally upon completion. Unveiled at the Prayag Kumbh Mela in 2019, the model presented a primary structure elevated on a three-story platform, featuring five pavilions in the sanctum sanctorum and at the entrance, adorned with shikharas in the Nagara style.
With 366 columns and intricately designed pillars, each housing 16 idols, including Lord Shiva’s incarnations, Dashavatara, Chausath Yoginis, and Goddess Saraswati incarnations, the temple will incorporate 16-foot-wide stairs and an octagonal sanctum sanctorum in line with Vishnu temple traditions. Encompassing 10 acres, the complex will utilize an additional 57 acres for a prayer hall, lecture hall, educational facilities, a museum, and a cafeteria, with an estimated capacity for over 70,000 visitors.
The primary temple structure incorporates meticulously selected materials from diverse states across India. Crafted with the distinctive pink sandstone of Bharatpur in Rajasthan, the temple also features premium teakwood from Maharashtra's lush forests for its intricate woodwork. Granite elements from Telangana and Karnataka, along with carefully chosen flooring from Madhya Pradesh, contribute to the temple's aesthetic appeal. Skilled workers from different states collaborate, showcasing a collective effort in the construction process.
Artistic elements, such as sandstone carving, are entrusted to talented artisans from Odisha, while the woodwork management involves a company from Andhra Pradesh with labor from Tamil Nadu, highlighting the diverse craftsmanship. Additionally, brassware is sourced from Uttar Pradesh, and gold detailing from Maharashtra enhances the temple's grandeur. Notably, the inclusion of 42 bells, sourced from Tamil Nadu, symbolizes the harmonious integration of materials and craftsmanship from across India in the creation of the Ram Mandir.
Larsen & Toubro, offering their services pro bono, oversee the temple's design and construction. Collaborative efforts from institutions such as the Central Building Research Institute, National Geophysical Research Institute, and IITs Bombay, Guwahati, and Madras contribute expertise in areas like soil testing, concrete, and design. The construction incorporates Rs 600,000 sandstone from Bansi, Rajasthan, employing a distinctive approach of eschewing iron usage and utilizing ten thousand copper plates to join stone blocks. In a culturally significant gesture, Thailand symbolically contributes to the temple's inauguration by sending soil to the Ram Janmabhoomi, building on a prior gesture of sending water from two rivers to honor the temple.
The People’s Temple
Over time, the construction of the temple of Lord Ram has attracted considerable media coverage, and understandably so, given the overt politicization associated with Lord Ram.
People still hold huge respect and love for him in their hearts. Lord Ram is not a God, he was a man who walked this Earth just like the rest of us. His actions are what separates him from the rest of us. Dedication for his Dharma, Respect for his Parents and Love for his people. This is what defines Lord Ram. He is an idol for the rest of us and all of us regardless of who we worship, what we speak and what we believe, strive to be better humans and be more like Lord Ram.
The People don’t care about a temple, says the blind, but, what they don’t know are the everyday commoners flocking to donate for the temple of their Prabu Ram. From beggars to transgenders to the rich and famous all the people of India regardless of their caste, creed and class have believed in the values of Lord Ram for centuries because he is not a Hindu God, he is a God of the People who is worshiped by young and old, rich and poor.
PM Modi’s initiatives for the Temple
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has organized nationwide live screenings and screenings at select Indian embassies worldwide for the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Modi, accompanied by Hindu priests, will participate in the ceremony, placing a statue of Lord Ram in the temple's inner sanctum.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, led by PM Modi, has advocated for the temple's construction, replacing the 16th-century Babri Mosque demolished in 1992, leading to nationwide riots. The Supreme Court's decision in 2019 allocated the site to Hindus and provided an alternate plot for Muslims to build a mosque.
The temple, a three-story structure clad in pink sandstone, spans 2.9 hectares in a 28-hectare complex. It features a 1.3-meter idol of Lord Ram, believed to be born at the site of the razed mosque. The city of Ayodhya has undergone significant transformation, including improved infrastructure, a new airport, and a sprawling railway station.
The opening ceremony expects nearly 7,500 attendees, with projections of 100,000 daily devotees by year-end. Ayodhya's development gained momentum after the 2020 groundbreaking ceremony. The temple's estimated cost is $217 million, and ongoing construction includes elaborate doors, some with a layer of gold, and intricate wall carvings.
Significance of PM Modi's 11-day Anushthan
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared an 11-day anushthan (rituals) preceding the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony at Ayodhya's Ram temple on January 22. In a video message, Modi expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to represent the people of India during this auspicious occasion and announced his initiation of an 11-day special ritual, seeking blessings from the public.
In Hindu shastras, the 'pran pratishtha' of a deity's idol involves detailed rituals with specific rules to be followed. Despite a hectic schedule, Prime Minister Modi has committed to rigorously follow all the rituals, including Brahma Muhurat Jagran, prayers, and a simple diet during the 11-day anushthan.
The consecration ceremony of the grand Ram temple is scheduled for January 22, and preparations are in the final stages. Vedic rituals will commence on January 16, a week before the main ceremony, with the main 'Pran Pratishtha' conducted by priest Lakshmi Kant Dixit on January 22. A 1008 Hundi Mahayagya will be organized, feeding thousands of devotees, and several tent cities are being set up to accommodate the expected surge of attendees.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust plans arrangements for 10,000-15,000 people, while local authorities are enhancing security measures and logistical preparations to ensure a smooth and spiritually enriching experience for all participants.
Conclusion
As we stand on the precipice of a momentous occasion in Ayodhya, the impending inauguration of the Ram Temple on January 22, 2024, fills our hearts with a myriad of emotions. This monumental structure, under construction with unwavering determination, is more than just a physical edifice—it is a symbol of faith, resilience, and the culmination of a centuries-old journey.
The historical timeline, marked by communal clashes, legal battles, and a complex narrative, has finally led us to a juncture where the dream of a grand Ram Temple is materializing. The struggle, etched in the pages of Ayodhya's history, has seen its fair share of controversies and disputes, but it is the spirit of unity, reconciliation, and a shared sense of devotion that has triumphed in the end.
The significance of this temple goes beyond the architectural marvel and the intricacies of its construction. It resonates with the heartbeat of millions, echoing the sentiments of those who have held onto the belief in the divine, irrespective of the challenges faced along the way. Lord Ram, an embodiment of virtue and righteousness, finds his abode at the very place believed to be his birthright—a testament to the enduring power of faith.
The meticulous design, the collaborative efforts of dedicated architects, and the generous contributions from all corners of society exemplify a collective dream transformed into reality. The resilience of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, the commitment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the unwavering faith of millions have paved the way for this historic moment.
As we approach the inauguration, let us celebrate not only the physical manifestation of the Ram Temple but also the intangible spirit that binds us together. It is a celebration of unity, harmony, and the shared heritage that transcends the boundaries of time. The transformed city of Ayodhya, with its improved infrastructure and enhanced spiritual ambiance, stands as a testament to the rebirth of a sacred space. While this is an achievement for the whole country, if one could credit one man for paving the way for this grand success, it is our Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi.
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