The temple town stirred early as Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Ram, filled with pilgrims who streamed in before sunrise, their voices rising in unison with chants of “Jai Shri Ram.” Visiting seers and devotees described the ceremonial flag hoisting, known as “Dhwaj Arohan”, as a moment of historic fulfilment.
As a section of the media reported, the ceremony coincided with Vivaah Panchami, the traditional date that commemorates the divine wedding of Shri Ram and Devi Sita.
One elderly visitor, who arrived before dawn, was quoted as saying, “This moment has come after 500 years. Our ancestors waited and sacrificed for this day. We are blessed to witness it.”
Another pilgrim called the occasion “a blessing made possible by the sacrifices of generations”.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised a saffron flag atop the Ram temple in Ayodhya, marking the completion of the temple’s construction. He was accompanied by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, the Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
PM Modi said the “wounds and pain” of centuries are healing as a 500-year-old resolve is being fulfilled. “Ram is not just a person. Ram is a value. If India is to become a developed nation by 2047, we must awaken the Ram within ourselves. And for such a resolve, what moment could be more fitting than today?” he asked.
“Today, the city of Ayodhya is bearing witness to yet another pinnacle of India’s cultural consciousness. Today, all of India and the entire world are filled with the presence of Ram. In the heart of every devotee of Rama, there is unparalleled satisfaction, boundless gratitude, immense, otherworldly joy.”
He also believed that Indians must rid themselves of a sense of inferiority.
“India is the mother of democracy. Democracy is in our DNA,” he was quoted as saying.
India’s Prime Minister is scheduled to offer prayers at the Ram Darbar Garbh Grah and the Ram Lalla Garbh Grah, and visit the Saptmandir, Sheshavtar Mandir and the Mata Annapurna temple.
Reports mentioned that priests had been doing rituals for four days in the temple. The city stayed under heavy security. Checking points were set up at every entry. Vehicles and passengers were inspected strictly.
Officials said 6,970 personnel were deployed across Ayodhya, including ATS commandos, NSG snipers, cyber experts and technical teams. Anti-drone systems and surveillance gear were active around the temple.
Senior officers handled crowd control, screening, explosives checks and emergency plans. Bomb squads, dog squads, VVIP security units, fire teams and rapid response groups were placed at key spots.
The flag, a right-angled triangle measuring 10 feet high and 20 feet long, carries the image of a radiant Sun, the sacred symbol ‘Om’, and the Kovidara tree. Temple representatives noted that the hoisting took place during ‘Abhijit Muhurat’, regarded by Hindus as an auspicious planetary alignment.
The Kovidara tree, described in scriptural tradition as a hybrid created by Rishi Kashyap from the Mandar and Parijat trees, is regarded as a symbol of harmony.
Champat Rai, general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, reportedly said the ceremony marked the completion of the Ram temple’s construction. He added that the saffron shade of the flag represents fire and the rising sun, symbolising sacrifice and dedication.
The temple complex includes 87 carved stone scenes from the Valmiki Ramayana along the outer walls of the shrine and 79 bronze-cast cultural depictions positioned along the enclosure walls.
Also Read: Ayodhya’s Ram Temple Project Wins UK’s ‘Sword of Honour’ for Safety Standards https://www.vibesofindia.com/ayodhyas-ram-temple-project-wins-uks-sword-of-honour-for-safety-standards/
