Sree Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir: A Historic Landmark in India's Heritage
Ayodhya Ram Mandir
Ram Janmabhoomi is the site that is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. According to the Hindu epic Ramayana, Rama was born in Ayodhya, a city on the banks of the Sarayu river, to King Dashrath and Queen Kaushalya.
He had three brothers, Bharat, Lakshman and Shatrughan, who were born to Dashrath's other wives, Kaikeyi and Sumitra. Rama's birth anniversary is celebrated as Ram Navami, a major festival in Hinduism.
The site of Ram Janmabhoomi has been a matter of dispute for centuries, as it is also the location of the Babri Masjid, a mosque that was built by a Mughal commander in the 16th century. Some Hindus claim that the mosque was constructed over a demolished Hindu temple that marked Rama's birthplace.
The mosque was demolished by Hindu activists in 1992, sparking communal riots across the country. The legal battle over the ownership of the land reached the Supreme Court of India, which delivered its verdict in 2019.
The court ruled that the land should be handed over to a trust to build a Hindu temple, while a separate plot of land should be given to the Muslim community to build a mosque.
The construction of the Ram temple began in 2020, after a grand ceremony that was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries. The temple is expected to be completed by 2023, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the demolition of the Babri Masjid.
The temple is designed to be a magnificent structure that will symbolize the faith and devotion of millions of Hindus who revere Rama as an ideal king and a righteous person.
Inauguration function of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya
The inauguration function of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is a historic and auspicious event that will mark the completion of the temple construction. According to the available sources, here are some details about the function:
The function will start on January 16, 2024 and continue for seven days till January 22, 2024. The main ceremony of the consecration of the idol of Lord Ram will take place on January 22, 2024 at 12:20 pm.
The function will witness the participation of about 8,000 invitees, including 1,500-1,600 eminent guests from various fields such as politics, religion, culture, and social service. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also attend the function and address the devotees of Lord Ram.
The function will be broadcasted live on various platforms, including the Times Square in New York. People from different parts of the world will also celebrate the function in their own ways, such as organizing car rallies, rath yatras, and cultural programs.
The function will also include various rituals, such as Vishnu worship, a procession with the idol of Lord Ram, and havan. The devotees can also book passes for the aarti, which will be performed three times a day. The passes can be booked online or offline.