Ayodhya Ram Mandir Highlights: UP CM Yogi lights 'Ram Jyoti' after 'pran pratishtha' ceremony

The Ram Mandir dispute is a long-standing and complex issue in Indian history that revolves around the construction of a temple dedicated to Lord Ram at the site in Ayodhya. The controversy has deep religious, historical, and political roots and has been a source of tension between the Hindu and Muslim communities in India. Here's a brief look back at the key events:

Babri Masjid Construction (1528): The Babri Masjid, believed to have been built by the Mughal emperor Babur's general Mir Baqi, was constructed in Ayodhya in 1528. The mosque became a centre of religious and political dispute centuries later.

Ram Lalla idol: On the night of December 22, 1949, idols of Lord Ram were mysteriously placed inside the Babri Masjid, which was then being used as a mosque. This event led to heightened tensions between the Hindu and Muslim communities and marked the beginning of the legal disputes over the site.

Rise of Ayodhya movement (1980s): In the 1980s, the Ayodhya dispute gained prominence with the rise of the Ayodhya movement, led by various Hindu nationalist organizations and political parties, most notably the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). They asserted that the Babri Masjid was constructed on the birthplace of Lord Ram, and they demanded the construction of a Ram temple at the site.

Babri Masjid demolition (1992): On December 6, 1992, a large crowd of Hindu nationalists, including members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its affiliates, gathered at the Babri Masjid site and demolished the mosque. The demolition led to communal riots across India, resulting in significant loss of life and property.

Post-demolition legal battles: After the demolition, multiple legal cases were filed related to the ownership of the land and the criminal charges against those involved in the demolition. The legal battle continued for years.

Ayodhya verdict (2019): In November 2019, the Supreme Court of India delivered a historic verdict, allocating the disputed site to the Hindus for the construction of a Ram temple and providing an alternative five-acre plot to the Sunni Waqf Board for the construction of a mosque.

Construction of Ram Mandir (2020s): Following the Supreme Court verdict, the construction of the Ram Mandir began at the disputed site in Ayodhya.

Prayers and celebrations marked the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony at the Brahmrishi Mission Ashram in London, UK, ahead of the event at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Indian diaspora members expressed enthusiasm, with festivities planned at 250 locations worldwide. The Slough Hindu Temple and other temples organised events, car rallies, aarti, and Akhanda Ramayan recitation. Over 325 cars participated in a London car rally, chanting 'Jai Shree Ram.'

A 25-foot statue of Lord Hanuman has arrived at the Om Sri Sai Balaji temple and culture center in Monroe, New Jersey, ahead of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The statue, made of a single stone and weighing 15 tonnes, is the largest indoor statue in the US Community leaders and members expressed joy at the coincidence of Hanuman's arrival in New Jersey during the Ayodhya ceremony. The US is gearing up for the Pran Pratishtha ceremony with events planned in various states, including car rallies and billboards displaying messages around the grand occasion.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed gratitude for President Droupadi Murmu's good wishes in a two-page letter ahead of the 'Pran Pratishtha' at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. In response, Modi, in a Hindi post on X, said, "Honorable @rashtrapatibhvn ji, Thank you very much for your good wishes on the auspicious occasion of Ram Lalla's consecration in Ayodhya Dham."

"I am confident that this historic moment will further enrich Indian heritage and culture and take our development journey to new heights."

In preparation for the consecration ceremony at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) chairman, Ashish Kumar Goel, has issued orders for uninterrupted power supply across the entire state for 24 hours on Monday. The chairman directed departmental officials to exercise utmost caution in this regard.

As Ayodhya gears up for the inauguration of the Ram Temple on January 22, community feasts or "langars" have become a widespread phenomenon. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Vishwa Hindu Parishad, and Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust are coordinating free kitchens in Ayodhya and nearby areas of east Uttar Pradesh. Stalls offering free meals line the new corridors, and after the consecration ceremony, free kitchens will be organised in villages. Over 45 free kitchens are managed by VHP veteran Rajendra Pankaj. Donations of rations, dry fruits, and even a bullock cart with 'desi ghee' have poured in from across the country. Read more…

Ayodhya, inundated with pilgrims for the consecration ceremony, faced a shortage of accommodations with all 30 hotels fully booked. To address this, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath urged residents to open their homes as homestays. Responding to the call, 51 homestays and 600 paying-guest facilities were inaugurated. The surge in demand prompted a local to plan container home facilities. The Chief Minister's Divya Ayodhya App facilitated bookings, and the administration considered launching community kitchens to cater to tourists. The initiative not only eased accommodation challenges but also provided economic opportunities for locals. Read more…

More than 5 lakh 'diyas' will be illuminated across 700 markets in the national capital, marking the auspicious occasion of the Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya on Monday. The local traders' body, Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI), announced this initiative on Sunday, reflecting the fervour and excitement surrounding the historic event. CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal and President Subhash Khandelwal shared their delight in a joint statement, highlighting the surge in demand for Ram Mandir-related goods.

"The fervour has led to a surge in demand for Ram Mandir-related goods, with a four-fold increase in requests for flags, models, costumes, badges, and photos,” they said.

As Ayodhya brims with anticipation for the grand 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony, the sanctum sanctorum of the Ram temple is set to become a fragrant haven. Sanjay Dhawalikar, head of the floral decoration team, revealed that rich fragrance-bearing flowers, meticulously sourced from Chennai, would grace the sacred space on Sunday night. Dhawalikar also said that over 3,000 kgs of flowers of more than 20 varieties have been used for decoration of the grand structure. The flowers include chrysanthemum, gerbera, orchid, and exotic ones like anthurium and lilium.

Ram Lalla's idol underwent a ceremonial bath with water from 114 Kalash, containing medicated and holy water from pilgrimage sites nationwide. Daily worship, havan, and chanting persisted until evening, culminating in the placement of Lord Ram Lalla in Madhyadhivas, accompanied by Jagran at night. The ceremony, which began on January 16, will conclude on Monday afternoon during the auspicious Abhijit Muhurat. The anticipation in Ayodhya is palpable as the 'Pran Pratishtha' and grand temple opening approach.