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Ayodhya & Shree Ram Lalla Mandir

Shree Ram, the prince of Ayodhya and an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, occupies a unique position in Indian history and mythology. He is not just a revered deity but also a symbol of righteous conduct, filial piety, and ideal kingship. His story, immortalized in the epic Ramayana and numerous other texts, has shaped Indian culture and continues to inspire millions even today.

Historical Aspects

Shree Ram, the prince of Ayodhya and an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, occupies a unique position in Indian history and mythology. He is not just a revered deity but also a symbol of righteous conduct, filial piety, and ideal kingship. His story, immortalized in the epic Ramayana and numerous other texts, has shaped Indian culture and continues to inspire millions even today.

Lord Rama is revered by Hindus as the seventh avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe. This divine association elevates Rama’s story to a sacred and spiritual level. He is regarded as the embodiment of dharma (righteousness) and Maryada Purushottama, symbolizing the ideal human being who unwaveringly upholds moral principles and fulfills his duties. Lord Rama’s legacy transcends the boundaries of history and religion. He continues to be a central and revered figure in Indian life, inspiring various aspects of art, literature, music, and even political ideologies. His story serves as a timeless source of moral and spiritual guidance, resonating with people from all walks of life.

While archaeological evidence related to Lord Rama is limited, some findings, such as temple ruins and sculptures in Ayodhya, suggest the existence of settlements dating back to the era of the Ramayana. The concept of Ram Rajya, which signifies Rama’s ideal kingdom, represents a utopian vision of a just and harmonious society. It serves as a source of inspiration for ideals of governance, justice, and social order in Indian culture and history.

Here’s the timeline of disputed events related to the Ram Mandir.

Ram Janmabhoomi Movement

The Ram Janmabhoomi Movement, which emerged in the 1980s and was led by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, aimed to reclaim the site in Ayodhya believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama. This site was a source of contention as it housed the Babri Masjid, constructed during the Mughal era. One of the pivotal events in this movement occurred in 1992 when a peaceful rally turned hostile, leading to the unfortunate demolition of the Babri Masjid by volunteers known as Kar Sevaks. This event significantly escalated the Ayodhya dispute.

The legal journey of the Ayodhya dispute culminated in the Supreme Court’s verdict in 2019. The court ruled that a Hindu temple existed on the site before the mosque and allocated the disputed land to a trust named Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, formed by the Indian government. The trust was tasked with the construction of the Ram Mandir. The verdict also provided an alternative site for a mosque based on archaeological findings and directed the government to oversee the temple construction through the trust.

Why does the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha Ceremony take place on January 22, 2024?

Hindu scriptures state that Lord Rama was born during the Abhijeet Muhurat, which aligned with the Amrit Siddhi Yoga, Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga, and Mrigashira Nakshatra. All of these muhurat will coincide today, January 22, 2024, which is why the date of the Pran Pratishtha event has been determined by examining all of the auspicious muhurat.

The inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya was a momentous occasion, and the date chosen for the ceremony, January 22, 2024, was carefully selected. Astrologers considered this date to be auspicious because it is Karma Dwadashi, a day dedicated to Lord Vishnu, of whom Lord Ram is an incarnation. The specific time within this date, 84 seconds between 12 minutes and 29 seconds and 12 minutes and 32 seconds, was also considered highly favorable.

Three significant celestial combinations, or yogas, namely Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga, Amrit Siddhi Yoga, and Ravi Yoga, are believed to have formed on January 22. These yogas are thought to align planetary energies favorably, enhancing the positive outcomes of any actions or endeavors undertaken during this time. The presence of these auspicious yogas adds an extra layer of spiritual significance to the consecration ceremony.

This focus on auspiciousness reflects the deep religious significance of the Ram Mandir. The temple is seen as a symbol of Hindu faith and culture, and its inauguration was a long-awaited event for many Hindus. The choice of date and time shows the importance that was placed on ensuring that the ceremony was conducted in accordance with astrological principles.

What is Pran-Pratistha?

Pran Pratishtha is the sacred act of transforming an idol into a deity, enabling it to receive prayers and bestow blessings. This process involves several stages and these stages and the process of Pran Pratishtha are mentioned in the Vedas and elaborated upon in various Puranas, including the Mastya Puran, Vaman Puran, Narad Puran, among others. The process includes Shobha Yatra (a procession of the idol through the temple’s neighborhood and during this procession, the devotion of onlookers is transferred to the idol as they greet and cheer for it). Next is Adhivas in which the idol will be prepared for Pran-Pratishtha, These ceremonies involve immersing the idol in various materials. For example, it may be submerged in water (Jaladhivas) for a night and then in grains (Dhanyadhivas). Following it, there will be Ritual Bath known as Abhishek, using various materials, depending on the scale of the ceremony. And in the end, there will be Opening of the Eyes which is considered as most Important Ceremony in which the idol after the bath is sufficiently prepared, it is awakened.

During this crucial step, many mantras are chanted to invoke different deities, such as Soorya for the eyes, Vayu for the ears, and Chandra for the mind. The final part of this ceremony involves opening the deity’s eyes. An anjan-like substance, similar to kohl, is applied around the deity’s eyes using a gold needle. This delicate process is conducted from behind the idol to avoid the brilliance of the deity’s eyes overwhelming the observer.

Ram Mandir (Ayodhya)

¥     Main sanctum with the idol of Shri Ram Lalla.

¥     Shri Ram Darbar located on the first floor.

¥     Five Mandapas: Nritya Mandapa, Rang Mandapa, Sabha Mandapa, Prarthana Mandapa, and Kirtan Mandapa.

¥     Four peripheral temples dedicated to Suryadev, Mother Bhagwati, Lord Ganesha, and Lord Shiva.

¥     Temples honoring Goddess Annapurna in the north and Lord Hanuman in the south.

¥     Additional temples paying homage to various sages, King Nishad, Mata Shabari, and Devi Ahilya.

¥     Inclusion of Sita Kup within the temple premises.

¥     Renovation of the ancient temple of Lord Shiva on Navratna Kubera Hill, with the installation of a Jatayu statue.

¥     Chief Architect: Chandrakant B. Sompura (CBS).

¥     Construction Company: Larsen and Toubro (L&T).

¥     Sculptors: Arun Yogiraaj (Mysore), Ganesh Bhatt, and Satyanarayan Pandey.

The Ram Mandir Murti (idol)

The Ram Mandir Murti is a forthcoming monument in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India, with a planned height of 181 meters (594 ft) or 251 meters (823 ft) when including the plinth and umbrella. In preparation for the consecration ceremony, a new idol of Ramlala, portraying Lord Ram as a five-year-old child, has been unveiled. This idol was skillfully crafted by the renowned sculptor Arun Yogiraj from Karnataka. The newly revealed idol will be known as Achal Murti, while the previous idol will be referred to as Utsavmurti.

About Shree Ram

Although Valmiki’s Ramayana forms the base, the story has been reinterpreted and retold in numerous regional languages and traditions. This creates a sense of local ownership and connection with Rama, making him relevant in different parts of India. For example, Tulsidas’ Ramcharitmanas holds immense importance in North India, while Krittibas Ramayana and Ezhuthachan’s Kambaramayanam are cherished in the East and South, respectively.

The significance of Lord Ram in Indian culture extends well beyond his role as a religious figure. He is deeply ingrained in the socio-cultural fabric of India, symbolizing a range of values, ethics, and cultural norms. Often hailed as ‘Maryada Purushottam,’ Lord Ram embodies the highest standards of ethical behavior and moral righteousness. His life choices, sacrifices, and moral dilemmas serve as timeless lessons that transcend religious boundaries. They provide invaluable guidance on virtues such as duty, honor, fidelity, and following the righteous path to all of humanity regardless of religion, caste or even nationality.

The Ramayana, with Lord Ram as its central figure, has served as a wellspring of inspiration for various forms of artistic expression. Classical dance forms, traditional paintings like Mithila and Pattachitra, and music traditions across India have drawn deeply from this epic narrative. Additionally, numerous literary works, poems, and songs in different Indian languages have been inspired by Lord Ram’s life and virtues, reflecting his profound influence on the literary and cultural landscape.

Lord Ram’s imagery and ideals have found resonance in political discourse, symbolizing principles of good governance, justice, and moral leadership. Furthermore, the teachings attributed to Lord Ram, as depicted in the Ramayana, address social issues and have been employed as narratives to champion social reform, justice, and equality.

The character of Lord Ram serves as a role model for personal conduct and familial roles. It emphasizes virtues such as respect, bravery, responsibility, and the unwavering commitment to fulfilling one’s duties diligently. This archetype continues to inspire individuals in their pursuit of personal growth and moral development.