The aura of festivity akin to Diwali engulfs India as the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya is celebrated with grandeur, both within the country and by Indians worldwide. Local temples have been adorned with lights, echoing the ancient festivities that welcomed Lord Ram back to Ayodhya after defeating Ravan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has immersed himself in 11 days of rigorous religious observances in anticipation of this momentous ceremony, which is set to take place at noon. In a speech to the attendees, he will mark the event that unites representatives from India’s diverse religious and spiritual traditions. The gathering will reflect a microcosm of India’s pluralistic society with people from varying walks of life and tribal communities in attendance.
Modi’s engagement with the ceremony extends beyond speeches; he will personally interact with the workers who have played a pivotal role in constructing the temple. Additionally, he is scheduled to visit Kuber Tila, offering prayers at the newly restored ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiv. The Ram temple, crafted in the traditional Nagara style of North India, encompasses an expansive area with hundreds of intricately carved pillars and doors, and houses the idol of Lord Ram in its innermost sanctum.
While the temple town of Ayodhya bursts at the seams with visitors and economic growth, spurred by the construction of an international airport and renovation of its railway station, the political landscape is rife with controversy. The temple, once at the core of a longstanding political debate, has been met with a cold response from many opposition parties, including Congress, Left, Trinamool Congress, and Samajwadi Party, who criticize the BJP for leveraging religious sentiments for electoral gains.
Countering the accusations, the BJP has rebuked the absence of key Congress members and other opposition figures, framing the rejection as an anti-Hindu stance that would be met with electoral retribution from the public. Compounding the event’s disputes, religious leaders such as the Shankaracharyes of four prestigious monasteries have abstained from the ceremony, raising concerns over the consecration of an unfinished temple and PM Modi’s involvement in rituals traditionally reserved for religious figures.
January 22, 2024, carries the historical significance of the temple’s consecration, a symbolic moment amplified by the presence of Prime Minister Modi, following a favorable Supreme Court judgment in 2019 regarding the long-disputed site. The temple opens its doors to the public, and in celebration, the government has granted a half-day holiday to its employees, with similar declarations from various state governments.
The “Pran Pratishtha” ceremony, a ritualistic embodiment of divine presence, is set to commence at 12.20 pm and conclude within the hour. Modi will have the opportunity to address a diverse audience of over 7,000 people at the venue, ranging from spiritual leaders and celebrities to government officials, diplomats, and judges, all converging to partake in an event that stitches together the fabric of India’s cultural and religious diversity.
The celebration accounts not only for its spiritual significance but also serves to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the thousands involved in bringing the temple to fruition – from the labourers to the highest echelons of political leadership. As the ceremony unfolds, the ancient town of Ayodhya, forever changed by the events leading to and from 1992, looks towards a future where its spiritual heritage is once again at the forefront.