The sacred city of Ayodhya is buzzing with spiritual energy as final preparations are underway for the historic 'Dhwajarohan' or flag hoisting ceremony at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple on Tuesday, 25 November. This grand event marks a significant milestone in India's cultural history, symbolizing the completion of the temple construction.
Massive Preparations for Historic Ceremony
Ayodhya has transformed into a floral paradise with elaborate decorations covering both the temple and the entire city. Approximately 100 tons of flowers have been utilized to create this divine atmosphere for the mega event. The scale of decoration reflects the importance of this occasion in the hearts of millions of devotees.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will personally hoist the sacred flag atop the temple's 191-foot-high shikhara, adding national significance to this religious ceremony. The event will also feature a special Aarti performance, creating a spiritually charged atmosphere that devotees will remember for generations.
Sacred Symbols and Historical Significance
The flag itself carries deep spiritual meaning with its dimensions of 22 feet in length and 11 feet in width. It will be raised on a 42-foot pole positioned atop the 161-foot spire. What makes this flag particularly special are the three ancient symbols it bears:
- Om - representing the eternal spiritual sound
- The Sun - symbolizing Lord Ram's Suryavansh lineage
- The Kovidara tree - a hybrid of Mandar and Parijat trees created by Rishi Kashyap
The rediscovery of this ancient flag design is credited to Indologist Lalit Mishra, who identified it while studying a painting from the pictorial Ramayana of Mewar and later confirmed its mention in Valmiki Ramayana's Ayodhya Kand.
Inclusive Celebrations and Spiritual Milestone
In a remarkable display of social harmony, the guest list for this historic event includes 6,000 to 8,000 invitees from diverse sections of society. According to Nripendra Mishra, Chairman of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple Construction Committee, this isn't just a VIP event but includes people who have never been invited before, representing communities with whom Lord Ram shared close bonds.
"Don't think that this comprises VIPs. There are people who were never invited before. They will represent the section with whom Lord Ram shared a meal and used their facilities," Mishra told ANI. "We have been hearing tales of Nishad ji and Shabari mata since childhood. So, this is a vast community. They will all be here."
The ceremony also marks the completion of the temple construction, with Lord Ram's family now residing on the first floor along with His brother, closest sevak Hanuman ji, and Sita ji in the family temple. As Nripendra Mishra emphasized, this event serves as an announcement to devotees worldwide that the temple construction is complete and Lord Ram is in his rightful place.
Champat Rai, General Secretary of Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, is overseeing all arrangements, ensuring that the ceremony reflects Lord Ram's message of social harmony while maintaining the grandeur this historic occasion deserves.
