PM Modi Performs Sacred Rituals at Ram Mandir
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Ayodhya on Tuesday to participate in the historic Dharma Dhwaja hoisting ceremony at the Ram Temple, marking the formal completion of the temple's construction that began after the Bhumi Poojan performed by him in August 2020. The Prime Minister's visit represents a significant milestone in the temple's journey, coming after the initial consecration ceremony held in January 2024.
Grand Roadshow and Temple Rituals
Upon arriving in the holy city, PM Modi held a vibrant 1.5-kilometer roadshow on the Ram Path, where his cavalcade received an enthusiastic welcome with showers of flower petals from devotees. After entering the temple premises, the Prime Minister immediately visited the Sapta Mandapam, where he offered flowers before the idols of seven revered sages: Maharishi Vashistha, Agastya, Valmiki, Mata Shabri, Nishad Raj, Guha, and Tulsidas.
The Prime Minister then proceeded to perform puja at the Ram Darbar on the first floor alongside RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Governor Anandiben Patel in attendance. Following this, both Modi and Bhagwat went to the ground floor to perform rituals before the idol of Ram Lalla.
Historic Flag Hoisting Ceremony Details
The main event—the hoisting of the Dharma Dhwaja—was scheduled to take place around noon during the Abhijit Muhurat. The ceremony included prominent figures such as RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and trustees of the Shri Ram Janma Bhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
Champat Rai, Secretary of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, provided details about the sacred flag: "The flag is about 20 feet long, 10 feet high, and weighs approximately 20 kilograms." Due to its substantial size and weight, the Army was consulted for technical guidance on the hoisting procedure. The saffron-colored flag features symbols of the Kividar tree, Surya, and Om, representing the rising sun, fire, sacrifice, and devotion.
Completion of Temple Complex
With the main temple construction now complete, six smaller temples within the precincts are also ready for worship:
- Goddess Durga in the northwest
- Maa Annapurna in the north-central
- Ganesha in the northeast
- Suryadev in the southeast
- Hanuman in the south-central
- Shiva-Sheshavadhar temple in the southwest
The flag hoisting ceremony also extended to these temples. The main temple complex now houses both the Ram Lalla idol on the ground floor, consecrated on January 22, 2024, with PM Modi leading the rituals, and the Ram Darbar on the first floor, which includes deities of Ram, Sita, Ram's brothers, and Hanuman, consecrated on June 25 this year under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
The event brought together special invitees described by Trust officials as representatives of the "Samraj Samaj" from every community and caste, all seated as rituals commenced amidst traditional mantra chanting. The ceremony represents the culmination of a long-awaited dream for millions of devotees across India and the world.
