PRIME Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday the consecration of Ram Lalla’s idol in Ayodhya marks the advent of a new era and gave a call to people to go beyond the Ram temple’s construction to build the foundation of a strong, grand and divine India of the next 1,000 years. After participating in the idol’s ‘Pran Pratishtha’, Modi in his speech also turned to critics of the Ram temple movement and asked them to reconsider their view that its construction would “set off a fire” in the country, asserting that Ram is“not fire but energy”,“not dispute but solution”. In his address to a large number of invitees, including seers, leading figures from different fields and those part of the decades-long agitation for building the temple, he said that the momentous occasion is not merely about triumph but also humility and underscores Indian society’s maturity in resolving historical disputes. “Ram is not fire but energy, Ram is not dispute but solution, Ram is not merely ours but of everyone and Ram is not only the present but also eternal,” he said, adding that the temple is also a symbol of peace, patience, harmony and amity in Indian society. Ram defines the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbkam’ (the world is a family), Modi said.

 

The PM performed a series of rituals in the ‘grabhagriha’ – the sanctum sanctorum -- with the ‘pran pratishtha’ taking place during the 84-second ‘Abhijeet muhurta’. At the end, the Prime Minister prostrated himself before the 51-inch idol that depicts the child Ram. The ceremony took place in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday showered flower petals on the workers who were a part of the construction team at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.The Prime Minister alsos prinkled flowers on the idol of Jatayu at the Ram Temple premises and also offered prayers toLord Shiva in Ayodhya Dham. Army helicopters showered flower petals on the newly-constructed Janmabhoomi temple as the ‘pran pratishtha’ ceremony took place.And celebrations broke out in parts of this Uttar Pradesh temple town with people singing and dancing. Senior BJP leaders includingparty chief JP Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah watched the live streaming of the consecration ceremony. Most Opposition leaders invited to the event skipped the ceremony,accusing his Government of makingita politicalexercisewith an eye on the coming Lok Sabha polls. With his speech beingheardacrossthecountry, he sought to strike an emotional chord with the masses saying“ourRam”has arrived after wait, patience and sacrifices of centuries.

 

“Our Ram Lalla will no longerlive in atent.Our Ram Lalla will stay in a magnificent temple,”Modisaidinhis 36-minute speech. He urged everyone to do their bitin building a strong, capable, grand and divine India, sayingtheyshouldnot miss out at a time when the country is passing through a positive and constructive period. There is not aniota of space foranydespondency,hesaid. India will be guided by traditions,her it age and modernity to reach its goals,he said. Withthetemplebeingbuilt and divine powers “witnessing” the occasio, he asked peopletotakea pledgeinthe current time of immense “positive energy” to build a strong and capable India of the next 1000 years after the temple has been built. “Ayodhya is asking us all, every devotee of Ram, every Indian as to the next course of action as the grand temple of Shri Ram has been built.What next?We have to from today, from this sacred moment lay the foundation of India of the next 1,000 years.

 

Going beyond the temple’s construction, we all Indian stake a pledge to build a strong, capable, grand and divine India,” he said. The Ramtemple,the Prime Minister said, will be a witness to India’s rise and dawn of a developed and magnificent India. January 22,2024, is not merely adate but marks the advent of a new era, he added. He said he would seek forgiveness from Lord Ram as the deity had to endurea wait of centuries and his existence was questioned even after theoriginal copy of the independent India’s Constitution carried his illustration. “There must be some shortcomings in us,” he said before thanking the Supreme Court for doing justice and paving the way for the temple’s construction at the once-disputed site by law.