Rising Faith: The Grand Inauguration of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya

From our early years, we’ve been immersed in the tales of Ramayana, either through reading the epic or witnessing its portrayal on television. When Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan was shown on Doordarshan in the 1980s, it was clear to everyone that the epic of the Ramayana’s emotional connection runs deep, particularly for those who believe in a higher power. The Ram Mandir’s opening signifies a historic moment and a resurgence of joyous times. The ceremonial opening of the Ram Mandir is not only the achievement of millions of people's long-held dreams, but this momentous occasion represents a significant turning point in India's cultural and spiritual history. Ayodhya is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram and is considered a sacred place. Once the construction of Ram Mandir is finished, the temple complex will rank as the third-largest Hindu shrine in the world. It will measure 235 feet (72 meters) broad, 360 feet (110 meters) long, and 161 feet (49 meters) high. The temple is built on 10 acres and the rest of 57 acres will be devoted to a temple complex. The statue of Ram Lalla is 51-inch long, sculpted by Arun Yogiraj, a Mysuru-based sculptor.

Emergence of Temples in India 

There were no such things as temples in the Vedic period. People used to worship before holy fires known as Yahnas. Later, people began to start idol worshiping along with ceremonial fire. The first temple displays must be simple earth molds. Later, the basic structure of the mountain developed and is comprised of a Sanctum(Garbhagriha - womb), the entrance of the temple(Mandapa), a mountain spire at the top of a structure known as Shikar, and the vahan (the mount or vehicle of the temple). Two structural styles of the temple developed, known as Nagara in the north and Dravida in the south.

Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir is also built in the Naraga style. The style originated in the 5th century in Northern India. It was designed by Chandrakant Sompura. He also designed the famous Akshardham temple in Gujarat. The temple features a raised plinth with a sacred sanctum, with a towering shikhara representing the natural and cosmological order in Hindu tradition. A circumambulatory passage surrounds the sanctum, and mandapas (halls) may be present.

Foundation of Ram Temple

The foundation stone for the Ram Mandir temple was laid on August 5, 2020, by Prime Minister Modi. It is located on the Ram Janm Bhoomi site in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, a place believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram. The construction of the temple is being supervised by the Shri Ram Janam Bhoomi Teerth Shetra 2020. The trust was set up in 2020 after the Supreme Court's judgment. The site is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama, but later Babri Masjid was built in its place. To reclaim the site, Vishwa Hindu Parishad launched the moment to build a temple dedicated to the infant Rama (Ram Lalla) at this spot.

Significance of Ram Mandir?

Apart from the long-standing religious desires and aspirations of Hindus, the cultural heritage of the temple is quite relevant. The preservation of the temple is seen as preserving our cultural heritage and desires. The economic benefit of building the temple is going to be huge. It has the potential to stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and boost tourism and local development opportunities. The area around the place will potentially develop the basic infrastructure around the temple. The fact that nothing can ever completely replace or alter the moral notion of good and wrong, remains at the foundation of humanity despite advances in science and technology, and Bhagwan Shri Ram and Sita Mata are the embodiment of the same. Thus, the significance of the temple stands strong to reinforce and inculcate the values that Lord Rama had, morals, and humanity.

What is the Pran Pratishta Ceremony?

The Pran Pratishtha event will mark the grand opening of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on January 22. Pran Pratishtha is a highly esteemed Hindu ceremony that entails calling upon a god as an idol to give it a holy or heavenly quality. The word “Pran” means life, while “Pratistha” means institution. For the ceremony, barricades had been set up sliding the temple premises and in crucial locations. It is emancipated that a huge crowd will be present on the day and other prominent personalities have also been invited for the ceremony including Amitabh Bachchan, Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani, Sachin Tendulkar have been invited to the ceremony and are expected guests for the occasion.

Rising faith in Indians

Indians' increasing faith acts as a lighthouse, offering comfort, strength, and direction in a world of swift change and uncertainty. Whether manifested in ethnic customs, religious rituals, or a rekindled spiritual connection, this rising religion serves as a compass and gives people strength and hope. As faith grows, it becomes a catalyst for optimism, empathy, and a more profound comprehension of the universal human condition. It is a prime example of the rich tapestry of diversity that characterizes India, a country where a wide range of beliefs coexist and contribute to a collective ethos that upholds a sense of solidarity and unity despite individual differences. Among Indian deities like Hanuman Ji, Shiv Ji, Durga Ma, Krishna, Saraswati Ganesh ji, and more. It is common practice among Indians to visit temples daily or on special occasions. The faith, however, may have remained the same throughout the times, but the display of it has been on the rise.