Huge Turnout of Devotees at Ayodhya Ram Temple Following 'Pran Pratishtha'

The highly anticipated opening of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has drawn massive crowds a day after the grand consecration ceremony, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attended by numerous political figures and celebrities.

Prior to the temple’s public opening, a surge of devotees gathered at the site, with crowds assembling as early as 3 am. The gates will be accessible to the public from 7 am to 11:30 am and again from 2 pm to 7 pm.

The ‘pran pratishtha’ rituals unfolded yesterday, featuring PM Modi paying homage to the Ram Lalla idol. Distinguished guests, including Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, graced the ceremony with their presence.

Expressing his sentiments on Twitter, Prime Minister Modi stated, “The extraordinary moment of the consecration of Shri Ram Lalla’s life in Ayodhya Dham is going to leave everyone emotional. It is my great pleasure to be a part of this divine programme. Jai Siya Ram!”

Post the rituals, PM Modi addressed a gathering of approximately 8,000 individuals, comprising seers, Ram Janmabhoomi movement affiliates, and figures from various fields. The Prime Minister also visited Kuber Tila and engaged with workers contributing to the temple’s construction.

While the ceremony was broadcast nationwide, senior BJP leaders like JP Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah opted for live streaming. However, Opposition leaders chose to abstain from the event, leading to political disagreements between the BJP and the Opposition.

Several BJP-governed states declared the day a holiday, encouraging people to witness the ceremony on TV and partake in local temple festivities. Ayodhya’s atmosphere was further heightened by a devotional “Mangal Dhwani,” featuring 50 traditional musical instruments from across the country.

The construction of the Ram Temple concluded a protracted legal battle, culminating in the Supreme Court’s verdict in November 2019 in favor of the temple. Prime Minister Modi, in a national address, heralded the consecration of Ram Lalla’s idol as the dawn of a new era.

Addressing the nation, PM Modi remarked, “I have come before you as you witness the divine consciousness in the temple’s sanctum sanctorum. There’s so much to say, but there’s a lump in my throat. After unprecedented patience, innumerable sacrifices, and penance, our Lord Ram has arrived. I congratulate the country on this occasion.”

PM Modi called for unity, emphasizing that the temple signifies not just triumph but also humility, underscoring India’s maturity in resolving historical disputes. He urged critics to reconsider their perspectives, highlighting that Ram symbolizes energy, not fire, and is a solution, not a dispute.

“The construction of this temple of Ram Lalla is also a symbol of the Indian society’s peace, patience, and mutual harmony. We can see this has not given birth to a fire, but an energy,” he affirmed in a powerful and emotional post-consecration speech, invoking the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbkam,’ stating that Ram defines the world as a family.