Ram Mandir
The Ram Mandir, also known as the Rama Temple, is an ongoing construction project in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India. For many Hindus, it holds immense significance as they believe it stands on the sacred ground of Ram Janmabhoomi, the birthplace of Lord Rama, a central figure in Hinduism. Inaugurated on January 22, 2024, following a consecration ceremony, the temple witnessed a substantial influx of visitors, with over half a million attending on the first day and averaging between 100,000 to 150,000 daily visitors after a month.
The temple’s location has been historically contentious, formerly housing the Babri Masjid mosque, built between 1528 and 1529. Tensions between Hindus and Muslims escalated over the years, culminating in the mosque’s destruction in 1992. In 2019, the Indian Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Hindu community, granting them the disputed land for the temple’s construction, while allocating separate land to Muslims nearby for a mosque, based on evidence provided by the Archaeological Survey of India suggesting a pre-existing non-Islamic structure beneath the mosque.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the temple took place on August 5, 2020, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Construction is overseen by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, with Modi playing a prominent role as the chief patron in the consecration ceremony on January 22, 2024.
Beyond its religious significance, the temple project is part of a larger $10 billion initiative aimed at revitalizing Ayodhya into a global religious and spiritual tourism hub. However, controversies have arisen surrounding allegations of donation mismanagement, marginalization of key activists, and the temple’s politicization by the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Significance of Rama
Rama is a revered deity in Hinduism, regarded as the complete incarnation of Vishnu by many followers. Some Hindus even perceive Rama as the ultimate manifestation of Brahman, the supreme reality. Rama’s significance in Hindu culture and spirituality is profound. In the avatar of Rama, Vishnu is believed to live as a human, devoid of his divine powers. According to the ancient Indian epic, the Ramayana, Rama was born in Ayodhya, one of the seven holiest cities in Hinduism. For devout Hindus, Ayodhya holds a place akin to Mecca for Muslims and Jerusalem for Jews and Christians.
Ayodhya is revered for three principal pilgrimage sites: Janmasthana, the birthplace of Rama; Svargadvāra, the gateway to heaven; and Yajñasthala, where holy sacrifices were performed. Temples dedicated to these sites, such as the Janmasthana temple, Svargadvāra temple, and Trētā-kā-Thākūr temple, existed in ancient times but were destroyed during Islamic rule, replaced by mosques. While there is agreement among some historians regarding the fate of certain temples, like Svargadvāra and Treta-ka-Thakur, debate remains about whether the Janmasthana temple was also destroyed during this period, fueling the Ayodhya dispute, which was eventually resolved through legal means.
The Trayodaśakṣarī mantra, also known as the Śrī Rāma Tāraka Mantra, holds immense significance for many devout Hindus. This mantra, “Śrī Rāma Jaya Rāma Jaya Jaya Rāma,” is believed to lead to salvation when chanted repeatedly. The term “Tāraka” signifies something that aids a living being in crossing the ocean of samsara, or the cycle of birth and death. Esteemed devotees of Rama, including Valmiki, Tulsidas, Bhadrachala Ramadasu, Samartha Ramadas, Tyagaraja, Purandara Dasa, Gondavalekar Maharaj, and Mahatma Gandhi, have popularized this mantra through their devotion.
Architecture
The original blueprint for the Ram Mandir was crafted back in 1988 by the esteemed Sompura family of Ahmedabad. Renowned for their architectural prowess, the Sompuras have been instrumental in designing over a hundred temples worldwide across fifteen generations, including the revered Somnath temple. Spearheading the project was Chandrakant Sompura, aided by his sons Nikhil Sompura and Ashish Sompura, both skilled architects.
In 2020, the Sompuras revised the design, incorporating alterations guided by Hindu scriptures, Vastu shastra, and Shilpa shastras. The temple is envisioned to span 250 feet in width, 380 feet in length, and rise to a height of 161 feet, making it the world’s third-largest Hindu temple upon completion. It is envisioned in the Māru-Gurjara architecture of Nagara style, typical of northern Indian Hindu temples. A model of the proposed temple was unveiled during the Prayag Kumbh Mela in 2019.
The temple’s core structure rests upon a raised platform with three levels. Five mandapas grace the middle, housing the garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) and lining the entrance passage. The Shri Ram Darbar, situated on the first floor, comprises five halls for various purposes, each adorned with ornate shikharas in Nagara style. The temple complex also features dedicated shrines for Surya, Bhagwati, Ganesh, and Shiva, with additional temples for Annapurna and Hanuman on the northern and southern arms.
A strong emphasis on environmental preservation is evident, with 70% of the 70-acre area dedicated to green spaces, promoting water conservation. Accessibility is ensured through ramps, lifts, and amenities catering to the elderly and differently-abled visitors. The temple boasts 366 columns adorned with sixteen idols each, representing various incarnations of deities. The sanctum sanctorum adheres to scriptures, being octagonal in shape.
The sprawling complex covers approximately 10 acres, with an additional 57 acres developed for auxiliary facilities like prayer halls, educational centers, a museum, and a cafeteria. Larsen & Toubro spearheaded the construction, with assistance from various institutes and organizations for soil testing, concrete supply, and design aspects. Notably, the temple’s construction employed 600,000 cubic feet of sandstone from Baansi in Rajasthan, eschewing iron and steel in favor of copper plates for stone fusion.
The inauguration of the Ram Mandir held cultural significance, with Thailand symbolically contributing soil to the Ram Janmabhoomi, echoing their earlier gesture of sending water from two rivers to honor the temple. The final blueprint of the temple includes dedicated shrines for Surya, Ganesha, Shiva, Durga, Vishnu, and Brahma within the temple grounds, as per the temple trust’s vision.
Construction
On June 22, 2023, Nripendra Misra, chairman of the Temple Construction Committee, announced the completion of the ground floor of the three-story temple, anticipating its opening to devotees in January 2024. The Ram Mandir Teerth Kshetra Trust selected January 22, 2024, as the auspicious date for the consecration ceremony, following guidance from Hindu astrologers.
In preparation for the Prana Pratishtha (consecration) ceremony, the Government of Uttar Pradesh allocated ₹100 crore (US$13 million) for ‘Ramotsav,’ a series of religious events spanning 826 local bodies across Uttar Pradesh. The Ram Paduka Yatra, beginning in December 2023 and concluding with grand celebrations from Makar Sankranti on January 16, 2024, traced Rama’s 14-year exile from Ayodhya along the Ram Van Gaman Path. Extensive arrangements were made by the trust, the Uttar Pradesh government, and Ayodhya city administrators to accommodate devotees and guests from around the world. Stringent security measures were implemented in and around the temple premises, with the Uttar Pradesh government declaring a public holiday for the occasion, and the Indian government and some state governments announcing a half-day holiday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was invited to conduct the Prana Pratishtha of the newly crafted idol in the sanctum sanctorum. Ahead of the ceremony, he observed an 11-day fast, consuming only coconut water and fruits and sleeping on the ground at night. The consecration ceremony took place on January 22, 2024, from 12:15 PM to 12:45 PM IST. Prime Minister Modi encouraged every Indian to light diyas to commemorate the occasion, likening the celebration to Diwali.
During the event, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, and Prime Minister Modi addressed the guests. Modi portrayed Rama as a symbol of righteousness and unity, highlighting the temple as a testament to India’s cultural resilience and its role in shaping a new India based on social harmony, economic prosperity, and scientific advancement. Adityanath celebrated the Ram Mandir as a triumph of faith and perseverance, praising the devotion of millions who contributed to its construction. Bhagwat emphasized the temple’s significance as a symbol of national pride and the revival of India’s cultural heritage.
Prominent figures from various fields, including industrialists, scientists, actors, army officers, spiritual leaders, and Padma awardees, were in attendance. The event was organized by the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra.
While the four Shankaracharyas hold paramount importance in Hindu matters, none of the four cardinal mathas participated in the ceremony, citing various reasons. However, representatives from some mathas, including Sringeri Sharada Peetham, expressed support and blessings for the event. Swami Sadanand Saraswati of Dwarka Sharada Peetham welcomed the ceremony as a long-awaited moment, explaining the absence of the Shankaracharyas due to the expected massive crowd. Sankara Vijayendra Saraswati of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, previously involved in Ayodhya case talks, did attend.
