Ayodhya’s tryst with Ram Temple today

Shahira Naim & Vibha Sharma

Ayodhya/New Delhi, August 4

After decades of legal struggle for building a Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya, the ‘bhoomi pujan’ ceremony for the temple will conclude within one crucial minute i.e. from 12.44 pm to 12.45 pm, the most auspicious window, on Wednesday.

During this period, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will offer the five-metalled ‘navratan’ (nine precious gems engraved) lotus flower and the presiding priests will proclaim “Pratishthauyami” (installed), bringing the ceremony to an end.

Ayodhya has been decked up for the grand event keeping in mind safety measures amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The holy city is resplendent in rainbow colours — from multi-coloured arches welcoming visitors, to pink lights illuminating mandirs and ghats of the Saryu, with saffron and yellow marigold flowers decoration at the puja site and Ram ki Paeri adding dazzle.

Incidentally, Iqbal Ansari, the son of original litigant of the title suit, Hashim Ansari, was the first to get the invite. “I believe it was Lord Ram’s wish that I receive the first invitation. I accept it. May Hindus and Muslims live in harmony in Ayodhya,” he said. Another eminent citizen of Ayodhya, Padma Shri awardee Mohammad Sharif or ‘Sharif chacha’, has been invited. He is known for disposing of unclaimed bodies with dignity. The laying of foundation stone for the ‘grand Ram Temple’, a promise by the ruling BJP in its manifestoes over the years, will bring to end the decades-long movement that catapulted the saffron party to the political centre-stage. The RSS and its affiliates have planned ‘Diwali-like celebrations’ to mark the day.

Read also: Indian-Americans opt for muted celebration

Incidentally, a few among the current BJP leaders can claim a direct link to the ‘Ram Janmabhoomi andolan’. PM Modi was part of the ‘Rath Yatra’ led by veteran LK Advani in 1990 to support the ‘andolan’ of the VHP, a Sangh affiliate. Around 30 years later, PM Modi will perform the ground-breaking ceremony for the temple, an event that will be watched live by millions of Indian, including Advani who is credited with helping the BJP reclaim the agitation.

• 11.30 am Arrives in Ayodhya from Lucknow by a helicopter
• 11.40 am Attends ‘puja’ at Hanumangarhi temple
• 11.50 am Proceeds to Ram Janmabhoomi complex
• 12.10 pm Plants ‘Parijat’ (Indian night jasmine) sapling
• 12.30 pm Performs ‘bhoomi pujan’
• 12.45 pm Delivers address, unveils plaque
• 2 pm Flies back to Lucknow

1-minute Auspicious window

PM will perform ‘shila pujan’, ‘bhoomi pujan’ and ‘karma shila pujan’ and lay a 40-kg silver brick to symbolise the start of temple construction

135 seers among 175 on guest list

• 175 prominent figures, including 135 seers, have been invited from different parts of the country
• Only 5 — PM Modi, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Guv Anandiben Patel, CM Yogi Adityanath and Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas president Mahant Nritya Gopaldas — will occupy stage
• Key faces of temple struggle — ex-Dy PM LK Advani, BJP leaders Uma Bharti and Murli Manohar Joshi — will stay away