New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to Ayodhya -- 29 years after his last visit to the temple town -- where he participated in a "Bhoomi Pujan" or a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the building of a grand Ram temple there. After the ceremony which saw PM laying a silver brick for a grand Ram temple, he addressed a gathering of spiritual leaders who had come to attend the grand event.
"India is emotional as decades of wait has ended. Crores won't believe that they have seen this day in our lifetime. For years, our Ram Lalla (infant Lord Ram) lived beneath a tent, now he will reside in a grand temple built by Ram bhakts. Today, Ram Janambhoomi has been liberated," said PM Modi, who began his address chanting "Siyavar Ram Chandra ki Jai!" and "Jai Siya Ram" as he addressed some 170 people at the "Bhoomi Pujan" ceremony.
PM Modi began his visit to Ayodhya by offering prayers at the Hanumangarhi temple in Ayodhya - a shrine to Lord Hanuman. He then went to Ramjanmabhoomi or the birthplace of Lord Ram to pray at the shrine to "Ram Lalla", the infant Lord Ram, before proceeding to the site of the main "Bhoomi Pujan" ceremony for a Ram Temple.
The guest list for the grand event has been severely trimmed in view of coronavirus. Besides PM Modi, 50 VIPs including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat attended the ceremony.
Here are the live updates on 'Bhoomi Pujan' ceremony at Ayodhya:
Aug 06, 2020 05:33 (IST)
Rajiv Gandhi Paved Way For Ram Temple, Wrong For Anybody To Claim Credit, Says Kamal Nath
Senior Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Wednesday said that late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was the first person to pave the way for the construction of the Ram Temple and it is wrong if anybody attempts to take credit for the same, reported news agency ANI. Talking to reporters, Kamal Nath said, "Today is a historic day in our country, for a long time every Indian wanted construction of Ram Mandir to begin. Rajiv Gandhi ji had opened the lock in 1985. He said in 1989 that there will be Ram Rajya and temple should be built. If someone tries to take credit, it is wrong."
Aug 06, 2020 04:20 (IST)
India, Nepal Connected Through Ram-Janaki, Share Strong Relationship: Nepal Envoy Nilamber Acharya
Nepal's Ambassador to India Nilamber Acharya on Wednesday said that both countries are connected through Lord Ram and Sita and "share a deep and strong relationship", reported news agency ANI. Speaking on the day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the Nepal envoy said, "PM Modi laid Ram Temple's foundation stone in Ayodhya. Connected through Ram-Sita, relationship between the two countries is deep and strong. Ram-Janaki continues to inspire the relationship to become more cooperative and strong in modern times." The remarks come amid tensions between India and Nepal following the release of new map by the KP Oli government.
Aug 06, 2020 00:24 (IST)
Mamata Banejee Silent On Ayodhya Because Of "Appeasement" Politics: Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankar
West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Wednesday celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya by lighting lamps at the Raj Bhawan and wondered whether the "silence" of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is because of her "appeasement" politics, reported news agency PTI. The temple complex at Ayodhya "will become a symbol of modern India based on the ideals of Ramrajya", Mr Dhankhar said, adding that the groundbreaking ceremony will be a moment of pride and honour for every Indian. "The Bhoomi Pujan at Ram Mandir is a matter of pride and honour for all Indian. Long wait over-thanks to historic judicial verdict. Appeasement Silence Stance @MamataOfficial resonates," he tweeted. The Bengal Governor also shared an illustration on the page of the Part III of the Indian Constitution on the micro-blogging site.
