Inauguration of Hindu Temple in Ayodhya: Indian Prime Minister Modi Unveils Monument on Former Babri Mosque Grounds.
He proclaimed it as the dawn of “a new era” for India—the temple now stands in place of a 16th-Century mosque dismantled by Hindu mobs in 1992, triggering deadly riots that claimed nearly 2,000 lives. A ceremony in Ayodhya witnessed the participation of top film stars and cricketers, though it faced opposition from some Hindu seers and the majority of the political opposition. Critics accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of exploiting the event for political gain ahead of the upcoming general elections, suggesting that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) might seek votes in the name of the newly constructed temple in a country where 80% of the population is Hindu.
The government’s move was also criticized for leveraging a religious celebration in a nation constitutionally defined as secular. For the Muslim community, India’s largest minority, the ceremony stirred apprehension and resurrected painful memories, as expressed by members in Ayodhya leading up to the event.
Televised live, the ceremony showcased Mr. Modi participating in religious rituals within the temple’s sanctum alongside priests and Mohan Bhagwat, the head of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)—the ideological foundation of Hindu nationalist parties. Mr. Modi declared, “Today’s date will go down in history,” expressing congratulations to the entire nation on this historic occasion after years of struggle and sacrifices, asserting that Lord Ram has finally returned home.
The temple’s construction, funded by private donations totaling $217 million (£170 million), unfolded with the inauguration of only the ground floor, with the rest slated for completion by year-end. Part of a comprehensive city revitalization project estimated to cost over $3 billion, the temple’s construction fulfills a long-standing Hindu nationalist commitment. The movement for the temple’s construction played a pivotal role in propelling the BJP to political prominence in the 1990s.
Amid a festive atmosphere, chanting Hindu devotees, numbering in the tens of thousands, celebrated with flags and drums. Saffron flags adorned the city streets, alongside marigold-festooned banners featuring the faces of Mr. Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Renowned personalities like Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan and cricketer Sachin Tendulkar attended the event.
In various northern cities, Hindus lit lamps, while saffron flags with images of Lord Ram fluttered on rooftops, including parts of Delhi. Cinemas broadcasted the event, and large screens relayed images from Ayodhya to town squares and residential areas.
The ceremony, named Pran Pratishtha, translating to “establishment of life force” from Sanskrit, lasted about an hour. Hindus believe that chanting mantras and performing rituals around a fire infuse sacred life into an idol or a deity’s photograph.
In 2019, the Supreme Court awarded the disputed land to Hindus after a prolonged legal battle following the mosque’s demolition. Muslims were allocated a plot outside the city for a mosque, but construction has not yet commenced.
While some members of the Muslim community in Ayodhya acknowledged Hindus’ right to build the temple following the Supreme Court’s decision, others expressed dissatisfaction. One individual conveyed acceptance of the decision but with a sense of resignation, while another acknowledged happiness over the temple’s construction while lamenting its foundation on the ruins of a mosque.
The newly constructed three-story temple, crafted from pink sandstone and anchored by black granite, sprawls across 7.2 acres within a 70-acre complex. A 51-inch (4.25-ft) statue of the deity, commissioned for the temple, was unveiled the previous week and now resides on a marble pedestal in the sanctum sanctorum.
However, a discordant note emerged as some religious seers argued against performing rituals in an incomplete temple, contending that it contradicted Hinduism. Many opposition leaders chose to stay away from the ceremony. Opposition-ruled states announced alternative plans for the day, with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee leading an all-faith rally after praying at the iconic temple to goddess Kali in Kolkata. The eastern state of Odisha unveiled extensive plans for pilgrims to visit the Jagannath temple in Puri.
Authorities anticipate over 150,000 visitors daily once the Ayodhya temple is fully operational, prompting the construction of new hotels and the refurbishment of existing ones. The recent opening of a new airport and railway station complements the efforts to transform the city into a “world-class” destination for pilgrims and tourists. However, locals have voiced concerns, asserting that their homes, shops, and religious structures have been either entirely or partially demolished to facilitate infrastructure development.
