The Ayodhya Ram Mandir, also known as Lord Shri Ram Temple, is a Hindu temple located in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India. The temple has been the center of a long-standing religious and political dispute in India. Ayodhya, where the temple is, is considered a sacred place as it’s the birthplace of Lord Shri Ram.
Today 22 January is a historical date for Hindus of the world. This is beginning of new Era but it has long history and every one must know it . Here in brief I would be narrating events unfolded since 1528.
History of Ayodhya Ram Mandir
1528-Temple demolished to make way for Mosque
According to most popular version which finds mention in government gazette, Mughal ruler Babur’s general Mir Baqi constructed a mosque after razing Ram’s birthplace in Ayodhya’s Ramkot.
1853-Dispute during British India
Religious violence over the site of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya occurred for the first time in 1853, under the rule of Nawab Wajid Shah of Awadh, the Nirmohis, a Hindu sect, asserted that a Hindu temple had been demolished during Babur’s era to make way for the mosque
In 1859 the Britishers installed a fence to partition the site into two sections. Muslims were granted permission to pray within the mosque, while the outer court was designated for Hindus.
In January 1885, Mahant Raghubir das submitted a request to the Faizabad district court , seeking approval to construct a canopy on the Ramchabutra, a raised platform situated outside the mosque. The plea was denied.
1949-Ram Lalla idols inside Babri Mosque
Idol of Lord Ram surfaces inside Babri masjid. One Gopal Singh Visharad filed a petition before Faizabad Court to worship the deity. Hashim Ansari , a resident of Ayodhya approached the court saying the idols should be removed and it be allowed to remain a Masjid. The Government locked the place but priests were allowed to perform daily Puja.
1961-Plea Seeks restoration of property to Muslim
A petitioner filed a suit pleading for restoration of the property to Muslims. The Sunni Central Wakf Board filed suit in Faizabad civil court declaring Babri Mosque as property of board.
1980-Compaign launched to build temple
A committee led by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, was established with the objective of liberating the birthplace of Lord Ram and constructing a temple in his honour.
Ayodhya court orders mosque to be opened for Hindus to offer prayers in 1986 upon a plea by Hari Shankar Dubey, the district judge in Ayodhya issued an order to open the gates of the contested mosque, enabling Hindus to worship there. In response, Muslim formed Babri Mosque Action Committee in protest.
In compliance with the court’s directive , the government under Rajiv Gandhi ordered the unlocking of the gates of babri Masjid.
Prior to the court’s decision , only a Hindu priest had the authority to conduct an annual puja. Following the verdict , all Hindus were granted access to the site , leading to the mosque assuming a dual role as a Hindu Temple.
1989-VHP lays the foundation of Ayodhya Ram Mandir
VHP initiated the construction of a Ram temple on the adjacent land to Babri Masjid. Justice Deoki nandan Agarwal , former VHP Vice-president , filed a case requesting the relocation of the mosque . Subsequently four pending suits in the Faizabad court were transferred to a special bench of the High Court.
1990-The Rath Yatra
Under the leadership of its then President LK Advani, the BJP organised a national Rath Yatra from Somnath in Gujrat to Ayodhya. The primary objective of this rally was to express support for the Ram temple agitation, which was being led by the VHP at that time.
The procession included thousands of Kar Sevaks, or volunteers, affiliated with the Sangh Parivar. Commencing in Somnath Gujrat , on September 25, 1990, the yatra traversed numerous villages and cities. Covering an approximate distance of 300 km each day, LK Advani, leading the yatra, frequently addressed as many as six public rallies in a single day.
On 23 October 1990, them PM VP Singh granted authorisation to Lalu Prasad Yadav , the CM of Bihar to arrest LK Advani . He was taken into preventive custody as his procession crossed the border between Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
1992-The Mosque is demolished
On 6 December 1992 the disputed Babri Masjid was demolished by the Kar Sevaks in the presence of leader from Shiv Sena, VHP and BJP. The destruction of the mosque triggrered communal roits throughout the country. It took more than 2000 lives in roits.
2002-Godhra train fire and Gujrat riots
Coach No. S-6 of Sabarmati Express carrying Kar Sevaks from Ayodhya to Gujrat was burnt near Godhra Station. 58 people were burnt alive. Leading to Gujrat riots which claimed 1000 lives.
2003-ASI conducts survey
In 2003 , ASI surveyed the disputed site and reported evidence of a significant Hindu complex beneath the mosque. However, Muslim organisation disputed these findings , leading to disageements regarding the historical interpretation of the site
2010-Allahabad HC divided the disputed site in three parts
In 2010 the Allahabad High Court delivered its judgement on the four title suits about the dispute. The High Court ruled that the disputed land should be divided into three parts:
One third allocated to Ram Lalla, represented by the Hindu Mahasabha
One third to the Islamic Waqf Board and
The remaining third to the Nirmohi Akhara.
Subsequently , in December both the Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha and the Sunni Waqf Board approached the Supreme Court’s decision.
2011-All Three Sides approached Court
All three parties , the Nirmohi Akhara, Ram Lalla Virajman and Sunni Waqf Board appealed against the Allahabad High Court verdict.
The Supreme Court stayed the HC order of splitting the disputed site in 3 parts.
2019-Supreme Court asks Government to handover Land for Ayodhya Ram Mandir construction
On November 9. 2019 a five judge bench of the Supreme Court issued a verdict ordering the disputed land of 2.77 acres to be transferred to a trust, to be established by the Government of India, for the construction of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple. Additionally the court directed the government to allocate an alternative five acres of land at a different location to the Sunni Waqf Board for the construction of a Mosque.
The five judge bench that issued the order was led by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and other four judges were Justice SA Bobade, Justice DY Chadrachud, Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice S Abdul Nazeer.
The trust formed for the construction of the Ram Temple was named Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra. The trust comprises 15 members.
2020-Foundation Stone laying Ceremony of Ayodhya Ram Mandir
On 05 August 2020, PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Ram temple.
22 January 2024-Consecration ceremony (Pran Pratishtha) of Ayodhya Ram Mandir (Ram Lalla)
The construction of the temple was undertaken by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, a trust formed by the Indian government to oversee the construction of the temple. It has been completed and today on 22 January 2024 at Abhijeet muhurat the Pran Pratishtha ceremony is being held as it is believed that Lord Rama was born during Abhijeet muhurat .
Architecture and Features of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir
The Ayodhya Ram Mandir is a grand temple built in the Nagara style of temple architecture, characterized by its towering spires or shikharas. The temple is built using pink sandstone and is spread across an area of 2.77 acres. The temple is surrounded by a large courtyard and has several smaller shrines dedicated to other Hindu deities. The most striking feature of the temple is the giant Shaligram stone, a black stone believed to represent Lord Ram and brought from the Gandaki river in Nepal.
The temple is 161 feet high and has three floors, each with a different purpose. The first floor is dedicated to Lord Ram, while the second floor is dedicated to Lord Hanuman, and the third floor is a museum showcasing the history and culture of Ayodhya.
The temple complex also includes a yajnashala or a hall for conducting yajnas or Hindu fire rituals, a community kitchen, and a medical facility. The temple complex is spread over 67 acres and is expected to become a major cultural and religious center, attracting millions of devotees from around the world.
Significance of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir for Hindus
The Ayodhya Ram Mandir is considered to be one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus. It is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram and is considered a sacred site. The construction of the temple is seen as a symbolic victory for the Hindu community, who had been fighting for the temple’s construction for decades.
The temple is expected to contribute to the development of Ayodhya as a major religious and cultural center. It is also expected to create jobs and generate economic growth in the region. The temple is expected to attract millions of devotees from across India and the world, contributing to the development of Ayodhya as a major religious and cultural center.
Conclusion
The Ayodhya Ram Mandir is not just a temple, but a symbol of faith, unity, and cultural heritage. The construction of the temple is a landmark event in the history of India, signifying the triumph of truth, justice, and righteousness. The temple is a testimony to the enduring spirit of the Hindu community and their unwavering devotion to Lord Ram.