It was a morning of a kind that woke up the ancient city of Ayodhya on Tuesday. The temples were flooded with thousands of followers giving deafening cries with the chants of Jai Shri Ram.
A 10-foot-tall, 20-foot-long triangular saffron flag was hoisted by PM Narendra Modi together with RSS leader Mohan Bhagwat, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, as part of the auspicious Abhijit Muhurat, -a constellation that is considered sacred by Hinduism.
The celebration was called Dhwaj Arohan and was celebrated during a festival called Vivah Panchami, the day in which the marriage of Lord Ram and Devi Sita was commemorated.
And this gave a spiritual additional significance to an already momentous occasion. It was also on the same day that the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur was commemorated, who had meditated in Ayodhya during the 17 th century (48 hours).
Symbolism Woven in Saffron
The divine flag, which is spread over the Nagara-style Shikhar of the temple is symbolic.
It is stamped with a shining sun, a symbol of the Suryavansh of Lord Ram, and the sacred syllable of Om, or primeval spiritual force, and the Kovidara tree, which is a symbol of Ram Rajya.
These are the aspects that represent centuries of devotion and sacrifice. Prime minister Modi said the flag was no longer just a piece of fabric blown in the wind but the flag of the restoration of Indian civilisation, one displaying pride, unity and perpetuation of culture.
Generations of Waiting
PM Modi, through his words, talked of centuries-old wounds that just started healing, noting that this process required 500 years to be made possible.
One pilgrim expressed the general feeling in a perfect way: This is time after 500 years. Our forebears awaited and made sacrifices to this day. We are blessed to witness it.” One of the followers referred to it as a blessing that was obtained through sacrifices of generations.
The Prime Minister encouraged the people to imbibe the values of Lord Ram as India embarks on the next stage of development, noting that Ram is not divided but rather brought together by emotion and devotion rather than by ancestry.
The temple complex with 87 carved stone episodes of the Valmiki Ramayana and 79 bronze-cast representations of the Indian culture is a monument to architectural greatness and religious heritage.
Having carefully made security provisions that involved bombs, VVIP protection teams, and rapid response teams, more than 7,000 special invitees were present to witness this historic milestone.
Since the saffron flag now flutters at the Ayodhya skyline, it bears the aspirations, hopes, and dreams of millions who view it as an attestation that the light of Dharma will always prevail.
Image credit: X
