‘Ram aa gaye,’ says PM Modi after ceremony; Amid dhols, chants, rallies, Hindus across the world say ‘Jai Shri Ram’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that after years of struggle, “Ram Lalla (child Lord Ram) is here”.

Addressing a gathering of thousands of people in Ayodhya, following the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ rituals at Ram temple, he said that he is still “shaking” from the spiritual experience of the inauguration of Ram temple, which happened four years after the landmark judgment by the Supreme Court.

The Prime Minister said that Ram is “not a dispute” but “a solution”.

“I have firm belief and immense faith that today, the devotees of Ram are completely absorbed in this historic moment. The devotees of Ram, in every corner of the country and the world, are deeply feeling this. This moment is divine, this moment is the holiest of all,” he stated.

PM Modi also praised the Indian judiciary, saying that they ensured justice, referring to the landmark judgment in the Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid dispute.

“The legal battle over the existence of Lord Ram went on for decades. I would like to express my gratitude to the judiciary of India for doing justice,” he said at the event.

He added that Lord Ram is the “spirit of Indian Constitution”.

Lauding the historic moment of the temple inauguration, the Prime Minister said that Indians have tackled a “complicated past” but the future looks bright from now on.

He said that he is overjoyed that Lord Ram will no longer reside in a tent.

“Today our Ram has arrived after generations of waiting. On this auspicious occasion, congratulations to everyone. There is so much to tell, but there is a lump in my throat,” he said.

He further said, “January 22, 2024 is not merely a date but marks the advent of a new era. The legal battle over the existence of Lord Ram went on for decades. Ram is mentioned in the first verse in our Constitution, yet it took so many decades for this to happen. That Constitution finally holds true to its mention.”

“Today, I also apologise to Lord Shri Ram. There must be something lacking in our effort, sacrifice and penance that we could not do this work for so many centuries. Today the work has been completed. I believe that Lord Shri Ram will definitely forgive us today,” he said.

The Prime Minister said, “I got the opportunity to travel from Sagar to Saryu. From Sagar to Saryu, the same festive spirit of Ram’s name is visible everywhere. Ram is not fire, Ram is energy. Ram is not a dispute, Ram is the solution. Ram is not just ours, Ram is everyone’s. Ram is not current, Ram is eternal.”

He termed the Ram Mandir opening as a “humbling moment”. He urged all to light a Ram Jyoti at home. He also took a dig at those who questioned India’s social fabric.

The Prime Minister noted that he heard many verses from the epic Ramayana while reaching the temple for the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony.

After the Pran Pratishtha ceremony, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath presented a model of the Ram temple, made in silver, to Prime Minister and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.

Hindus across the world say ‘Jai Shri Ram’

Amid the sounds of dhols and firecrackers, distribution of sweets, rallies and chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’, Hindus in India and abroad came together to celebrate the ‘Prana Pratishtha’ ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya on 22 January, 2024.
The US, where Indian-Americans make up approximately 1.35 per cent of the population, kicked off the celebrations almost a week before the temple’s consecration with massive car rallies in Houston and California.

Carrying saffron banners with images of Ram Lalla and the temple, more than 1,100 Hindus took part in a Bay Area car rally, and a huge crowd gathered at the iconic Times Square in New York, singing hymns in praise of Lord Ram.

Laddos were also distributed as ‘prasad’ by the members of the ‘Overseas Friends of Ram Mandir’ at Times Square.
In addition, the US Chapter of the VHP erected over 40 billboards in 10 states, including Texas, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, and Georgia.

Over 100 Tesla-owning Hindus gathered at Sri Bhaktha Anjaneya Temple in Maryland and arranged their cars in such a way that it formed the word “Ram” when seen from a bird’s eye view.

“This is a huge accomplishment after 500 years of struggle. Congratulations to my Hindu friends and my constituency and around the world. May you all be blessed,” Congressman Rich McCormick said in a statement, greeting the Hindu community.

The event was broadcast live at approximately 300 locations across the US, including at Times Square which was lit up with vibrant colours and Lord Ram’s images.

In Mauritius, where the population consists of around 48 per cent Hindus the community came together to light ‘diyas’ at the temples and recited the ‘Ramayan Paath.’

Car rallies were also organised in London as well as Sydney, amidst chants and bhajans in praise of the deity.
In London, the rally commenced from The City Pavillion on Collier Road and travelled through East London before returning to the starting point.

January 22 was declared as ‘Ayodhya Ram Mandir Day’ in the towns of Oakville and Brampton in Canada’s Ontario province.

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown and his Oakville counterpart Rob Burton said the consecration “holds immense cultural, religious, and historical significance for Hindus worldwide, signifying the culmination of a centuries-old dream.”
In the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago, Hindus organised cultural events and sang hymns in praise of their deity on Sunday.

In France ‘Ram Rath Yatra’ will start from Place De La Chapelle at 12 pm and culminate at the Eiffel Tower’s, Place De Trocadero, by 3 pm.

A ceremony at the Ganesha temple in La Chapelle will include an elaborate puja, aarti, prasad distribution, and a cultural show.

In Nepal, Janakpur, which is considered to be the birthplace of Lord Ram’s wife Sita, was lit up and 1,25,000 lamps will illuminate the Janaki temple today, along with ‘aartis’ in praise of Lord Ram and Sita.