Thousands attend congregation to discuss construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya

Thousands of devotees thronged the temple town of Ayodhya on Sunday to attend VHP's marathon 'Dharam Sabha' for discussing construction of a Ram Temple there, with a senior religious leader asserting the dates for the same would be announced early next year.

Addressing the sabha after the inauguration marked by chanting of mantras at the Badey Bhaktmaal ki Bagia, Ramji Das of Nirmohi Akhara said:"The date for construction of the Ram temple will be declared in the 2019 Kumbh which will be held in Prayagraj".

"It is only a matter of few days, and I request you all to show some patience," the seer remarked.

The venue wore a festive look with placards, saffron flags and buntings carried by enthusiastic Ram devotees seen all over.

While bhajans of Lord Ram played at different places all along the route, the involvement of some Muslims led by member of Ayodhya Zila Panchayat , Babloo Khan who has been linked to the movement since the past three years, emphasised the composite culture of the town.

I have been associated with the Ram temple movement for last 3 years, and I feel that even the Muslims of Ayodhya want a Ram temple should be built. I am a Muslim, and I am welcoming the Ram devotees, Khan told PTI.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad claimed over 3 lakh people attended the congregation as devotees from all walks of life descended here to discuss the way forward for building the temple.

Senior VHP leader Champat Rai declared that no formula dividing the disputed land will be acceptable for temple construction at Ayodhya.

"We want the entire land for temple construction...no formula dividing the land is acceptable," he told the Dharam Sabha.

Though Rai did not spell out the details, his assertions are considered to be in reference to the Allahabad High court verdict dividing the land into three parts.

Nritya Gopaldas, the president of the Ram Janmbhoomi Nyas said, "such a large attendance shows that how much people from different walks of life are attached to the Ram temple.

"We respect the courts. We have great hopes from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. I request Adityanath to pave the way for construction of Ram temple", he said.

The religious congregation which lasted for nearly five hours saw around 50 seers from different ashrams and akhadas taking part in the religious meeting.

Saints from Haridwar, Chhattisgarh, Hrisikesh, Ujjain, Gujarat, Chitraoot, Prayagraj and Lucknow attended the congregation, said Mahant Ramdas of Nirmohi Akhada of Ayodhya.

Slogans of har ghar pe bhagwa chhayegaa, ram rajya phir aayegaa' and tel lagaao dabur kaa, naam mittaao Babar kaa' could be heard from various corners of the programme venue and also on the stretch of the road leading to it.

Senior religous leader Ram Bhadracharya claimed he had met a senior minister on Friday with regard to construction of the temple