PM Modi, RSS chief hoist saffron flag atop Ram Mandir shikhara in Ayodhya

PM Modi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat took part in an aarti at the Ram Mandir before the noon flag-hoisting ceremony, where the sacred saffron 'Dharma Dhwaj' will be raised atop the 191-ft shikhara

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat hoisted the saffron flag atop the shikhara (spire) of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya on Tuesday, marking the completion of the temple’s construction.

 

  PM Modi hoisted the sacred saffron ‘Dharma Dhwaj’ atop the temple’s 191-foot shikhara at noon. The flag features three sacred symbols, Om, the Sun and the Kovidara tree.

 

• The Sun represents Lord Ram’s Suryavansh lineage

• Om stands for the eternal spiritual sound

• The Kovidara tree is believed to be a hybrid of the Mandar and Parijat trees, created by Rishi Kashyap, reflecting ancient knowledge of plant hybridisation

 

Details of the ‘Dharma Dhwaj’

 

The flag hoisted is a right-angled triangular saffron banner, 10 ft high and 20 ft long. It carries the symbols of a radiant Sun, an ‘Om’, and the Kovidara tree. The flagstaff has been built in the traditional Nagara architectural style.

 

The ceremony is being held on the auspicious Panchami of Shukla Paksha in the month of Margashirsha, coinciding with the Abhijit Muhurat linked to the wedding of Lord Ram and Mata Sita.

World is 'Ram-may', says PM Modi

 

After hoisting the saffron Dharma Dhwaja atop the shikhara of the Ram Mandir, PM Modi described the moment as one that completes a civilisational journey kept alive for 500 years. He said the event reflects a healing of “wounds of centuries” and marks the fulfilment of a long-standing collective resolve.

 

Addressing devotees at the ‘Dwajarohan’ ceremony, PM Modi said, “Today, the entire India and the world is Ram-may. There is extraordinary satisfaction in the heart of every Ram devotee. There is boundless gratitude. There is unfathomable supernatural bliss. The wounds of centuries are being healed. The pain of centuries is being put to rest today. The resolve of centuries is being fulfilled today. Today is the completion of that sacrifice whose fire remained lit for 500 years..."

 

He added that installing the Dharma Dhwaja at the top of the temple holds deep symbolic meaning. “Today, the energy of Lord Ram is established at the shikhar of the Grand Ram Temple in the form of this Dharma Dhwaja,” he said.

 

PM Modi explained that the flag represents the rebirth of India’s ancient civilisation and the guiding ideals of Ram Rajya. “This Dharma Dhwaja is not just a flag. It is the flag of the rejuvenation of Indian civilisation... For the coming thousands of centuries, this flag will proclaim Lord Ram's values. Truth is Dharma. There should be no discrimination or pain, and there is peace and happiness. There should be no poverty, and no one is helpless,” he said.

 

A historic moment for the nation, says Mohan Bhagwat

 

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat called the ceremony an event of “immense historical, emotional and spiritual significance", saying it represents the fulfilment of centuries of hope, devotion and sacrifice.

 

He underlined that many people who were not visible in the movement also kept their faith alive. “Those who were in the background also kept hoping for the construction of the temple,” he said.

 

Calling the moment deeply spiritual, he added, “‘Bhagwa’ is the colour of this flag, it is 'Dharmdhwaj'. The whole world will be run by that flag.”

 

Aarti at the Ram Mandir

 

Ahead of the Dhwajarohan (flag-hoisting) ceremony, PM Modi and Mohan Bhagwat took part in an aarti at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. 

 

  Before the aarti, PM Modi offered prayers at the Sheshavatar Mandir, dedicated to Lord Ram’s younger brother Lakshman. The shrine is located inside the temple complex. PM Modi also prayed at the Saptmandir, which houses shrines dedicated to Maharshi Vashishtha, Maharshi Vishwamitra, Maharshi Agastya, Maharshi Valmiki, Devi Ahilya, Nishadraj Guha and Mata Shabari.

 

PM Modi’s roadshow in Ayodhya

 

Earlier in the day, PM Modi held a roadshow in Ayodhya, where large crowds waved the tricolour as he travelled towards the temple for the ceremony. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath welcomed him at the airport before the event.

 

CM Yogi described the moment as the "renaissance of Sanatan culture".

 

In a post on X, he wrote, "In the foremost of the seven sacred cities, the divine Shri Ayodhya Dham, today, from the sacred hands of the honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, a grand saffron flag is about to be hoisted atop the spire of the Lord Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple."

 

(With agency inputs)