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Ram Temple
India on Wednesday strongly rejected Pakistan's criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's participation at a ceremony in Ayodhya's Ram temple and said the neighbouring country, with a deeply strained record of repression of minorities, has no moral standing to lecture others. "We have seen the reported remarks and reject them with the contempt they deserve. As a country with a deeply stained record of bigotry, repression, and systemic mistreatment of its minorities," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. "Pakistan has no moral standing to lecture others. Rather than delivering hypocritical homilies, Pakistan would do better to turn its gaze inwards and focus on its own abysmal human rights record," he said. Pakistan had criticised Modi's participation at the flag hoisting ceremony at the Ram temple on Tuesday that marked the formal completion of its construction. The Pakistan foreign office expressed "deep concern" over the ceremony and referred to ...
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the "wounds and pain of centuries are healing" as India marked the formal completion of the Ram temple here, and used the occasion to draw a broader national roadmap aimed at achieving the goal of a developed India by 2047. Addressing a gathering after hoisting a saffron flag atop the Ram temple to mark the ceremonial completion of its construction, Modi said the moment symbolised a cultural resurgence for the nation. "Today, the entire nation and the world are immersed in Ram. Centuries-old wounds are healing, centuries-long pain is finding closure, as the resolve that burned for 500 years finally reached its fulfilment," Modi said. Calling the flag-hoisting "a unique and divine moment", the prime minister said the sacred flag atop the Ram temple would stand as a testimony to the fact that "truth ultimately triumphs over falsehood". Congratulating all the Ram devotees and those who contributed to the temple's construction, Modi said ...
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday said those who sacrificed their life for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya must be in peace today as the hoisting of the saffron flag atop the shrine marked the formal completion of its construction. Prime Minister Narendra Modi ceremonially hoisted the saffron flag atop the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Speaking at the flag-hoisting ceremony at the temple, Bhagwat said a flag is always a symbol, and the installation of such a towering flag at the temple had taken considerable time, just as the construction of the temple did. He noted that many people had dreamt of this day and several sacrificed their lives for it. "Their souls must have found peace today," Bhagwat said, recalling the names of some. "Those who worked in the background everyday also dreamt of Ram Mandir, now today that the ritualistic completion is over; the flag of 'Ram Rajya' has been hoisted," he added. "It has taken long to hoist such a tall flag. You all know how long it took to build the
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said the Dhwaj Arohan' flag hoisting ceremony at the Ram temple marks not only the completion of its construction but also symbolises the timeless values of 'Ram Rajya' and the enduring victory of faith. Hours ahead of the event, which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Adityanath said in a series of Hindi posts on X that a "golden chapter" is being added to the history of faith, civilisation and humanity. The grand saffron flag to be hoisted on the temple's shikhar' by the Honourable Prime Minister, in the august presence of the RSS Sarsanghchalak, is a symbol of our religious and cultural revival, he said. Calling the Ram temple the Rashtra Mandir, he described the flag as representing the invincibility of truth, the immortality of faith and the resurgence of culture. It is not merely a pennant, but a symbol of that inner strength which, in every era, tore through the darkness of
Ayodhya resonated with devotional fervour on Tuesday morning as thousands of devotees streamed into the temple town ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to ceremonially hoist a saffron flag atop the Ram temple, marking the formal completion of its construction. From the crack of dawn, chants of "Jai Shri Ram" echoed across the city as visiting seers and pilgrims termed the hoisting of the temple flag -- a sacred ceremony called "Dhwaj Arohan" -- one of historic fulfilment. Swami Narottamanand Giri, who arrived from Dalmau in Rae Bareli, said, "It is a day of immense fortune. This moment has come after great 'tapasya', and participating in the 'dhwaj arohan' is a matter of deep blessing." Ninety-five-year-old seer Devendranand Giri, who has witnessed the temple movement since its early days, said he never imagined he would see this moment in his lifetime. "At this age, watching the temple stand completed gives me unparalleled joy," he told PTI Videos. Gopal Rao, a special
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Ayodhya on Tuesday to ceremonially hoist a saffron flag on the spire of the Ram Janmbhoomi Temple, symbolising the completion of its construction. The right-angled triangular flag, measuring ten feet in height and twenty feet in length, bears the image of a radiant Sun symbolising the brilliance and valour of Lord Rama, with an 'Om' inscribed on it along with the image of Kovidara tree, a statement from the prime minister's office (PMO) said. The sacred saffron flag will convey a message of dignity, unity, and cultural continuity, embodying the ideals of Ram Rajya, the PMO said. The flag will rise atop a 'shikhar' constructed in the traditional North Indian Nagara architectural style, while the surrounding 800-metre Parkota, a circumambulatory enclosure built around the temple, designed in the South Indian architectural tradition, showcases the temple's architectural diversity, it said. During his stay in Ayodhya, the prime minister will visi
Since the consecration of Lord Ram at the newly constructed Ram Temple in Ayodhya on 22 January 2024, the city has experienced an overwhelming influx of devotees from across India and abroad. Over 5.5 crore visitors have come to offer prayers and seek blessings at the temple, the Uttar Pradesh government said in a statement on Friday. The surge in pilgrims has not been limited to the general public. Nearly 4.5 lakh VIPs, including Union ministers, governors, chief ministers from various states, and prominent figures from the entertainment, business, and sports sectors, have also paid their respects at the temple. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ensured that arrangements for darshan are efficient and convenient, directing authorities to guarantee that all visitors, whether ordinary devotees or distinguished guests, experience a smooth visit, the statement read. With the completion of the grand temple, Ayodhya has become a major global religious destination. In respon
A total of 45 kilograms of pure gold has been used in the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, according to Nripendra Mishra, the chairman of the Ram Temple Construction Committee. Mishra informed on Friday, a day after the consecration of the Ram Darbar on the first floor of the temple complex. He said the estimated value of the gold, excluding taxes, is around Rs 50 crore. Gold has been used extensively in the doors on the ground floor of the temple and the throne of Lord Ram. He added that gold work is still ongoing in the Sheshavatar Temple. While the main structure of the Ram Temple has been completed, other parts of the temple complex, including the museum, auditorium, and guest house, are still under construction. These are expected to be completed by December 2025. Following the consecration of the Ram Darbar, Mishra said arrangements are being made for controlled public access to the sacred space. For now, only a limited number of devotees will be allowed to visit
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has paid about Rs 400 crore in taxes to the government over the past five years, amid a surge in religious tourism, Trust Secretary Champat Rai said on Sunday. He said the amount was paid between February 5, 2020 and February 5, 2025. Of this, Rs 270 crore was paid as goods and services tax (GST), while the remaining Rs 130 crore was paid under various other tax categories, he said. Ayodhya has witnessed a tenfold increase in devotees and tourists, transforming it into a major religious tourism hub, and generating employment opportunities for locals, he said, adding that during the Maha Kumbh 1.26 crore devotees visited Ayodhya. In the last year, Ayodhya recorded 16 crore visitors, with 5 crore visiting the Ram temple. The trust's financial records are regularly audited by officials from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), Rai added.
The visiting hours for the Ram temple in Ayodhya have been extended, with the temple now opening an hour earlier at 6 am instead of 7 am. The new schedule, which also includes revised aarti timings, came into effect on Monday, the temple trust's media centre said. According to the updated schedule, devotees can enter the temple from 6:30 am to 11:50 am following the Shringar Aarti. The temple will then close at 12 pm for the Raj Bhog Aarti. Visiting hours will resume from 1 pm to 6:50 pm, after which the Sandhya Aarti will take place at 7 pm. Devotees will be allowed to visit until 9:45 pm, and the temple will finally close for the day after the Shayan Aarti at 10 pm, the trust said.